How to Add Electric Drum Brakes to a 2017 Covered Wagon 6x12 Single Axle Enclosed Trailer

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Question:

My Axle is a Lippert LCI35 Serial # S000711899 it has a 4" drop. I would like to raise the trailer up a little, so would Item # 35545E-ST-89 fit to replace the entire axle? Also does Item # 35545E-ST-89 have the self-adjusting brakes?

asked by: Eric

Expert Reply:

I would love to help you add electric drum brakes to your 2017 Covered Wagon 6x12 Single Axle Enclosed Trailer. In order to make sure you get the correct parts, I would need to know the serial number on your axle. In order to obtain this you would need to crawl underneath and look for a white tag on the center of the axle and locate usually a "SN #". Once you can provide this to me I would then be able to verify all the parts you need. I also recommend taking a look at the help article on adding electric drum brakes to a trailer as this will give you a better idea of what all is involved.

expert reply by: Conner L

Eric

11/28/2018

Conner L.

11/28/2018

I called Lippert and they informed me that your axle has an 85" hub face to hub face measurement and a 70" spring center to spring center measurement which means the Dexter Trailer Axle w/ Electric Brakes part # 35545E-ST-89 will not work for you as it has a 89" hub face to hub face measurement and a 74" spring center to spring center measurement. Therefore, you have two choices which would be to add brakes to the axle you have now or switch to an axle-less setup. For an axle-less setup, I recommend the Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System part # ASR3500S06. This option will eliminate the leaf springs and provide you with a rubber Aeon spring which will do a much better job of absorbing road shock and supporting the trailer's load. The distance from the center of the spindle to the bottom of the frame is 7-1/2" which you can use to determine ride height. In order to add brakes to your current axle or the Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension System part # ASR3500S06 you will need to use both the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit part # 23-468-469 and the etrailer Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly part # AKHD-545-35-EZ-K. These brakes are in fact self-adjusting. There is also a more cost effective alternative, the Electric Trailer Brake Kit part # AKEBRK-35-SA. Regardless of which option you decide, you will also need a 7-way trailer wiring kit and breakaway kit for your trailer. For this, I recommend using both the Trailer Wiring 7-Way Upgrade Kit part # e99011 and the Hopkins Trailer Breakaway Kit part # HM20001. I have attached several install videos for you as well which should help you get all of the above installed.