Parts Needed To Activate The Brakes On A Carson Tandem Axle Flatbed Trailer
Updated 01/19/2026 | Published 08/12/2024
Question:
I have a Carson dual axle car/flatbed trailer that came with the break-away brake feature on the rear axle, powered by a small battery. Can I convert this to a regular braking system by installing a controller on my tow vehicle?
asked by: Jon K
Expert Reply:
Hey Jon,
It sounds like your trailer is already set up with electric drum brakes and you're seeing the break-away switch/battery, which is a requirement depending on the weight of the trailer. The trailer should have a 7-way connector to plug into your tow vehicle and the tow vehicle would need to have a brake controller.
If you can tell me the year/make/model of your tow vehicle I'd be happy to pick out a brake controller for you.
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Josh B.
1/19/2026
Hey Jon, how did things go getting a brake controller set up for your Carson trailer? It’d be great to hear if the controller worked smoothly with your existing 7-way connection. Your update could make it easier for others working on a similar trailer setup.