Trailer brakes

I finally got the boat out of storage yesterday! I have a question about the surge brakes on the trailer. It seems the “ripcord” for the surge brakes is pulled out a bit. I heard what I thought was brakes rubbing a bit as I backed into the garage and am wondering if the breaks were not triggered with an accidental pull of the cord.

Is there a standard way to reset the surge brakes on trailers or will it be specific to make? Mine is a Bear and has a removeable tongue. It has a quick connect fitting for the brake line and trailer lights built into it so I am guessing everything I need to look at is in the removeable section. Nothing screams out at me “move this lever to reset the brakes”. I can get some pics if needed.

Thanks!

Make and model of boat and trlr?
4 pin or 5 pin light connector?

If your surge brakes are working they should engage when you back up. To prevent that there is an extra wire from the back up lights to the trailer brakes that deactivates them when the tow vehicle back up lights are on. My last trailer also had a place where you could insert a clip to mechanically block the brakes from engaging.

Trailer lights are 5 pin, it is a Bear trailer not sure of model number atm, roller bed, single axle.

I had not noticed the brakes sounding like they were dragging while backing up before. I had heard the issues of some of the trailers locking up the brakes in reverse with the lights unplugged. I thought that my trailer did not have the electric part of the control.

A habit of mine from being a mechanic in the army was to touch wheel hubs whenever I stopped to see if any one was getting hot. I still do this, while warm after a trip from Rochester to Richfield, I would not call the hubs hot enough to cause me alarm. Also, no burning brake smell noted when I first pulled into the driveway, I may be looking at things too close.

I was guessing the guy I store my boat with snagged that breakaway cable with the tractor he uses to move it around the yard, it appears to be pulled out like 1/2 inch based on a slight kink in the cable.

Was going to be out there installing v2 of ipilot today, will take some pics for you to chew on also. Thanks!