Using an Electric Trailer Brake Controller With Boat Trailer Hydraulic Brakes

Updated 06/25/2014 | Published 06/22/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class IV - 2"

(293)

$259.75

Tekonsha Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(2763)

$159.00

Demco Hydraulic Brake Actuator w/ Drop - Disc - Zinc - 2" Ball - 8,000 lbs

(26)

$324.18

Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller - 7-Way RV and 4-Way Flat - 10 Gauge Wires

(3395)

$121.25

Question:

Hello. I am a biologist so please bear with me. Im interested in the concept of your Brake Controller and would like to have that to tow my 5,000 boat with my 2012 BMW X5. However, 1 my vehicle has a standard 4-way flat electric trailer plug. Is there a retrofit available? Should it be installed by an expert? 2 My boat trailer does not have electric brakes can it be converted or should I purchase another trailer with electric brakes? Thank you.

asked by: Gerard F

Helpful Expert Reply:

The 2012 BMW X5 has a rated towing capacity of 6000-lbs according to my research and for this vehicle we offer several Class III hitches (viewable on the link provided) that share this same maximum towing capacity, along with a tongue weight limit of 600-lbs. Note that these hitches do not fit the M model. You'll want to be sure that your fully-loaded boat/trailer does not exceed the towing or tongue weight capacities of either the vehicle or the hitch (your hitch should have a sticker to indicate its capacity).

Boat trailers typically have hydraulic brakes, rather than electric brakes, due to the uneasy relationship between water and electricity. Boat trailers generally use either a mechanical surge coupler to generate hydraulic braking force, such as Demco # DM8669113, or they have an electric-over-hydraulic braking actuator, such as the Titan BrakeRite # T4813102 that takes an electrical braking signal from a brake controller and converts it to hydraulic pressure for the disk brakes on the trailer. If you have drum brakes, you would need to add the reducer part # T4844100 along with the actuator # T4813102.

To use an electric brake controller with your trailer you will need a controller like the Prodigy P2 # 90885, a brake controller install kit # ETBC7 and an electric-over-hydraulic actuator suitable for the type of brakes on your trailer.

For reference I have linked both installation articles and video for the ETBC7 kit.

expert reply by: Adam R