Terms on the instrument panel Like E_O_H

Anyone know how to set up a boat trailer with three axles and surge brakes- Should E-O-H setting be off? When backing into a ramp or space the truck locks brakes up and my surge brakes don't seem to disable when backinmg up either. Thanks

 

Your surge brakes by nature will apply when backing up. I've seen some boat trailers that require a pin to be inserted on the tongue to disable the trailer brakes. As far as setting up your truck, your owners manual should cover this.

 

Yes I have drilled a hole for a pin in the trailer to deactivate the surge brake but before I had this truck I had a 2019 1794 that I didn't need this becuase the trailer also has a bypass valve that is supposed to deative the brakes automatilly when you back up. On this new 2024 1794 if you turn too sharp when backing the truck/tra locks up. I was told it was the parking assist and to disable it.

 

Since you have the same trailer, it is probably your parking assist on the truck that is causing it. Unless the trailer wiring on the truck doesn't have the back-up lights connected to the trailer wiring socket (it's doubtful that your truck doesn't have that connection, since that's the flat 5-wire standard). The solenoid that closes the valve shutting off hydraulics to the surge brake is operated by the activation of the truck's back-up lights.

Edit .... are you sure the surge brakes are activating, or is it your truck's brakes? I don't have that annoying fancy crap on my '13, but it seems to me that the parking assist would only affect your truck's braking system, not the trailer.

Edit #2 .... seems this needs more research. I just looked at my truck, and it only has the 4-wire flat plug socket (plus the round one I never use). I never paid that much attention, since my boat trailer doesn't have brakes. So I'm thinking yours is the same. I assume, like most boat trailers with brakes, you have the 5 wire flat plug on your trailer, so you could use an adapter to plug into your round 7 wire socket that is part of the truck's tow package.

Trailer Plug Adapters 7 Pin to 4 and 5 Flat Blade Trailer Connector for Trailer Tow Hitch, Weatherproof

https://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Adapters-Blade-Connector-Weatherproof/dp/B07SQJHPMY

 

Only two ways that I know of the disable surge brakes on a boat trailer.

The flat-5 wiring noted above, which will require a 7>5 adapter. The fifth wire is energized with your reverse lights and operates a solenoid to disable trailer brakes. This is best.

Or, a mechanical lockout that you need to physically engage before backing up on flat ground or up a hill. Backing down a boat ramp typically doesn’t require this to be engaged, unless you have a flat section to back over before hitting the descent.


If your trailer just has a flat-4 plug, nothing on the truck or any of its safety systems will tell the trailer to stop. It’s all mechanical for surge brakes.

 

To answer your original question, nothing on your truck’s brake controller will have any effect on a surge brake system. Zero.

The EOH option is for a trailer that has Electric Over Hydraulic type brakes. Often a larger travel trailer or equipment trailer with hydraulic disc brakes that are electronically operated. Not surge.