Trailer Lights - Do you disconnect when launching?

dburne

dburne

New Member
Jun 8, 2012
590
Nashville TN
Boat Info
2013 Sea Ray 190 Sport
Engines
4.3 MPI Mercruiser Alpha One
Hey gang,

Ok another question. Folks have told me back when I had the '90 180 BR, that they just leave the trailer lights connected when launching their boat at the ramp. I did this with the old boat last couple of years, and really never caused me any problems.
Everything I have read in both my Sea Ray manuals and the trailer manual for my new rig, state one should disconnect the trailer lights from the vehicle when backing the trailer into the water for launching or retrieving.

What do you guys do?

And another thing I wondered about, my new boat/trailer has disc surge brakes, that when the reverse backup light is on, keeps the brakes from engaging while backing up. Seems like if the lights are disconnected, that might be a problem? Or is it because it is on a ramp and the boat is pulling downward anyway, they would not kick on anyway?

Just curious on others thoughts and what they do.

Thanks,
 
I've always left them connected for the brake reason you mentioned, but I never really thought about the slope of the ramp. Probably wouldn't hurt to jump out and disconnect them just before dunking the trailer.

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The first time I backed in I left the lights connected. The next time I went to check the lights they didn't work. After opening them, I found the bulbs were shattered. I guess from the hot bulbs hitting the cold water. Now I disconnect them every time and never have a problem.
 
Thanks guys,
I think I will just try disconnecting them the first time I take it to the lake and see how it does, if the brakes start to interfere I will come up with plan B, but I am thinking with the slope of the ramp they probably will not kick in being how the surge works.
 
there are a couple good reasons to disconnect. one is a short in a wire could cause electrical issues to your vehicle. second is, if you don't have sealed trailer lights, and the bulbs are hot (i.e. you had your lights on), the bulbs can pop when hitting the cold water.
as far as the surge brakes engaging when the backup light is disconnected (not connected), all depends on the steepness of the ramp, etc. and if you have a flat section before the actual ramp, then the brakes may engage.

I have less than 3 miles to the ramp and only tow a couple of times a year. i don't have to worry about the popping bulbs (one trailer has sealed lights, the other 2 do not). I usually don't disconnect the lights.
 
When we had trailer boats I never really drove any great distance with the trailer (also launch in the spring, haul in the fall with a side trip to service shop for winterization and shrink wrap) and never disconnected the wiring. But every year I had to work on the lights, bulb sockets and ground connections rusted, bad bulbs etc. I finally installed LEDs and the annual light repairs went away. When I did install the LEDs I used heat shrink marine butt splices and added extra wires to bring the ground connections forward onto the tongue where they would be out of the water. If you do something like that it should not matter.

Henry
 
Thanks guys,
My new trailer does have LED lighting, so may be not an issue - to be safe I think I will try disconnecting and see how it does since the manual states that should be done, just have to make sure I remember to reconnect the dang thing LOL. If the brakes become a factor I will just leave them connected.
 
I do. Except when I forget. I do it because someone told me too, no other reason.
 
Hot bulbs + cold water = blown bulbs. Also corrosion issues with bulb sockets. But you're running LED's, should not be a problem.
 
Isn't the trailer on the wrong angle for the surge brake to apply? I thought it only did so going down hill.
 
Yes, or when braking and the brake pin moves forward to the trailer - that is what I am thinking, backing down a ramp it is always going to be in a pulling scenario so they really should not engage...
 
I don't unplug in freshwater but I do in saltwater. If there's a short it would be compounded by the extra conductivity of salt water. I also grease and re install my light bulbs twice annually. When the screws in the lenses finally corrode I'll replace my lights with LED.

Oh and that's when I most often use the lockout bracket. Its also helpful for moving the trailer with my quad of bobcat. Those brakes really hold in reverse, even on a flat surface.
 
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I have a Shorelander trailer and have never disconnected the lights. Hah, actually looks cool lit up under water.. No problem to this point, and at times when by myself, it's submerged for a good 10 minutes.
As for the braking, just pay attention if you do unplug the lights, it's very noticeable when the brake engages when backing up..(from experience).
 
Thanks Dutchman, yeah I know what you mean about those brakes backing up, I found out the hard way after U-Haul wired my 5 pin up wrong...

The more I think about the manual recommending they be unplugged, I remember this same manual also states when launching the boat one should use rope and maneuver the boat from the ramp to the dock with the rope lol. Same when loading, don't know that I have ever seen anyone do it that way...

I guess when the time comes, I may or may not unplug them, who knows! Good to hear what other folks do.
 
I'd never unplugged before (two trailers, both Shoreland'r - a single axle with a 185 and a dual with a 190) and never had any problems. I happen to launch fast (and proud of it!) and don't spend much time submerged, but to be honest with you had never read the trailer owner manuals.

I called BoatMate today regarding locking lugs for my new trailer, and having seen this post asked them if I needed to unplug. They said NO, and I left it at that with no further questions. Perhaps because it's got LED lights?
 
NorCalGlenn said:
I'd never unplugged before (two trailers, both Shoreland'r - a single axle with a 185 and a dual with a 190) and never had any problems. I happen to launch fast (and proud of it!) and don't spend much time submerged, but to be honest with you had never read the trailer owner manuals.

I called BoatMate today regarding locking lugs for my new trailer, and having seen this post asked them if I needed to unplug. They said NO, and I left it at that with no further questions. Perhaps because it's got LED lights?
Click to expand...

Great, thanks for the confirmation Glenn, I think that is going to settle it for me - will just leave plugged in and not have to worry about the brakes somehow kicking in.

My wife and I have gotten a pretty good system down pat now as well, we are pretty quick on getting the boat in the water - I have at least got her to learn how to pull the truck away and get it parked with the empty trailer. She does pretty good, and from the time of arrival to the time we are both in the boat on the way, is pretty fast.

Sounds to me like, they might want to go through and maybe update their manual a little LOL.

I am bad about that though - reading the manuals on everything - just something I have always done I guess...
 
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The wording in the manual is primarily for a CYA thing and a bit of it being 40-year old advice. I wouldn't worry about it - I never unplug - LED or regular. The only time you run into a problem is if the plastic lens assembly is cracked. Under normal circumstances, the light assemblies are either sealed or the bottom (only) is open, working like a cup turned upside down - no water enters. I suppose the "CYA" thing to say here is the "under normal circumstances" part... :smt001

FYI, keep a magnet attached to your trailer coupler. Large enough to be placed over that special key when it's inserted into the slot to keep the brakes from going on. Getting that key to stay in is, without the magnet, sometimes a two-person operation. One to hold the key in place, while the other starts to back-up until the slider pin moves and jams the key in place... But then, if the pressure is released, the key falls out and you repeat the dance.
 
Lazy Daze said:
FYI, keep a magnet attached to your trailer coupler. Large enough to be placed over that special key when it's inserted into the slot to keep the brakes from going on. Getting that key to stay in is, without the magnet, sometimes a two-person operation. One to hold the key in place, while the other starts to back-up until the slider pin moves and jams the key in place... But then, if the pressure is released, the key falls out and you repeat the dance.
Click to expand...

Great tip, thank you and also for the trailer tips as well!!

I have my pin lock and spare wheel lock on order, should arrive tomorrow - will be sure and pick up a magnet as well.

Thanks to all you guys, we will be very well prepared for our first outing of the season!
Whew, thankfully I already have all the necessary gear from having our previous boat last couple of years.
 
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