Can Electric and Hydraulic Brakes be Installed on a Trailer at the Same Time

Published 11/19/2021

Question:

Hi. I have a air stream trailer that weighs 7500 lbs. It came factory designed with hydraulic and electrical breaks. Someone has removed the hydraulic system. I want to reinstall the hydraulic system so I have both systems. The new electric breaks are Dexter brand. Please help me figure out what to do with this.

asked by: Ken C

Expert Reply:

It's possible to install an electric over hydraulic (EOH) brake system on your trailer, but this uses an actuator like the HydraStar # HBA16 and you would have hydraulic brakes that are controlled with an electric brake controller in your tow vehicle instead of having a surge actuator on your trailer tongue.

Trailer brakes are designed to be used as electric OR hydraulic, but I've never heard of brakes being able to be used for both types of applications. My guess is that your Air Stream initially came with hydraulic brakes but the previous owner replaced them with electric brakes since they are easier to maintain.

If you want to switch over to an EOH system I'd be more than happy to help out, but this means we would need to get you a whole new braking system so I'll need to know your axle weight capacity.

expert reply by: Jon G