Trailer Liights

I hooked my boat up to my PC, I have the adapter for 5 wire on my boat trailer, I have lights, turn signals, break lights, but when I back up the trailer breaks won't release, When in reverse the surge breaks should release. Is there a wire missing on the PC trailer plug in? The wires are neatly wrapped together so I can't tell how many there are.

  Lynn

Surge brakes work off the trailer coupler and have nothing to do with the trailer wiring.  To get surge brakes to release you need to pull forward and then there should be a knob you move into place to lock the hitch coupler so the coupler won't move which keeps the brakes from being applied when you backup.
Gary

Boat trailers with surge brakes have a 5 wire plug  compared to 4 wire plugs on trailers without surge brakes. When backing your boat down the ramp, as long as your trailer plug is plugged in to your tow vehicle it will back up fine. The fifth wire keeps the brakes from engaging as long as the tow vehicle is wired for it.

  Lynn

Lynn,
You are correct in thinking the 5th wire prevents the surge brakes from applying when backing. There is a small solenoid in the trailer's hitch that is activated by the 5th wire that is connected to the Reverse lamp circuit. When you connect to a 4 wire plug, you lose that connection. The 5th wire has nothing to do with braking while driving forward, it just prevents braking while backing.

Gary is correct about a physical release knob on the hitch. You must remember to reset it though before going down the road or you will not have the surge brakes.

It will be worth it to have a 5 wire plug wired to your vehicle if you use the boat a lot. Doing it manually is a pain!

Steve