Adding Trailer Brakes to a 3.5K Dexter EZ Lube Axle and Brake Control/7-Way on 2016 Subaru Outback

Updated 04/25/2018 | Published 04/23/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Tekonsha Primus IQ Trailer Brake Controller - Up to 3 Axles - Proportional

(2156)

$90.04

Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes - 10" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 3.5K

(1627)

$220.21

Trailer Wiring Junction Box

(821)

$31.53

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

(1075)

$148.11

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

(2763)

$159.00

Curt Soft Trac II Trailer Breakaway Kit with 5 Ah Battery and Clamp On Case - Top Load

(33)

$51.73

Adapter 4 Pole to 7 Pole and 4 Pole w/Test Lamps

(312)

$41.73

Curt Easy Mount Bracket for 4- or 5-Way Flat and 6- or 7-Way Trailer Connectors - 2" Hitch

(149)

$33.93

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3397)

$121.25

Hopkins 7-Way RV Style Connector with Molded Cable - Trailer End - 8' Long - RV Standard

(925)

$46.90

Question:

I have an Ecohitch Receiver and Curt T-Connector wiring harness on order. I want to add brakes to a utility trailer with a Dexter 3,500 lb. E- Z lube Axle , which has the 4-hole 2-7/8inch spacing backing plates. These are the parts I am considering ordering: PARTS FOR ADDING BRAKES TO TRAILER WITH DEXTER 3500# EASYLUBE AXLE Brake set 10” L/R brakes 23-468-469 Drum and Hub 10” 2 req’d 84556UC3-EZ 7-pole male connector w/cable H20046 Breakaway kit C52026 PARTS FOR 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK TOWING: Tekonsha Primus IQ brake controller TK90160 4-7 pole harness C57674 Connector mounting bracket C58000 additional wire to be purchased locally Does this list seem to be complete / correct / best choices for this application? Does the Connector mounting bracket fit properly on the EcoHitch receiver? Or do you have a better option for mounting the 7- and 4- pin connector to the EcoHitch? Thank you for your help. and thank you for all the great videos and installation instructions.

asked by: Joanne T

Expert Reply:

The brakes you have chosen, # 23-468-469, are compatible with the hub and drum assembly # 84556UC3-EZ and those assemblies will fit the Dexter 3.5K EZ Lube axle. The thing about this hub and drum is the bolt pattern. It has a 5 on 5 bolt pattern which is not very common anymore. I would verify that is indeed the pattern you need by using our help article on measuring for bolt pattern which I have linked for you. If you have a different bolt pattern let me know and I can make some recommendations.

Wiring harness # H20046 for the trailer side is a fine choice so no issues there. I do recommend addition a junction box, # 38656, which will make troubleshooting any future problems easier and it helps keep things organized.

Breakaway kit # C52026 is also a fine choice. Breakaway kits are so simple that pretty much any of them will do a good job.

The Primus IQ brake controller # TK90160 is a decent controller. If it were me though I would go with the P2 # 90885 because it doesn't have the mounting restrictions that the IQ has.

To add the 7-Way I actually recommend # ETBC7 because it comes with all the additional parts, circuit breakers, and so on that you would need to install it and the brake controller. If you went with # C57674 you would not only need additional wire but also the circuit breakers for the 12 volt circuit and brake controller. Might as well get it all in one package using ETBC7.

I don't see any reason why # C58000 would not fit the 2 inch EcoHitch. But on the off chance there was a fit issue you could always use the mounting bracket that comes with the ETBC7 (if you go with the ETBC7) as an alternate mounting method.