Parts Needed to Add Electric Brakes to a Trailer

Updated 06/19/2014 | Published 06/17/2014

Products Featured in This Question

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

(1836)

$105.75

10 Gauge Wire - Blue Primary - Per Foot

(108)

$1.65

Pollak Black Plastic, 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector - Trailer End

(723)

$8.38

Quick Splices - Self-Stripping Connector - Closed Port - 10-12 Gauge - Yellow - Qty 1

(60)

$2.80

Question:

Do you sell a complete kit...brakes, hubs and parts noted above with a wiring kit? If no,t can you suggest a wiring kit for my utility trailer that I plan installing these electric brakes on. Also, is a trailer breakaway module required for trailer brakes? Thanks,

asked by: Mike M

Helpful Expert Reply:

Sounds like you are looking for everything needed to install electric trailer brakes on a trailer that did not originally come with electric brakes. I attached a link to an FAQ to the right that will walk you through the entire process.

As far as wiring, what you will need to do is run a wire from the front of the trailer to each brake location. You will need 10 gauge blue primary wire, part # 10-1-1, which is sold by the foot. I would recommend measuring where you will be running the wire to order the correct amount, and it would be a good idea to order a couple extra feet so that you are not short of wiring.

Start by leaving the wire loose at the front of the trailer and run to the farthest rear brake assembly on either side. Cut the wire to length and connect to the power wire of the brake using a butt connector. To connect the other brake assemblies run wire, part # 10-1-1 from the power wire of each individual brake assembly and tap into 1st wire that you ran back using quick splices, part # SWC501915-1. After making all the connections at the brake assemblies, you will want to wrap electrical tape, over all the connection points. Each brake assembly will have 2 wires, it does not matter which wire you use as the power wire, the other wire will be connected to the frame of the trailer as the ground.

After connecting the wires, you will need to connect the main wire at the tongue of the trailer. You will need to wire the blue wire into the 7-way connector. To do this you will need to take apart your 7-way connector and connect the wire to the inside tab of the 7-way that is labeled blue using a ring terminal. Since you will have the 7-way connector apart, I would recommend going ahead and replacing it using, Pollak Black Plastic 7-pole part # PK12706.

I have linked a video showing how to re-connect the wires when replacing 7-way connector as well as a picture showing the connection points on the inside of the 7-way connector and a diagram for running wires to the brake assemblies.

Typically breakaway systems are required in most states when the trailer weighs more than 3,000 lbs. For more information on them check out the FAQ link I also attached to the right.