Parts Needed to Add Trailer Brakes to 3500-lbs Axles on Boat Trailer

Published 10/06/2021

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 3,500-lb Axles - 10" Diameter - 5 on 4-1/2

(1096)

$139.66

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(108)

$1.61

Dexter Trailer Idler Hub Assembly for 3,500-lb Axles - 5 on 4-1/2

(893)

$88.36

etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 3.5K

(3202)

$154.49

Mounting Hardware for 10" Brake Assemblies

(426)

$20.32

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

(1152)

$13.21

Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - L44649

(2147)

$22.82

Replacement Trailer Hub Bearing - L68149

(2147)

$18.41

Question:

I have a dual axle boat trailer that currently does not have nor has it ever had brakes of any type. Although my boat is 20+ feet long its fairly lightweight but would still feel safer while towing if I had at least one brake axle. My truck has a controller and I rewired the trailer/plug for brakes sometime ago but just now getting to the job. The axles have a tapered spindle that use L44649 and L68149 bearings and run 14 inch wheels. What would be a good brake/hub system for this application. I would of course want a decent breakaway kit. Im a retired aircraft mechanic and confident I can handle the installation but want to make sure I get all the right parts the first go-round. My other question is, with the brake hubs on one axle and a non-brake hub on the other, will the brake axle tires stick out further than the non?? Thanks!!

asked by: Ed H

Expert Reply:

We definitely have the parts you're looking for, and you can put drums on both axles even if you don't want to install brakes on the rear but you don't have to. You do want to confirm that your axles are equipped with brake mounting flanges where the spindle and axle are joined, since these would be required to add brakes to the axles.

Assuming that you've got brake mounting flanges then to replace your hubs with a hub and drum assembly you'll want to use the Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 3,500-lbs - 10" Diameter - 5 on 4-1/2 # 84546UC3, which use the # L68149 and # L44649 bearings that you've got in your current hubs. If you need new idler hubs for the non-braked axle use # 84545BX. For the brakes I recommend using the Electric Trailer Brake Kit - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 3,500 lbs # AKEBRK-35-SA because they're self adjusting and will limit the maintenance you'll need to do once they're installed. These brakes do not come with mounting hardware included so you'll also need the # BRKH10B to mount these to the brake mounting flanges.

For a breakaway kit I recommend using the Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit with Built-In Battery Charger - Top Load # 20400, which is a nice quality breakaway kit that gives you the ability to test the battery and the built in charger ensures that it stays at full charge.

To complete all of the wiring you can get 10 gauge wire by the foot # 10-1-1 and use Deka Heat Shrink Butt Connector - 12-10 Gauge - Nylon Insulation - Yellow - Qty 10 # DW05745-10 to make all of your connections.

I've linked some installation and review videos of these parts for you to check out as well.