Adding Brakes to One Axle on a 16 Foot Parker Trailer

Updated 10/03/2016 | Published 10/02/2016

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Adapter 4-Pole to 7-Pole and 4-Pole

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Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Left Hand - 3,500 lbs

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Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Right Hand - 3,500 lbs

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Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 3,500-lb Axles - 10" Diameter - 5 on 5 - Pre-Greased

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7-Way Molded Trailer Wire Connector, 6' Long

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Pollak 6-Pole, Round Pin, Trailer Wiring Socket - Vehicle End

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Pollak Replacement 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector Socket - Vehicle End

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Question:

I have a 16foot Parker trailer that came without any brakes. I want to add them to just ONE axle, just for a bit of added insurance now that I am hauling a compact tractor fairly often. I know That I have a 5 on 5 lug pattern and 15inch wheels. I believe I have 3500# axles and I DO have brake flanges on the axle already. I already have a brake controller and a 6 pin connector on my truck. Question #1: I think I need to add them to the front axle right ? Question #2: Will I have to pull one hub down and measure the spindle or will the 3500# Electric Brakes and 10inch hubs work for sure since it is 3500# axles ? Question #3: Will the wheel offset be the same as my non braked axle once I install the brakes ? I am looking at these hubs : AKHD-550-35-K and these brakes : AKEBRK-35L-SA and AKEBRK-35R-SA Thanks in advance for your assistance...

asked by: Robert S

Expert Reply:

The general rule when adding brakes to a tandem axle trailer is that if the trailer has torsion axles then the brakes should go on the front axle. If the trailer has straight axles with leaf springs then they go on the rear axle.

The 5 on 5 bolt pattern is not all that common. I recommend double checking just to be on the safe side. I have included a link that explains measuring bolt patterns.

If you do have a 5 on 5 bolt pattern then they are likely 3500 pound axles that use L68149 as the inner bearing and L44649 as the outer. But I also recommend getting the bearing numbers off of the trailer to be certain. You won't have to measure the spindle unless the bearings are missing or you can't read the numbers on them.

So if you find that you do have the 5 on 5 bolt pattern and the bearings used are the ones listed above then you can use hub and drum # AKHD-550-35-K. The wheel offset will remain the same.

Another thing to look at is the bolt pattern of the brake mounting flanges. Brakes that fit hub # AKHD-550-35-K such as # AKEBRK-35R-SA and # AKEBRK-35L-SA have a 4 bolt pattern.

You will also need the right connector on the trailer to plug into the vehicle side connector if they do not already match up. You mentioned having a 6-Way on the truck. A 6-Way is not all that common anymore and the vehicle side would look like # PK11609 with round pins. If this is what you have the trailer would need # 50-61-104 or a similar trailer side 6-Way.

If your connector has blade style pins like # PK11893 then you have a 7-Way RV-style connector which is much more common. If this is what you have then the trailer side would be # H20044 or a similar version.

Once you have the hub/drums and brakes installed it is just a matter of grounding the brake magnets and running the brake output wire from the trailer connector to the brake magnets.