Instructions To Add Electric Brakes To Trailer Without Brakes

Question

Question:

I have a single axle boat trailer, mfg in 1997. It has a 2x3 down axle with no brake flange. 3500 lb rating with tapered spindle. I bought two 4 hole brake flanges to fit the axle. I am interested in adding electric brakes, but am concerned about the clearance from hub face to future brake flange location. The local trailer shops wont replace spindles .... its either a liability issue or they dont want the work. They say best to replace the axle. Which measurements should I take ? and how much should I expect to pay for a replacement axle with brake flanges if it comes to that? Regards,

asked by: Robert

0

Expert Reply:

The shop that told you that was correct, since your trailer axle didn't have brake flanges welded already it is much easier to just replace the entire axle.

Reason being is, to add brake flanges would require them to be welded square and concentric. This usually requires a jig to hold both parts in position. Ordering a new axle complete with electric brake assemblies and drums may actually cost less than buying separate parts.

For the measurements, you will want to measure the spindles at the inner (C in diagram) and outer (D in diagram) bearing surfaces, as well as the seal contact surfaces (B in diagram).

Since you mentioned that you are wanting to add electric brakes you will need to run wiring from the front of your trailer to your trailer brakes to power to them and you'll also have to convert your trailer connector to a 7-way that includes a circuit for electric brakes.

Finally, you're going to need to add a brake controller like # 90885 so you can use the newly added brakes.

I have included an FAQ that dives deeper into this process for you to check out.

expert reply by: Bryce D

0

Spindle Measurements
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Answer 1

Since we know you have 3,500 lb axles we can pretty easily pick out the correct parts you'd need to add brakes to your trailer. You'd need new hubs that have integrated drums like with the part #AKHD-545-35-EZ-K which have the very common 5…

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Answer 2

It is possible to weld on a brake flange such as Brake Mounting Flange for 1-3/4" Round Trailer Axles - 2K #4-34 for 1-3/4" round axles, but it takes a qualified welder and even then it can be difficult to accomplish. A better solution is…

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Answer 3

The Dexter 69-46 axle has a straight spindle with #L44649 bearings. For a replacement spindle you can use the BTR E-Z Lube Spindle for 2,000-lb Trailer Axles #TRU44FR. Then for an idler hub, the Easy Grease Trailer Idler Hub Assembly for 2K Axles…

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Answer 4

Adding brakes to a Dexter 2,200 lb axle is pretty simple. Basically you start by picking out the correct hub/drums and the picking out the rest of the parts to match. The correct hub/drums are the part #8-257-5UC3 which match your bolt pattern as…

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Answer 5

For the brake circuit of your trailer you will want to run 10 gauge wire like our part #10-1-1 which is sold by the foot and is standard copper primary wire. We use it all the time here on trailers and it works great. For bonded 14 gauge wire that…

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Answer 6

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Answer 7

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

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Answer 8

You will need a number of other items to install disc brakes on a trailer that does not have any braking system installed on it. The first thing you will need to do is determine the inner and outer bearing and seal part numbers on your trailer. You…

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Answer 9

Your 2000 Chevy S-10 is not prewired for a brake controller, but that's not a huge deal. The hardwire installation is actually pretty simple. To begin with, you'll need a functional 4 pin trailer connector. If you don't have one already,…

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Answer 10

We definitely help with that. Do you know what axle capacity you have? If you can get me that and the wheel bolt pattern I can let you know what you'd need. I also attached a help article on how to add brakes to a trailer that would also walk you…

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Instructions To Add Electric Brakes To Trailer Without Brakes

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