Can Electric Drum Brakes Be Used on a Boat Trailer
Published 12/04/2015
Products Featured in This Question
Question:
can you put electric brakes on a boat trailer?
asked by: Bill
Expert Reply:
You ask a very good question.
In recent years we've seen more and more boat trailer manufacturers installing electric drum brakes on their trailers as OEM equipment. In the past boat trailers almost always had hydraulic drum or disc brakes as standard equipment since this avoided the natural concerns about combining electricity and water. The main reasons for this shift towards electric drum brakes are their lower cost and easier installation as compared to hydraulics, and that insulating materials have improved a lot in the last 20 years.
It is a good practice when using electric brakes on your boat trailer to unplug the trailer connector from the tow vehicle before the brakes reach the water line. This will also help to protect your trailer lighting.
Brakes should be selected to match the axle capacity and you'll need both left- and right-hand assemblies. The linked page shows all electric drum brakes, ranging in size from 7 x 1-1/4-inches such as # AKEBRK-2L and # AKEBRK-2R up to 12-1/4 x 5-inches, such as # AKEBRK-12R and # AKEBRK-12L. Your axle(s) will need to have brake flanges installed; note that there are various mounting patterns for brakes. A 4-bolt pattern is common for lighter axles but others include 5-bolt and 6-bolt types.
You can simply click on the filters for axle capacity, drum diameter and width, and your preference for either manually-adjusting or self-adjusting brakes. Again, be sure to select a matching left- and right-hand assembly for each axle.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Left Hand - 3,500 lbs
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brakes
- Electric Drum Brakes
- LH
- 3500 lbs
- Brake Assembly
- Self Adjust
- 10 x 2-1/4 Inch Drum
- etrailer
more information >
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