Adding Electric Over Hydraulic Drum Brakes to a Trailer

Updated 02/06/2018 | Published 02/05/2018

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Hydraulic Trailer Brakes - Free Backing - E-Coat - 12" - Left/Right - 5.2K to 7K

(238)

$144.20

Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(2763)

$159.00

Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator Adapter Module for Ford and Chevy Brake Controllers

(126)

$252.67

Hydrastar Vented Marine Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Drum Brakes - 1,200 psi

(30)

$919.48

Hydrastar Marine Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator w/ Breakaway and 7-Way RV Harness - 1,200 psi

(83)

$997.27

Question:

Thanks for your response, My tow vehicle is a 2011 Chevy 3500hd 4wd ,dual wheels.It has a factory brake actuator and 7 flat plug. I don't know if the P2 unit would plug into those wires or not?

asked by: Duff P

Expert Reply:

With 6,000 pound axles they must take 12 x 2 inch assemblies. For a left and right side pair of assemblies you can use # AKFBBRK-7. We do not have an option for self-adjusting brakes in this size with a single-servo design.

For an actuator I recommend the Hydrastar # HS381-9066. This unit is rated to 1,200 psi so it provides a little extra kick above the 1,000 psi units. Since you have a couple of 6,000 pound axles you're going to want the best to slow the loaded trailer down. It also includes the breakaway system and wiring to add a 7-Way connector to the trailer. If the trailer already has a 7-Way and breakaway system then use # HS381-8066 for just the actuator.

Your tow vehicle will also need to have a brake controller that is compatible with electric over hydraulic brakes. There are not all that many that are compatible so you can't use just any controller. I recommend the P2 # 90885 because it is easy to set up and use and it is reliable.

If you can tell me the year, make, and model of the tow vehicle I can make some additional recommendations for adding a 7-Way connector to the tow vehicle. I have also included a link to our help article that explains everything needed to add electric over hydraulic drum brakes to a trailer.

expert reply by: Michael H

Duff

2/5/2018

Thanks for your response, My tow vehicle is a 2011 Chevy 3500hd 4wd ,dual wheels.It has a factory brake actuator and 7 flat plug. I don't know if the P2 unit would plug into those wires or not?

Michael H.

2/6/2018

Since your 2011 Chevy Silverado 3500 has the factory brake controller you can just use adapter # HBA-CAM and it will allow your factory controller to work with the Hydrastar actuator!