Looking For Electric Brakes, Hubs And Breakaway Kit For A Boat Trailer With No Brakes

Updated 07/22/2024 | Published 07/10/2024

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Rubber Hitch Cover for 2" Trailer Hitches - Qty 1

(3309)

$12.32

Bright Way Trailer Breakaway Kit with 0.5-Amp Charger and 5 Ah Battery

(409)

$58.52

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

(6641)

$169.94

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

(3023)

$145.30

Easy Grease Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 3.5K Axles - 10" - 5 on 4-1/2 - Pre-Greased

(1706)

$96.74

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

(925)

$46.90

Question:

Looking for electric brakes for boat trailer 3500 lb single axel and 13 wheels. Need kit with break away battery.Pre greased drum hubs. Trailer is equipped with flange but not with brakes. Truck has trailer controller factory installed. Estimate please. Thank you

asked by: Steve F

Expert Reply:

Hello Steve, thanks for reaching out. The 3,500 lb axles use the standard 10" x 2-1/4" brakes, and for that I recommend the etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 3.5K # AKEBRK-35-SA. We also offer a pre-grease hub for a 3,500 lb axle, part # AKHD-545-35-EZ-K. This comes with a pre-greased hub, bearings, seals, races a grease cap and lug nuts.

For a breakaway I recommend the Bright Way Trailer Breakaway Kit with 0.5-Amp Charger and 5 Ah Battery # 3802339.

You may also need a 7-way trailer harness such as part # H20046. Keep in mind that you will need an electric trailer brake controller such as the Tekonsha P3 # 90195 in the cab of your vehicle. We have a guide that goes over adding electric brakes to your trailer, and you will find it linked below in the "featured help information" section. Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions for me.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Steven

7/20/2024

I was told that I cannot put electric brakes on boat trailer because after first time iback in water they would short out. Are your electric brakes waterproof?

Jesse M.

7/22/2024

@Steven Good question. Its no secret that water and electricity don't mix, and generally speaking, hydraulic brakes are better suited for boat trailers. The electric brake parts I mentioned are not waterproof. You will need to unplug the trailer from the tow vehicle anytime you submerge it. That said, electric brake components are usually less expensive, and easier to maintain and replace. Also, improvements in wiring insulation and heat shrink connectors have made it more and more common for boat trailer manufacturers to use electric brake assemblies instead of the traditional disc or drum hydraulic brakes. I have also worked with a lot of our own customers who do use electric brakes on their boat trailers without issue. In my opinion it comes down to how much you plan to use the trailer. If you will be doing short trips and submerging the trailer only a few times a season, electric brakes are a good choice. If you will be taking longer trips, and plan to submerge the trailer much more often, it may be worth investing in hydraulic brakes either disc or drum.