Surge breaks with the extra wire tied to the reverse lights to over ride when backing up.

I told people I had that and they looked at me like I had 2 heads.

I was always told unplug my lights so you don't have hot bulbs under water.
After my lights leaked and fell apart, I replaced them with LED lights. All sealed and have been on for 3 years without a problem. back them into the salt water at least 30 times a year.

I tried backing up a little further in the driveway after I had disconnected the lighting hardness, the trailer WOULD NOT MOVE....Harder I accelerated, the tighter the brakes got. The back up light activates a solenoid that cuts out the hydraulics so its moves easily in reverse. There is also a pin you can put in to stop the actuator from moving and that will lock out the brakes too. Only for use at the ramp.

As for the lights, the old trailer had the upside down cup (?) type. They worked for all these years. (I don't know why they changed that style) the new ones are sealed. But now that I dunk only twice a year spring and the fall, should not be a problem. HOPEFULLY.....:smash:

I also have a pin that I can put into the tounge to stop it from slidding backwords. Just in case you need a mechanical override.

They will either stay sealed or leak right away. I had a set that leaked after only a couple dunks. Now I run a bead of silicon seal on all seams. That is easier that putting them on-off and running for a refund.

Good idea, you put the bead along the edge of the lens?
I could do it now that they are new and clean, and it might hold better.

I put anywhere I think there is a seam, yes especially the edge of the lens and where any wires enter the housing.

:btu: :btu: :btu:

Nice trailer Van.


I think I really got it down this year. This spring I took my wife and daughter out. We got to the ramp, I set everything up. Had my wife and daughter on the dock, and gave my wife a line. I backed to the water, released the safety and cable, backed about 4' and stopped the wife pulled it to the dock and tied her off. There were lots of people around, the usual judging panel, and those in line to pull out. When I came down to the tie up my wife told me that the crusty old guy on the bench said he was impressed. Pulling it out can be a pain at times, but I readjusted the guideons and it seems to be loading better.

One of the best people I ever saw launch and retrieve a boat all by himself with no assistance was Gary Corsetti. We could come into a ramp and both sides would have lines. He would back between em, and load her up and pull out before the guys that had already been tied up before us were even backed down.