www.iFourWinns.com

I've got a brand new EZ Loader with LEDs, should I unplug my wiring harness when backing into water or not? My old trailer was not LED, nor surge brakes, so I unplugged it every time, but this one backs SO much easier plugged in... But I don't want to blow my wiring.... Thoughts?

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Current Boat:
2002 214 Funship 5.0 Volvo Penta

Tow Vehicle:
2003 F250 Lariat FX4 (7.3 Powerstroke)
Previous Boat:
1997 Bass America

If you don't have surge brakes, than why is it easier to back up? How many pins are on your plug?

I would leave it in, but I have surge brakes. I do have LEDs and sealed all the connectors that I could find. I also use dialectic grease on the connectors

My dad has always unplugged the lights right before he launches his boat and has never had any wiring issues. I decided to ignore his advice this year (not sure why) and left mine plugged in. Both of my brake lights are having problems now. Two lessons learned; Listen to dad's advice, and always unplug your lights.

All of our trailers have surge brakes, my new trailer has a hydraulic disconnect for when the lights are disconnected.

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Current Boats:
2012 FW H260, 8.2 B3X (DTS) "Ctrl-Alt-Delete"
Previous Boats:
1984 Century 5000, Merc 260 Alpha 1
2012 Yamaha VXR

Kansas City, MO

Haven't unplugged mine in 7 years and never had a problem.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

The problem you can have with backing up is with disc brakes, unlike drums they cannot be made free backing so they need a back up solenoid to relieve the hydraulic pressure. Some actuators have a way to lock out the brakes for backing (my Tie Down 66 does). I always disconnect the lights but I'm in salt where it's really necessary.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I boat in salt and fresh. I dont disconnect my wiring and never have. I spray my connectors with wd40 before I leave and when I get home and don't have electrical issues.

So, you have folks with experience both ways - your call!

Erik

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

I have a new EZ-Loader trailer as well. The LED lights are designed to be submersed, whether on or off. We never unplug until we put the boat away for the day.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks all for the responses! I just don't want to mess it up... the trailer has a metal dial on top to stop the surge function, but it doesn't turn... so leaving it plugged in activates the solenoid and makes life easier...

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Current Boat:
2002 214 Funship 5.0 Volvo Penta

Tow Vehicle:
2003 F250 Lariat FX4 (7.3 Powerstroke)
Previous Boat:
1997 Bass America

I leave the Four Winns trailer plug connected to operate the surge brake solenoid. I use dielectric grease on the plug.

The Optronics LED lights are submersible. But, one has leaked on me and required replacement summer 2012. The potting was not quite sealed where the wires entered. There was water in the sealed assembly that you could see. It was causing intermittent lighting.

New one has been siliconed.

(Drilling 2 small holes and using compressed air to blow the water out worked to make the lights come back on and I was feeling quite smug. My wife said to me "Are you sure you should be doing that?" The answer is no, at least not 100 psi. It blew the lenses apart and scared the cr@p out of me )

My SeaDoo trailer has standard cheap incandescent blubs, when you forget to unplug them they shatter from the shock. I am going to install Optronics LED's this spring.

Greg

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2008 210SS 6.2L DTS Bravo 1 Now featuring MercMonitor w/SmartTow

I leave mine connected until I am backed up toward the water and on the downhill slope. Then I get out and disconnect the electric connector before backing into the water. Since it is on the downhill, the surge brakes do not actuate.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

My dad has disconnected since Christ was a Corporal. I have been disconnecting for over 20 years and haven't had a problem!

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold