Can Brakes Be Added To An Enclosed Trailer With A 3,500lb Axle

Updated 09/04/2024 | Published 08/25/2024

Products Featured in This Question

Aluminum Viking Series Valhalla Trailer Wheel - 14" x 5-1/2" - 5 on 4-1/2 - Silver Spoke

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etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - 10" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 3,500 lbs

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

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4" Carbon Fiber Digital Caliper

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Question:

I have a 6x10 enclosed cargo trailer single axle can I put brakes on the axle or not it’s a 3500 lb axle on 5x4.5bolt pattern it’s does not have brakes on it now it’s just a axle

asked by: Jared H

Expert Reply:

Hey Jared,

If your axle has a brake flange like I have pictured below then you would be able to mount a 3,500lb brake assembly # AKEBRK-35 (manual-adjust) or # AKEBRK-35-SA (self-adjust). You'll also need to replace your idler hubs with drums so we'll need to know what bearings and grease seals fit your spindle. If you can't read the part numbers on them anymore then you can measure your spindle with a caliper # PTW80157 at points B, C, and D from the diagram below and I can find a compatible hub.

expert reply by: Kevin C

Spindle Diagram
(click to enlarge)

Brake Flange
(click to enlarge)

Jared H.

9/4/2024

Does all 3500 lbs axle use the same size bearings and drum as a ilder hub I think it should be the same with out not measuring if I get a 3500 lbs brake assembly’s kit it should work right

Kevin C.

9/4/2024

@JaredH A majority of 3,500lb axle will use the same spindle but there are some outliers so it's best to always figure out what you have to find a compatible hub. For the brake assembly you would have a 4-bolt pattern with a 3,500lb axle and would be able to use either # AKEBRK-35-SA (self-adjusting) or # AKEBRK-35 (manual-adjust). You'd just need to make sure your axle does have a brake flange for the brake assembly to mount to first.

Jared H.

9/4/2024

@KevinC it does have a brake flange on it aready

Kevin C.

9/4/2024

@JaredH Perfect, you'll be able to bolt on the assemblies with part # BRKH10AS (per assembly). Once you measure the spindle just let me know the measurements and I'd be happy to figure out what bearings fit to pick out the right hub/drum assembly.