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2023 OWNER’S MANUAL
Brake Lockout
When backing up, the coupler will move back and apply the trailer
brakes. The brakes will apply at dierent levels depending on
how fast you back up, the type of brakes, the road or surface,
and the position/angle of the trailer. All MasterCraft trailers have
an electrical solenoid control to allow the trailer to back up. This
control is wired to the back-up lights on the tow vehicle, and when
the tow vehicle is put into reverse, this control does not allow the
trailer brakes to apply.
DOT 5 brake fluid is a silicone-based fluid and requires specific
materials for the boots, seals and wipers in the actuator master
cylinder and caliper. Those materials are NOT used in MasterCraft
trailers. Regardless of marketing claims made regarding a
supposed superiority of DOT 5 brake fluid, the fact is, they will
cause significant failures in the trailer’s brakes because they are
not designed to use DOT 5 brake fluid.
“Unexplained” brake failures are often traced to dragging brakes
caused by the E-stop cable being tripped or the use of DOT 5 brake
fluid. The underlying cause most often is because the brakes got
over-heated and caused the fluid to boil. This can occur when the
fluid level is appropriate, the linings are within specifications, and
the hydraulics appear to work properly.
DO NOT USE DOT 5 brake fluid in any component of MasterCraft
trailers. The silicone causes seals to swell and can bind up caliper
pistons. Do not use this in individual actuators, disc brakes or
solenoids.
The silicone in DOT 5 brake fluid also causes foaming bubbles
when forced through small orifices under high pressure, such as
the solenoid valves in a disc brake system. Bubbles in brake fluid
result in spongy brakes. Silicone also tends to become slightly
compressible at temperatures near its boiling point, which makes
it generally inappropriate for trailers used in mountain conditions.
Manual Brake Lockout for the Actuator
If the trailer needs to be moved while in reverse and without
electrical connections to operate the reverse lock-out solenoid,
the safety pin can be used to manually keep the coupler from
applying pressure to the master cylinder. Place the pin in the hole
at the front of the actuator housing. Remove the pin IMMEDIATELY
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