Parts Needed to Swap a Trailer With Surge Brakes to Electric Brakes

Updated 08/22/2023 | Published 08/21/2023

Products Featured in This Question

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

(242)

$939.94

Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Drum Brakes - 1,000 psi

(75)

$1124.41

Question:

My EZLoader trailer has two of the 2” square 3700 lb axles. I would like to ditch the hydraulic surge brakes and add electric brakes instead. The backing plate flanges have a 4 hole rectangular pattern. Is the and electric brake kit that will fit these axles?

asked by: John P

Expert Reply:

In order to swap your surge brakes to electric over hydraulic, you're going to need to change out your actuator and add a proper brake controller.

For an actuator I'd recommend going with the Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Drum Brakes # HBA-10 if you have drums, or # HBA16 for discs.

From here, you'll need a brake controller. I recommend checking out the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller # 90195. This brake controller will work great with electric brakes, can control up to 4 axles, and has a quick disconnect feature which lets you remove and store it when not in use.

The last thing you need to check out is your current actuator. There's a good chance that since you're swapping from surge to electric that you have an actuating coupler. Since the coupler won't be actuating anymore, I recommend locking it out or replacing it with a standard coupler. Once you've got that situated, you'll just need to run the brake lines that were going to the actuating coupler to the electric actuator.

expert reply by: Bryce D