Can Electric Brakes Be Installed On One of The 3,500-Lb Axles of a Tandem Axle Utility Trailer

Updated 01/15/2020 | Published 09/27/2011

Products Featured in This Question

Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 10" - Right Hand - 3,500 lbs

(260)

$47.08

Brake Mounting Flange for 2-3/8" Round Axle

(25)

$25.51

#84 E-Z Lube Spindle w/ Brake Flange for 3,500-lb Trailer Axle - 1-3/4" Diameter

(162)

$95.43

Question:

I am looking to install electric brakes on a 3500# tandem axle 16 flat utility trailer. Are there any issues with only installing brakes on one of the axles and leave the other with regular drag axle?

asked by: Jeremy M

Expert Reply:

I would first check with the laws in your state as far as how many brakes are required for the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of your tandem axle trailer. Some states require brakes on both axles of a tandem axle trailer.

If brakes are allowed on one axle I would recommend to put them on the front axle since that is the axle that will be bearing the most weight of the trailer. Also, when stopping the trailer, the weight of the trailer will be shifting to the front axle more than the rear axle so it will be best to have the brakes stop the front axle.

To install electric brakes on an axle you will need to have brake mounting flanges, like the Redline Brake Mounting Flange, part # 4-35, on the axle to be able to accept the brake assembly. Depending on the brand of axle you have the brake mounting flange will either be a four bolt pattern or a five bolt pattern. When ordering the electric brakes, you will want the brake assembly to match the bolt pattern of the mounting flange and also use the same bearing and seal part numbers that you have now. I am including a link to a video that will show you how to install electric brakes to a trailer that does not have brakes.

If your trailer does not have brake mounting flanges it will need to have the flanges welded to the spindles, which is not something we recommend most people doing. Most spindles have these welded on at the factory with specialized jigs and high precision welding equipment. I would recommend to have the flanges welded on by a professional trailer repair facility.

We recommend replacing the spindle with a new spindle that has the flange welded on from the factory. We do have a TruRyde #84 EZ Lube Spindle, part # TRU74FR , for 3500 pound axles with a flange welded on.

expert reply by: Jeff D

Eric C.

1/11/2020

Can I install 3500 # electric Brake assbly on 1750 # axle. It comes with 4 bolt mounting flange

Jacob H.

1/15/2020

You should be able to you just won't have to set your brake controller as high as you did before with the smaller break assembly. I would recommend driving around after you get them installed and testing them with out a load and make any adjustments necessary.