Parts Needed to Add Brakes to Single Axle Boat Trailer

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Question:

Purchased a boat trailer thats needs some help. Boat is a 22foot I/O walk around Galaxy, weighs 2,850 lbs on a single axel Loadmaster Trailer. Previous owner drove the trailer about 300 yards at a time to put in and take out the boat. He had 14inch rims with 205/75R14 95S tires. My perspective accident waiting to happen. Per Title, Aluminum Trailer is 1998, 480 empty weight, 3,500 gross weight. Need advice on upgrading to at least 15inch rim. Trailer Manufacture current standard on this range trailer is a 15”C 5 lug. Outboard looks close to close to the ground on the 14inch tires. Looking for 5 bolt and Dinch rated trailer rims/tires rather have a rating a little over than a little under as well as, adding trailer brakes. Salt water use but mostly need to drive 2 hrs by road 55 MPH max, to launch boat into a seasonal slip and pick it up end of season. It has rusted square plate with four holes at the spindle. Most inexpensive options that meet my safety needs. Thanks!

asked by: Steve

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Expert Reply:

You can increase the size of the wheels and tires on your boat trailer so long as you have enough room in the wheel/fender wells. Normal suspension travel usually dictates no less than 4-inches of clearance at the top of the tire. Provided you have enough room to prevent the larger tire from contacting any trailer surface you can go with ST205/75-15 rims/tires; the linked page displays all products that combine a 5-on-4-1/2 rim with a 205/75-15 trailer tire.

For instance, part # MX97FR is a radial type Load Range D tire/silver rim rated for 2150-lbs at 65-psi. This tire carries a speed rating M, meaning up to 81-mph. This tire is ideal for highway use.

You can add brakes to your trailer since it sounds like you have 4-bolt brake flanges in place. The least-costly option for adding brakes is to go with electric drums. Boat trailers more and more these days are being fitted with OEM electric drum brakes since they cost so much less and are easier to install and maintain than hydraulic drums or discs. You can refer to the linked article for details on the process of adding electric drums brakes to a trailer.

You will need to determine your axle rating to find the correct brake capacity. For a 3500-lb axle the 10 x 2-1/4-inch brake size is typical. Brakes # AKEBRK-35R-SA (right) and # AKEBRK-35L-SA (left) have a 4-bolt mounting pattern to match your flanges. Your new hub/drums must use the same bearings as your current idler hubs in order for them to fit on your spindles. If you have the common 68149/44649 bearings you can use hub/drum # 84546UC3.

Electric brakes require the vehicle have a 7-way trailer socket and brake controller. If you have a factory 7-way all you need is the controller, such as the Primus IQ # TK90160, but if you do not have a factory 7-way you will also need our installation kit # ETBC7 which includes a 7-way and all the items needed to install the Primus. You'll also need a junction box/7-way plug like # HS381-9000 on the trailer to connect the trailer brake and light wiring.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Answer 1

In order to tow a trailer with your 2017 Toyota Rav4, you will need a trailer hitch receiver, wiring harness, and ball mount with hitch ball. For this, I recommend using the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver part #e98864 as this hitch receiver has the…

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Answer 2

Traditionally, trailer manufacturers did not use electric brakes on boat trailers because the brake magnet wiring and trailer wiring did not always have the best insulation or water protection. These days, more and more manufacturers are using…

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Answer 3

I called my contact at SuperSprings and they informed me that in order to obtain the specifications as to how many foot pounds of torque needs to be applied to the factory u-bolts, you would need to obtain your VIN and contact the manufacturer.…

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Answer 4

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 5

The main difference between the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part #C13416 and the EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver part #EH97FR is that the EcoHitch has a completely hidden cross tube whereas the Curt cross tube will be visible from the rear of…

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Answer 6

To add a hitch to your 2024 Toyota RAV4, I recommend the etrailer item #e23ZR. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Toyota with included hardware. This is a class III hitch with a 2" receiver. It has a 4,000 lbs towing capacity, and a 600…

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Answer 7

Hi Stephanie! Great question and you’re totally right to ask, because most hitches for the 2024 RAV4 do require a bit of bumper trimming. That includes the Oris Detachable Hitch #TS66VR, since it uses a hidden design that needs a hole cut in the…

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Answer 8

There is only one difference between the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13176 and etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98909 that fit your 2020 Chevrolet Colorado, which is the finish. The Curt trailer hitch has a glossy black finish while the etrailer…

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Answer 9

Hi John; we actually have both a hitch and wiring available for your 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE Premium. I recommend the following: -TowSmart Trailer Hitch Receiver #TS42VR OR -Oris Hitches Detachable Hitch #TS66VR -Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring…

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Answer 10

Yep, so long as your 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is not a hybrid both the Curt and etrailer hitches will fit: - Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13382 - etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98912 The only difference besides price is the finish; the…

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Answer 11

The trailer hitch receiver that fits your 2024 Toyota RAV4 and has the best clearances - both bumper clearance and ground clearance - is the EcoHitch, with the correct fit for the '24 RAV4 being the following: - EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch…

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Answer 12

Hey Miles, yes we have confirmed that the EcoHitch part #EH97FR does fit the 2025 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid Plug In. There is some lower fascia trimming needed to install the hitch but not a significant amount at all. What will you be using the hitch for?

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Parts Needed to Add Brakes to Single Axle Boat Trailer

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