Adding Brakes To A Shorelander Single Axle Boat Trailer

Question

Question:

I would like to add electric brakes to the Shorelander single axel boat trailer that came from Lund when I bought a new Lund 1775 Adventure Sport boat in 2022. The trailer tag has the number 1MDAHAR11PA742591 2023 R22L Black Shire ARMR2 8052516 Thanks.

asked by: Dan S

0

Expert Reply:

Hello Dan. This trailer currently has no brakes correct? It may be possible to add electric brakes, as long as the axle is equipped with a 4-bolt brake flange. If no brake flange is present, you would either need to have them added to the axle, or replace the axle entirely.

If you do have a brake flange, you can add electric brakes without too much trouble. You will need to get brake assemblies, hub/drum assemblies, a 7-way trailer wiring harness, an emergency breakaway kit, and an electric trailer brake controller for your vehicle.

I can certainly point you in the right direction for all of these parts. I will just need to know the axle weight capacity, and the spindle and/or bearing sizes your trailer currently uses. Regrettably there is no way for me to use your VIN to find this information. Your best bet will be to pull one of the hubs and remove the bearings. Each bearing will have a number stamped on the edge. When you get them, drop those bearing numbers in the comment section below and I will make sure you get the right hubs and brakes. Aside from those parts, you will need the following:

- 7-Way Molded Connector w/ 15' Cable - Trailer End # 50-67-103

- Bright Way Push-to-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit with 1-Amp Charger and 5 Ah Battery # 3802308

The 7-way harness is 15' long, so you may need some additional wire, depending on how you set everything up. I also suggest that you use a junction box like part # 3375601100. Your vehicle will need to be equipped with a brake controller. If you don't have one already, I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195.

Let me know those bearing sizes, and your hub bolt pattern in the comments below and I can recommend the rest of the parts you need.

expert reply by: Jesse M

0

Dan S.

5/24/2024

I’m sorry, I should have said surge disc brakes, not electric brakes. The trailer has 15” 5 lug wheels and there are 4 holes in the flange that I think a caliper would mount to. Do you have a kit that will work for this? Thanks.

Reply

Jesse M.

5/24/2024

@DanS Oh ok thanks for clarifying. I was going to say we don't usually recommend putting electric brakes on a boat trailer that will be submerged. We do have a kit that will work for you. To add surge brakes to your trailer you will need to add a surge brake actuator like the Demco Hydraulic Brake Actuator # DM62VR. You will also need a brake line kit such as part # 18SI-BLKIT which has an 18' long main line. You will also need a disc brake kit such as the Kodiak # KOD67FR. Please note that this hub/rotor is for a 3.5K axle and uses a # L68149 (1.378" inner diameter) inner bearing and a # L44649 (1.063" inner diameter) outer bearing. Please do confirm your bearing sizes for me and I can make sure you get the right stuff.

Reply

Dan S.

5/29/2024

@JesseM My trailer has 1-3/8” inner bearing and 1-1/16 outer bearing. Please advise. The other thing I am concerned with is I would not like to have to splice any brake lines, as I have never done that and probably don’t have the correct tools. Thanks, Dan

Reply

Jesse M.

5/30/2024

@DanS Those bearing sizes you mentioned are the standard 3,500 lb axle bearing sizes. So, the Kodiak # KOD67FR I mentioned above will be correct for you. If we can get the correct size brake line kit, you won't have to cut or splice any brake lines. All of the tees and fittings will just screw in. You can measure the distance from the brake actuator or trailer coupler to the axle. Let me know that distance and we can get you an appropriately sized main line so you won't have to cut anything. The brake line kits also come with clamps to secure the line to the trailer. Aside from that you will just need to install the rotors and calipers and bleed the brakes. This can be done manually or with a Bleeder like part # PTW87030. We have some good literature on adding disc braked to trailers. You will find links to a few helpful articles just below. Feel free to reach out if you have more questions for me.

Helpful Links

faq-adding-hydraulic-disc-brakes.aspx

faq-bleed-trailer-brakes.aspx

Reply

See All (13) Replies to Dan S. ∨

Answer 1

You gave me a lot of info on your trailer, but what I really need first is the dimensions of the spindle on your trailer so that we can determine what hub/drums you would need. You also will need to know if you have brake mounting flanges on your…

view full answer...

Answer 2

I ran this by a couple of our installers and they said some of those drum brake actuators have a check valve in the coupler that won't allow gravity feed. Some of those check valves require like 10 lbs of pressure to allow the fluid to move. I…

view full answer...

Answer 3

Yes, you will want to flush out all your old dirty brake fluid from your lines and master cylinder. You can use the Hand Vacuum Pump Brake Bleeder #PTW87030 to do this but in my experience I find it best to use the manual method using the 2x4 to be…

view full answer...

Answer 4

The manual lockout on your Atwood 85778 surge brake coupler is there so that you can back up the trailer without the brakes locking up on you. Yes you can safely tow your trailer with the broken manual lockout, you just have to make sure you…

view full answer...

Answer 5

The Demco Hydraulic Trailer Brake Actuator part #DM72VR should be a direct replacement for the Atwood 61101 Brake Actuator that you have now. This newest updated it rated at 7K instead of 6K. This is a bolt on option that mounts on 3" centers.…

view full answer...

Answer 6

I do have an option for you but the coupler on your trailer is very old and we simply don't carry parts for them anymore as they were discontinued by the manufacturer. Therefore, the only option we can offer is a new coupler, the Demco Hydraulic…

view full answer...

Answer 7

You can convert surge brakes to an electric over hydraulic braking system. To do this, you will need an electric over hydraulic actuator and a brake controller. For an electric over hydraulic actuator, I recommend looking at the Carlisle HydraStar…

view full answer...

Answer 8

First you will need to remove the old hydraulic equipment. Remove the surge coupler or actuator, remove all the lines, and finally remove the brake assemblies. If you have 10 inch diameter hub and drums, you may need to replace those as well. If you…

view full answer...

Answer 9

Hey Dan, thanks for reaching out. It is possible to add brakes to the 3,500 lb axle on your Shorelander trailer, as long as your axle has a brake flange welded to the base of the spindle. If no brake flange is present, they can we welded on my an…

view full answer...

Answer 10

There really isn't a particular maximum trailer weight that is used to determine when brakes need to be added to both axles of a tandem axle setup. While I do still recommend checking your local laws, I am also not aware of any general laws that…

view full answer...

Answer 11

Since Atwood went out of business none of their actuator (or other product) replacement parts are available unfortunately, so your only real option to having a working actuator is to replace the entire unit. I am attaching a link to our selection of…

view full answer...

Answer 12

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…

view full answer...

Adding Brakes To A Shorelander Single Axle Boat Trailer

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Continue Researching