Converting Existing Hydraulic Brakes on Trailer to Electric Drum Brakes

Updated 05/01/2015 | Published 04/30/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Deka Jacketed 2 Wire, 10 Gauge, Brake Wire - per Foot

(326)

$3.91

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

(1798)

$19.78

Trailer Wiring Junction Box

(823)

$34.83

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3448)

$119.73

Question:

Looking to convert my cronkhite trailer from hydraulic brakes to electric brakes. Would need all components to convert the dual axle to electric and wiring for 7 pin connector. Need proportional controller with wiring kit to work with a 1994 Chevy Kodiak medium truck and it would need 7 pin connector. Would also like to use the trailer with my 2007 Ford F150 and plug controller into it but it has a 7 pin connector but would need adapter kit for controller. Need to know what information you require for this to happen?

asked by: Len H

Helpful Expert Reply:

I've linked you to our FAQ article that shows what's involved with adding electric brakes to a trailer. To provide you with specifics, I'd need to know the axle capacity of the trailer, the wheel bolt pattern, the number of holes (4 or 5) holes in the brake mounting flange, and the inner and outer wheel bearing reference numbers of the bearings used by your current hub.

To wire the trailer, I'd recommend using a 7-way connector like # H20046 (be sure to go to the product description page for the 7-way to see the wire color coding chart). For a neat and orderly installation, have the connector terminate at a junction box like part # 38656. I've linked you to a video showing the 7-way and the junction box being installed, as well as to an FAQ article about trailer wiring.

On to the truck. For a controller, you can't go wrong with the Tekonsha Prodigy P2, part # 90885. To install it, you'd need our brake controller installation kit, part # ETBC7. The kit includes an adapter to convert a 4-pole to a 7-way, so if your truck doesn't have a functional 4-pole, you can install one with part # 18252. You'll need some extra wire as well, part # 10-2-1.

Since your 2007 F150 already has a 7-way, you'll just need a brake controller and the wiring adapter harness, part # 3035-P. In fact, if you get the mounting pocket fore the P2, part # 7686, you can simply swap the P2 controller back and forth between trucks.