Recommendation For Brakes And Drums For 3,500 Pound Capacity Axle  

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Expert Reply:

To add brakes, you will need 4 bolt mounting flanges that are hopefully already included on your axle. If not, you will need to work with a certified welder to get them properly added. Assuming you have flanges or will have them professionally added, you will need to select hub-and-drum assemblies that are compatible with your trailer spindles. You will do this by matching the bearings and seals of your trailer with the proper hub-and-drum assemblies.

Based on the information you sent me, it looks like you have a 3,500 lb trailer axle which often have inner bearings like Item # L68149 and outer bearings like Item # L44649. I do not know the bolt pattern of your wheels but the most common patterns are 5 on 4-1/2, 5 on 5, 5 on 5-1/2, or 6 on 5-1/2. I will make recommendations for all based on these bearings sizes. I have attached an article on "how to measure bolt patterns" in case you need it.

For a 5 on 4-1/2 bolt pattern with 10 inch diameter, I recommend Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly, Item # AKHD-545-35-K. This assembly works with electric and hydraulic brake assemblies and comes with bearings, races, and a grease seal.

For a 5 on 5 bolt pattern with 10 inch diameter, I recommend Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly, Item # AKHD-550-35-K. This assembly works with electric and hydraulic brake assemblies and comes with bearings, races, and a grease seal.

For a 5 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern with 10 inch diameter, I recommend the Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly, Item # AKHD-555-35-K. This assembly works with electric and hydraulic brake assemblies and comes with bearings, races, grease seal, grease cap, and lug nuts.

For a 6 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern with 10 inch diameter, I recommend the Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly, Item # AKHD-655-35-K. This assembly works with electric and hydraulic brake assemblies and comes with bearings, races, grease seal, grease cap, and lug nuts.

For electric brakes, I recommend Electric Trailer Brake Kit Item # AKEBRK-35. You will need to run wiring, Item # 10-1-1, from the front of the trailer to your trailer brakes to carry electric power to them. Each brake assembly will need 2 wires coming out of the back. One will be the ground and the other will receive power. See attached article for more details.

You will also need a brake controller and I recommend the Prodigy P3, Item # 90195, which will be hard wired to the wires present in your vehicle. This controller is a proportional controller that gives you more control over your braking and works with electric or electric-over-hydraulic trailer brakes. To complete the install, you will need a 7-Way installation kit like Item # ETBC7. If you do not have a 4-way connector, you will need to add one to your installation like Item # C59496.

You will also need a breakaway kit that applies your trailer's brakes if your trailer becomes uncoupled from the towed vehicle. Be sure to choose a breakaway kit that is recommended for use with the number of axles that have brakes on your trailer. If you have just one or two axles with brakes then a good breakaway kit is the Hopkins Breakaway Kit With Built-In Charger, Item # 20099.

If you are interested in hydraulic or disc brakes then let me know and I can send a recommendation.

If you have a different bolt pattern, different bearings, or have other questions, let me know and I will make correct recommendations.

Links to additional information and videos attached.

expert reply by: Brint H

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