Installing Hydraulic Trailer Brakes on a Kristi Utility Trailer

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Question:

Id like to purchase hydraulic brakes for a 8x5 Kristi utility trailer. This is a light trailer, 2500 max, but I do not want to install a brake controller inside the vehicle so I prefer surge brakes. I am a mechanic and plan to install myself. Id like to know what suitable brakes and actuator you have for this.I just read you email all the way through and realized for the first time the Tekonsha 90250 option. Very interesting, but also expensive. this will be more expensive than hydraulic assuming the price of the brakes are similar. It is too cold outside to to extensive work, so I just took the wheel off and took a couple of pictures. Does it help?

asked by: Eli

0

Expert Reply:

There are two ways to go. Drum brakes and Disc brakes. To determine which assemblies will fit on your spindles we will need to know the inner and outer bearing and seal part numbers. We will also need the Brake Mounting Flange bolt pattern on the spindles and the bolt pattern and size of the wheels that are on your trailer. For the hydraulic actuator we will need the size of the trailer tongue where the actuator will mount.

If you will get back to me with your choices and the needed information I will be glad to recommend the needed parts for you. I have posted some links below to some items that may help you in making your decisions.

Another possibility would be electric brakes with the trailer mounted Tekonsha Prodigy RF Brake Controller, item # TK94FR.That Helps somewhat. Now I have more Questions. I spoke to Kristi trailer and they said since you have an easy lube hub that you either have a 2000 pound gross weight rating or a 2990 pound gross weight rating. This means that there are two different hubs that are used. One has the same inner and outer bearing and the heavier axle has two different sized bearings. Your bolt pattern is most likely 5 on 4-1/2 inches. You should measure (see link) to be sure and if you get 2-5/8 inches between the bolt hole centers on the wheel then 5 on 4-1/2 is correct. The hole spacing on the mounting flange should be 2-7/8 inches on center.

If it is a 2000 pound axle, and my assumptions are correct, then you will need the # 8-257-5UC3 Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly along with 7 x 1-3/4 inch brake assemblies, part numbers, # 23-398 and # 23-399 for hydraulic brakes or # 23-47 and # 23-48 for electric brakes. With this hub you will need to reuse the EZ-Lube grease caps or purchase new ones, # RG04-040.

If it is a 2990 pound rating for the axle, and my assumptions are correct, you will need the # AKHD-545-35-EZ-K, Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly along with 10 x 2-1/4 inch brake assemblies, part numbers, # 23-312 and # 23-313 for hydraulic brakes or # 23-26 and # 23-27 for electric brakes.

After you get the brakes and hubs figured out you will then just need to decide which way you want to go. Electric would be easier but may cost a small amount more but would not require the fabrication of a mount for a hydraulic actuator.

expert reply by: Robert G

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Answer 1

We do have self-adjusting electric trailer brakes that will fit in place of your manual adjust 10 x 2-1/4 brakes. You can use our house brand, #AKEBRK-35R-SA for the right and #AKEBRK-35L-SA for the left. If you want the Dexter brand then use #23-469…

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Answer 2

The Dexter Nev-R-Adjust electric trailer brakes can be manually adjusted. There are a couple teeth of the adjustment wheel that are exposed just under the lever that you referenced. I have attached a photo showing the teeth. You will likely need a…

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Answer 3

Even though I cannot comment specifically on the grease you used because I am not familiar with it, I can tell you the best grease for trailer bearings is a a grease with a rating of GC-LB, which just means it is made to withstand very high…

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Answer 4

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 5

You are going to want either our Bearing Kit #BK2-100 or the Timken Kit #TMK52VR. Both of these kits will give you the inner/outer bearings and races along with a grease seal and cotter pin/D-washer for one hub. You always want to replace the race…

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Answer 6

Trailer wheel bearings are specific to the spindle that is installed on the axle that is on your trailer. You will need to safely support the trailer, remove the wheel and tire, remove the grease cap, remove the cotter pin and washer that secures the…

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Answer 7

Hey Dan, The info you provided does tell us a bit about the axle but isn't enough to look up what components go with with it. With it being a 3,500lb axle it's probably a generic 3,500lb kit for the bearings and seals but I'd hate to not…

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Answer 8

In order to verify the spindle dimensions so that you can pick out the correct hub/drum you have to get exact dimensions. For that you need to use a digital caliper like part #PTW80157. For how old your trailer is this is especially important as the…

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Answer 9

To determine the size of the hub assembly you need to purchase you have to determine which bearings are in the old assembly. If the old assembly has L44649 inner bearings, you would use the hub you chose #8-258-5UC1. If the inner bearings are marked…

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Answer 10

To determine the size of the brake assemblies you need you have to measure the depth and width of the hub drum on the axle like what you see in the picture I attached. The most common size is 2-1/4 inch wide like the #T4071600-500 that you…

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Answer 11

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

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Answer 12

Hi Rusty; the Dexter #84546UC3-EZ and etrailer #AKHD-5475-35-K will both fit a 3,500 lb axle but they have different bolt patterns. You already ordered the Dexter in the past so I'm assuming your wheels are 5 on 4-1/2. For the same bolt pattern…

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Installing Hydraulic Trailer Brakes on a Kristi Utility Trailer

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