Trailer Reverse

[wedge88]

Anyone with a 2022 experiencing an issue with the reverse lockout not engaging?  We have a very slight incline into our garage and I've felt it's taken everything my 3500HD has to get into the garage.  On our last attempt, I had to find the trailer lockout key as the wheels were completely locked.  My dad had his TXi (boatmate trailer) in our driveway after vacation so I hooked my truck up and his released as soon as I put it into reverse so I don't think it's my truck.  My last Malibu trailer had white reverse lights but I can't recall if my Axis trailer does or not but need to check.

I do have a service F150 so I was going to try that next before I dive into the trailer but thought I'd ask if anyone else is seeing this on a new trailer.  Pic is for reference of driveway slope.  No way my truck should struggle with this so I don't think it's releasing.  

[oldjeep]

I'd check the wires to the reverse solenoid and make sure one of them is not broken.   But also, if you tend to jog forward and backward on your sloped driveway that sometimes you only get a partial lockout because gravity pushed the boat down the hill when you stopped and the lockout is happening with partial engagement of the brakes.  

Edited July 5, 2022 by oldjeep

[wedge88]

37 minutes ago, oldjeep said:

I'd check the wires to the reverse solenoid and make sure one of them is not broken.   But also, if you tend to jog forward and backward on your sloped driveway that sometimes you only get a partial lockout because gravity pushed the boat down the hill when you stopped and the lockout is happening with partial engagement of the brakes.  

My plan is to check wiring after I attempt my other truck tonight. 

I will say that this trailer has a mess of cabling in the tongue.   Previous boats were zip-tied and somewhat organized chaos but not the case with this one.  Looks like they stuffed about 10' extra of each conductor (probably one harness for all trailer lengths) where I have to worry about pinching something every time I swing it in. I think that's probably why I'm attempting that as a last ditch, because I know it's going to turn into a 4+ hour project. 

I did intend to clean it up but finding it more and more annoying with the things I have to do on a brand new boat/trailer.   I've always enjoyed little boat projects but free time is scarce these days and patience is wearing thin with stupidity and cost-cutting measures from manufacturers that are charging premiums.

[asnowman]

In my 2019, the wiring was also very long, and the blue wire going to the reverse lockout had been pinched off about 4 times.  It looked like every time the tongue was swung out and locked back in place, they pinched that wire. Took about 6 feet of blue wire out, and connected it, it worked fine after that. 

Check in the area of the swing away tongue, i bet the wire has been broken.

[mgb1974]

I carry one of these with me for the same issues you are having. Sometimes on grass or inclines with back and forth it doesn't lock out all the way. I honestly just slap this on every time that Im backing up down a ramp or into the garage. 

https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Max-3006-8901-Magnetic-Lock-Out/dp/B08QW8CSYN/ref=asc_df_B08QW8CSYN/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=507841934787&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4700345859076045686&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015707&hvtargid=pla-1292026351614&psc=1

 

[dalt1]

1 hour ago, mgb1974 said:

I carry one of these with me for the same issues you are having. Sometimes on grass or inclines with back and forth it doesn't lock out all the way. I honestly just slap this on every time that Im backing up down a ramp or into the garage. 

https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Max-3006-8901-Magnetic-Lock-Out/dp/B08QW8CSYN/ref=asc_df_B08QW8CSYN/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=507841934787&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4700345859076045686&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015707&hvtargid=pla-1292026351614&psc=1

 

I would fix my wiring before having to do that every time. 

[Sparky450]

5 hours ago, mgb1974 said:

I carry one of these with me for the same issues you are having. Sometimes on grass or inclines with back and forth it doesn't lock out all the way. I honestly just slap this on every time that Im backing up down a ramp or into the garage. 

https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-Max-3006-8901-Magnetic-Lock-Out/dp/B08QW8CSYN/ref=asc_df_B08QW8CSYN/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=507841934787&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4700345859076045686&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015707&hvtargid=pla-1292026351614&psc=1

 

I keep one of these hidden under the tongue of the trailer. That way it is always there. 

[csleaver]

I have one of those magnetic lockouts in my tool bag, one on my tool chest, and one in every truck at work.  The most common issue I run into is a blown fuse in the truck for the trailer backup. 

[TAQ44]

Had the exact same issue day two after receiving my A22. My reverse lights are also not activated. Which makes sense considering the center pin on the 5/7 pin plug is for reverse lights which ALSO activates the solenoid in the tongue to disengage the trailer brakes when backing. Talked to the dealer and it sounds like sometimes the plug fit can be compromised if you’ve towed different trailers, boats, etc with the vehicle. Moral of the story: make sure to check your reverse lights as well. If they’re not working like mine, then it’s a center pin issue (whether on the vehicle or trailer) and/or wiring issue to center pin and/or blown fuse to the center pin on the vehicle side. 

[wedge88]

13 minutes ago, TAQ44 said:

Had the exact same issue day two after receiving my A22. My reverse lights are also not activated. Which makes sense considering the center pin on the 5/7 pin plug is for reverse lights which ALSO activates the solenoid in the tongue to disengage the trailer brakes when backing. Talked to the dealer and it sounds like sometimes the plug fit can be compromised if you’ve towed different trailers, boats, etc with the vehicle. Moral of the story: make sure to check your reverse lights as well. If they’re not working like mine, then it’s a center pin issue (whether on the vehicle or trailer) and/or wiring issue to center pin and/or blown fuse to the center pin on the vehicle side. 

Where are your reverse lights on the trailer? 

I've cleaned up all the wiring in the tongue and made sure I had no loose or nicked cables, verified truck fuse is fine, cleaned truck connection real good and greased and have 12V at the trucks bumper connection on center pin and verified power gets to the solenoid.  I haven't pulled boat out of garage to test backing up yet since I did all of this but I don't see any reverse (white) lights on my Axis trailer like I use to have on my Malibu.  If I had the lights it would make this troubleshooting so much easier but as far as I can tell, the system is now working but my fluid was slightly low, in the actuator, so I filled and purged the lines.

Keeping fingers crossed it's fixed because we leave for vacation next weekend but curious about the lights as it seems my trailer doesn't have them, unless I'm an idiot which is strongly possible.

[theloungelife]

Another vote for the orange magnetic blocker.  I use it every time I back into my driveway.  Takes the stress out of it.

[ahopkins22LSV]

So on my last two trucks and last two boats, after some time the two center blades of the truck light plug receiver spread out and they don’t make good contact with the trailer plug. This causes all sorts of weird things including not releasing the trailer brakes in reverse. I just gently push them back together and then it works flawlessly again. Just another simple thing for people to check. 
 

I though axis trailers came with reverse lights, just not the slim led kind like on the Malibu trailers. Could be wrong though. 

[Surf4FamFun]

For longer trips we rent an Enterprise F-250 to tow the 23 MXZ.  Everything works pretty well except the plug for the trailer lights.  I make sure that I have a plastic pen in my pocket when I hook up the boat.  If the lights do not work that is my push the pins tool.  Fits, easy to find, and will not short anything out if you bridge conductors.  About half the time I have to tweak the pins to get the lights on the boat trailer to work,

[TAQ44]

6 hours ago, wedge88 said:

Where are your reverse lights on the trailer? 

I've cleaned up all the wiring in the tongue and made sure I had no loose or nicked cables, verified truck fuse is fine, cleaned truck connection real good and greased and have 12V at the trucks bumper connection on center pin and verified power gets to the solenoid.  I haven't pulled boat out of garage to test backing up yet since I did all of this but I don't see any reverse (white) lights on my Axis trailer like I use to have on my Malibu.  If I had the lights it would make this troubleshooting so much easier but as far as I can tell, the system is now working but my fluid was slightly low, in the actuator, so I filled and purged the lines.

Keeping fingers crossed it's fixed because we leave for vacation next weekend but curious about the lights as it seems my trailer doesn't have them, unless I'm an idiot which is strongly possible.

Haha no I’m sure they’re there. Mine are the two outside lights. The two inner lights are the brake/signal lights. I just got home from my dealer. Turns out that mine was a chintzy receiver on the vehicle side. It was not getting enough current across to the 5 pin on my trailer. Tech swapped out my receiver and it works perfectly now. Reverse lights are on and solenoid activates the lock out. Backed into my driveway like a charm just now. I did use the orange magnet that most are also talking about. However, my recommendation would to ONLY have this as a back up plan or a “crutch” if you’re in a pinch. The trailer should work as intended with the center pin activating the reverse lights and the solenoid. If not, then I’d definitely address it instead of just using the orang lockout key. Not to mention it’s annoying to get out of your tow rig every time you wanna back, chock the trailer wheels, pull forward for the breaks to release, insert magnet lockout key, than FINALLY reverse….. just my opinion. BUT it will def do the job if you don’t have time to fix it before your trip. They’re all over Amazon for overnight delivery. 

[csleaver]

I fix about 50% of trailer light issues by bending the pins on the trailer plug inward with a small screw driver.  A bad connection on the ground pin causes all kinds of problems. 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xr6ravn4b3vif03/trailer plug_1.jpg?dl=0

[Rack]

Years ago I had a similar issue with a mechanical lock out.

The Picture shows how I solved the issue. 120 volt winch

Plus my wife and I don't have to yell at each other. She operates the controller and I guide the front wheel

I have about two inches to spare on both sides from the boat guides on the trailer.

Edited August 6, 2022 by Rack

[ndahlberg12]

On 7/13/2022 at 9:26 PM, csleaver said:

I fix about 50% of trailer light issues by bending the pins on the trailer plug inward with a small screw driver.  A bad connection on the ground pin causes all kinds of problems. 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xr6ravn4b3vif03/trailer plug_1.jpg?dl=0

I have had to do this with all of my trailers, easy fix for a lot of problems.

[tomfish]

Since you've already tested with another trailer, and it worked fine, it seems more likely that the issue is with the trailer's reverse lockout mechanism. I remember a friend had a similar issue, and it was due to a faulty solenoid in the lockout system. He ended up taking it to a specialist who fixed it pretty quickly.

Also, from my experience, it's always worth double-checking the simplest solutions first, like ensuring all connections are clean and properly seated. Sometimes, it's just a small oversight that causes these kinds of problems.

And just a thought for the future – I've found that quality used trailers from reputable brands can be a reliable and cost-effective choice. They often come well-maintained and with most of the kinks already worked out.

Edited November 22, 2023 by tomfish