Can Electric Brakes Be Added To A Small Camper Trailer Towed By A Motorcycle?
Updated 05/28/2026 | Published 05/22/2026
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Question:
Hello I have a camper trailer which I tow behind my motorcycle.It currently has a maximum loaded weight of 250kg. I would like to put electric brakes on the trailer for emergency stopping and also to assist with braking behind the bike as not get pushed around. I would to stay with the original alloy 8 iinch wheels. Would you be able to assist me with a brake kit I can fit up to my axle?
asked by: Mick
Expert Reply:
Hey Mick, thanks for reaching out. We might have a brake kit option for you, but we'll need to take a closer look at your axle to be sure its brake-ready.
First, you'll want to make sure the axle is equipped with a brake flange. That is a square metal piece welded to the base of the spindle. It should have 4 holes in a square pattern. If no brake flange is present, you can have them welded on, or the axle can be replaced with one that is brake ready.
If the brake flange is already present, brakes can be added. From there, we'll need to determine your bearing sizing. That way we know what hubs will fit. The best way to determine that is with the casting number on the back of the hub. Usually, we can use that to look up your hub and bearing specs. Or if that fails you can pull a hub and measure the ID of each bearing with a micrometer.
Also, on that note, we do not offer and braking hubs that work with 8" wheels, so it would require upgrading to at least a 10" wheel. We would just want to be sure there is enough clearance in the wheel well area for that upgrade. Ideally, you want at least 3" between the tire and the fender, and at least 1" between the inside of the tire and the trailer frame.
One last thing, in order to use electric brakes, you'd have to wire up a standard 7-way trailer plug to your bike. Then add on a brake controller like the Curt Venturer NEXT # C99PQ, plus a breakaway kit.
Honestly, adding brakes can be done but most small trailers are not set up for electric brake capability so some work will need to be done to get it that way.
We have an article that goes over how to add electric drum brakes to a trailer, and I've linked that for you below. Should give you a pretty good idea of what you're in for.
Does your axle have a brake flange? Is this something you would be doing yourself, or would you take it to a shop?
Ben S.
5/27/2026
The brakes and drums I received work week but have been wearing fast. The reason they are wearing out it going out of adjustment is the drums were not trued at the factory. I need to take then and get them turned fit better braking action and less wear. I really can't add anything else to what Jessie M has stated
Product Page this Question was Asked From
etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - 7" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 2,000 lbs
- Trailer Brakes
- Electric Drum Brakes
- Standard Grade
- Manual Adjust
- 7 x 1-1/4 Inch Drum
- 2000 lbs Axle
- 10 Inch Wheel
- 12 Inch Wheel
- 13 Inch Wheel
- etrailer
more information >
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Jim
5/27/2026
I am completely happy with the trailer brakes I purchased. I recommend adding a dab of JB Weld to the magnet retaining clip (name brand has the same design issue). If the clip comes out, the magnet will have too much play and it can become bound up and the wire can pull out. MC Trailer brakes are usually wired in a triangle manner and if any wire breaks, neither break will work which is desirable as you don’t want only one side braking.