How to Add Surge Brakes to a Boat Trailer with Idler Hubs

Question:

I would like to put electric brakes on my boat trailer. There are no brakes now but there is a mounting plate. The fender has an outside lip and the inside of the fender is closed. Do you know if once I mount the drum and brake assembly will the wheel sit the same distance on center as it is now? I hope Ive been clear on this. Thanks

asked by: Garrett F

Helpful Expert Reply:

Since you have a brake mounting flange on your boat trailer you could pretty easily install brakes on the trailer. Most likely the mounting flange is a 4 bolt flange (all 4 bolt flanges are the same), since your trailer is most likely not too heavy if it didn't come with brakes.

You should have no problem with the inner fender well either since they aren't currently interfering with your brake mounting flanges. The wheel assembly will sit in the exact same position with hub drums on the trailer as if it were mounted to idler hubs like your trailer currently has.

To see everything needed to pick out the correct assemblies and everything needed to add surge brakes to your trailer check out the help article I attached. This article is for adding surge brakes to a trailer. Since electricity and water don't mix well we don't recommend using electric brakes on a boat trailer that will get submerged in water.

expert reply by: Jameson C