Backing a trailer with tailgate down.

Had the issue first time using the trailer all you need to do is press that button and disable it no problems backing the trailer after that I have multiple four pin trailers and it has worked like a charm since finding that button

 

As a young kid (maybe 14?) I hitched our race trailer before heading out for the weekend, thinking my father would be proud of my work. Well.. I left the damn tailgate down. First turn and the front end of the goose-neck trailer just demolished that tailgate. Tore both sides of the bed pretty bad as well. Lots of damage to both the truck and trailer. If one thing is for certain, I won't ever do that again!

 

Our trailer hitch is long enough that I can have the trailer connected and tailgate down. I think I would tag the corners of the tailgate into the trailer or propane cover if I turned to sharply.

I can see a use for it if your load requires the tailgate to be down to fit it. The RCTA button should help to get connected without slamming on the brakes. Then once the trailer is connected, the system will ignore the RCTA function until the trailer is disconnected.

I haven't had to press the button at all since owning ours but it does get mad at me and beeps like crazy as I get close to the trailer hitch when connecting. On our last trip it seemed to take a few days before the system would come back on after parking the trailer. Not too sure about why as it said RCTA was enabled but the idiot light was on.

 

I've been having the emergency stopping with tailgate up while backing up and turning with my 2023 SR 5 (no trailer assist, but does have a trailer sensor). It seems that Toyota thinks I need a jack knife preventor even though I have never jack knife a boat trailer in the 40 years of my towing experience. I asked the dealer at my last service how to correct the problem and they didn't know. I use a 4 pin connector.

I'll try disabling the PKSB next time.

 

Had same problem with my 22. Hauling trash off one day and found the thing would not back up five feet without braking with the tailgate down. Had everything that had a button to turn it off turned off! VERY annoying! Haven't tried in the 25 I have now. Probably does the same thing.