Parts Needed to Convert to Electric Over Hydraulic Disc Brakes on 2018 Grand Design 5th Wheel

Published 09/14/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator Kit for Disc Brakes - 1,600 psi

(230)

$1225.48

Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - 15123

(2074)

$9.82

Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - 25580

(2074)

$21.85

Tekonsha Plug-In Wiring Adapter for Electric Brake Controllers - Ram

(811)

$28.60

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

(6643)

$155.79

Bearing Kit for Trailer Brakes with 12" Hub/Rotor - Easy Grease - 5,200 lbs to 6,000 lbs

(23)

$52.26

Wiring Kit for Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuators

(12)

$83.84

Kodiak Disc Brake Kit - 12" Hub/Rotor - 6 on 5-1/2 - Dacromet - 5,200 lbs to 6,000 lbs

(49)

$534.24

Question:

I would like to convert my electric drum brakes on my 2018 Grand Design 327 RST Reflection fifth wheel RV. I tow with a 2015 Ram 3500 deisel with factory brake controller. My RV has Lippert tandem axles Serial # 045-004465942 and Variant #V000379974. I believe they are 5200 pound axles. Current brakes are 12 inch drum with 6 lug by 5 1/2 inch spacing. What brake parts will I need to make a complete conversion? I have enclosed a picture of my axle label.

asked by: Jerry O

Expert Reply:

To get your electric drum brakes converted over to an electric over hydraulic dis brake set up, the HydraStar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator Kit for Disc Brakes - 1,600 psi # HBA16-252-82 is a great place to start. This includes all the lines/fittings needed for a single or double axle trailer as well as the actuator and the break away kit as well.

To complete the system, you will need the Kodiak Disc Brake Kit - 12" Hub/Rotor - 6 on 5-1/2 - Dacromet - 5,200 lbs to 6,000 lbs # K2HR526D. From what I could find, your axle will use the inner bearing # 25580 and outer bearing # 15123, which is exactly what this kit uses. These are not included though, so you will also need the # DBRKHW6EZ if you were not going to reuse your current bearings.

A potential add on will be the Trailer Wiring 7-Way Upgrade Kit w/ Junction Box # HS381-9000. This will have a 7 Way plug already wired in and will make connecting everything quite a bit easier to install.

I do also need to mention that factory brake controllers can be a little touchy about electric over hydraulic systems. It usually is fine with new systems like this and was the older systems that caused problem, but it is something to keep in mind. If you do run into an issue with your controller not actuating the brakes, you may need to install an aftermarket controller, like the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195. This has absolutely no issues with electric over hydraulic systems and the # 3024-P pigtail makes installation a breeze.

However, installing an aftermarket controller requires disconnecting of the Integrated Trailer Brake Module, or ITBM. This will activate a warning lamp on the instrument cluster. In order to get the warning lamp to turn off, you will have to make a trip to your local Dodge dealer to have the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM ) reconfigured.