Hitch Wiring for Surge Brakes Reverse Lockout

[Ridgehauler]

I have the factory Honda accessory hitch/harness installed on my Ridgeline and need some information.

My boat trailer has surge type disk brakes on the axles. In order to reverse the trailer, the electronic lock-out pin has to be engaged by receiving 12 volts when the truck in placed in reverse. This locks out the trailor's master brake cylinder and keeps the brakes from activating when pressure is applied to the cylinder when reversing the trailer.

However, there is not 12 volts on the center pin of the 7-pin Honda socket when the truck is shifted into reverse and the truck's reverse lights come on. The protective cap on the 7-pin socket has the connector pin out diagram on it showing the center post of the connector for "Back-up Lamps" but there are not 12 volts present when in reverse.

Having downloaded the instructions and wiring diagram for the harness from hondacuraworld, I notice there is no wiring shown at all for the center post of the 7-pin socket. Yet the socket's protective cap clearly shows there should for that post.

Has anyone else towing a trailer with surge brakes encountered the same problem? If so, I would be greatful to know what type of resolution you worked out. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[SnowRidge]

I haven't run into that yet, but I would like to know the answer.

[Webwader]

The fact that the center post of the 7-pin connector is not wired for reverse has been mentioned on this forum before. I have surge brakes on my boat trailer but they are drum brakes so no fifth wire. I think a call to Honda and/or your dealer is in order at this point. You bought and paid for a 7-pin connector but in reality only got a 6-pin. Plus apparently Honda is pretty touchy about anyone tapping into their wiring system. I think Honda should make this good under warranty. For the price of the wiring harness, it seems inexcusable that it was not included.

[Norm]

I did wire the center pin for backup lights. I tapped into the left backup light. The difficult part is wiring the plug - the Honda plug does NOT have a center connector installed. It's been a while but at I recall I used a spade style connector (the plug separates into two parts as I recall) and was able to get it to fit "just like from the factory" but it involved some interesting poking and prodding after opening up the back of the plug.

I enjoy this kind of thing in my weird sort of way but in general its not an easy fix. Sorry for the poor description but I'm working from memory (I remember thinking about two minutes after I hooked it up that I should have taken photos). The take-home message is it can be done but its not at all straight forward.

I am familiar with the brakes you have. It is really best to have the backup solenoid working as they lock VERY tightly in reverse (unlike drum brakes)! The work-around is to make a block that will keep your moving hitch piece from moving and activating the master cylendar. I keep a metal wedge for that purpose (even though I am back to drum brakes on my new trailer it can be very handy when backing up hill).

Norm

[Webwader]

The work-around is to make a block that will keep your moving hitch piece from moving and activating the master cylendar.

Some of the couplers have a hole and a pin that can be placed to prevent master cylinder operation, but it is a PITA to have to get out and install the pin (or a block) every time you want to back up your trailer.

[Ridgehauler]

Yes. You are correct about the pin. There is one on the trailer and that is how I have been working around the issue of not having 12 volts to the center post. However, like you said, it is a major pain.

Like others replied, for the expense of the factory hitch and harness this issue should be addressed professionally. I will express this to Honda today as well as my dealer.

I am prepared to do the work around, so thanks for the advise, but only as a last resort. It is really not safe to have to hop out of the truck, in traffic or a parking lot, to put in the trailer pin in order to back up the trailer. Then having the possibility of accidentally leaving the pin in place and having no brake operation at highway speeds. So, I consider it a saftey issue as well.

Thanks.

[Beaullieu]

Norm,

I have disk / surge brakes on my boat trailer and need a back-up light connection same as you. I expect to add a back-up light leg to the center connector just as you did but I'm a bit hesitant to tap into the back-up lights so I wanted to ask if you have experienced any issues after your connection. I tapped into the backup lights on my last truck and had no problems.....

Has anybody ever asked and received any kind of explanation from Honda why the backup light leg is missing?

Thanks for any feedback on your install.

Beaullieu

[off2catchbass]

I am very interested in the solution to this problem. My boat has the surge breaks that are actually disc and not drum brakes. You cannot back up your boat trailer without this functioning. I was thinking about installing the wiring harness and hitch myself but I am glad I read this first. If anybody finds out why that center back up light pin doesn't function please post a response.

[Webwader]

I saw in another post that there is a TSB # SN050600-004 on the problem, but I don't know what the TSB says about it. You might want to investigate this further.

[SnowRidge]

Originally Posted by off2catchbass

I am very interested in the solution to this problem. My boat has the surge breaks that are actually disc and not drum brakes. You cannot back up your boat trailer without this functioning. I was thinking about installing the wiring harness and hitch myself but I am glad I read this first. If anybody finds out why that center back up light pin doesn't function please post a response.

Has anyone gone to the dealer yet regarding this? And what does the TSB say about this? Thanks.