Will Water Damage Magnets if Electric Brakes are Installed on Boat Trailer

Published 01/31/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 12" - Left Hand - 6,000 lbs

(268)

$123.18

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(104)

$1.64

Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - 15123

(2099)

$11.54

Hopkins Engager Trailer Breakaway Kit w/ Charger, LED Tester, and 5 Ah Battery - Side Load

(754)

$62.26

Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - 25580

(2099)

$21.83

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6680)

$161.44

Easy Grease Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 5.2K & 6K Axles - 12" - 6 on 5-1/2 - Pre-Greased

(1744)

$187.67

Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 12-10 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Yellow - Qty 5

(1110)

$7.45

Grease Seal - Double Lip - 2.250" ID - 3.376" OD - GS-2250DL

(2406)

$12.34

Question:

will electric brakes work on a boat trailer without damaging the magnets since it will be submerged in water? should the brakes be unpluged when loading and unloading the boat? wanting to get away form the surge brakes.

asked by: Jerry E

Expert Reply:

Electric brakes, like the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Assembly # 23-458 that you referenced, are actually becoming more and more common on boat trailers. They used to not be so common because water and electricity don't play nice together, but if you unplug the trailer before backing it into the water you will be just fine.

Any trailer components that are submerged under water will wear quicker than parts that are not, but if you make sure to hose down your boat trailer with fresh water that will help to extend the life of your trailer parts. The magnets will still work just fine after being submerged, they will just wear faster being exposed to water.

The typical hub and drum assembly that works with 12" brakes like what you referenced would a hub and drum assembly like part # AKHD-655-6-EZ-K on our site. This hub has a 6 on 5-1/2" bolt pattern and uses Inner Bearing # 25580, Outer Bearing # 15123, and Grease Seal # GS-2250DL which is all included with this kit. You will want to verify that these bearings and the seal are compatible with your spindle before purchasing. Let me know if they are different and I can help you find the correct hub and drum assemblies.

If you already have a 7-Way on your trailer then you will simply need to run 10 Gauge Wire # 10-1-1 from the pin in the 7 o'clock position on your trailer 7-Way to your brake assemblies. You can connect any splices with Butt Connectors # DW05745-5. A breakaway kit, like part # 20099, is also required to activate the brakes in the case of an emergency.

You will also need a brake controller installed in your tow vehicle to activate the trailer brakes. If you don't already have one I recommend going with the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195. Let me know what the year/make/model of your tow vehicle is and I can give you some details on how to install the brake controller.

I have attached some videos and helpful articles for you to check out as well.