Parts Needed to Convert Trailer to Electric Drum Brake Operation  

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Expert Reply:

It is possible to have brake flanges welded to an axle that does not have them, but this requires specialized jigs that ensure perfectly correct alignment. Any errors in the orientation of the brake flange can cause all sorts of issues with brake performance and brake wear. This is not a typical DIY kind of project.

Often when converting a no-brakes trailer to electric drum brakes it is far easier and often also more cost effective to simply replace the axle with one that includes brake flanges, brake assemblies and hub/drums. You can review the linked article on adding electric drum brakes to a trailer to give you a sense of the effort required.

The linked page displays our trailer axles. We offer standard beam axles with brakes, such as Dexter 3500-lb axle kit # 35545E-ST-89. This axle is 89-inches long from hub face to hub face, with 74-inch spring centers and it includes brake assemblies along with 5-on-4-1/2 bolt pattern hubs, bearings, races, seals, and mounting hardware.

We also offer complete axle-less trailer suspension kits with brakes, from Timbren, such as 3500-lb kit # A35RS545E, shown in the linked video. These have no axle beam at all so they can provide superior ground clearance. They bolt on to your trailer frame.

The brake controller I recommend is the prodigy P2 # 90885. This unit offers excellent performance and features and is highly rated by our customers. Installation in your 2008 Buick Lucerne will require our install kit # ETBC7 and if the car does already have one, also a 4-pole wiring harness # 56047.

expert reply by: Adam R

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