Parts Needed to Add Hydraulic Drum Brakes to Used Boat Trailer Without Brakes

Question:

we bought used boat trailers. but that trailers have no brakes. so we have to install new brake. Sadly, I do not know anything about the trailer. I choosed T1878800, T1544600042 model. this is product is compatible possible? The size of our products have attached. And the specifications of the oil seal uses 171255UC.

asked by: Dy.cheon

Expert Reply:

If your used boat trailer never had brakes on it you may need to add some additional parts beyond the brake assemblies themselves. I attached an article that covers the process of adding hydraulic drum brakes to a trailer and this will explain the items required and the things to keep in mind as you plan the installation. You will need to know the axle's weight rating in order to choose brakes with enough stopping power. There is usually a sticker or plate on the axle that tells its weight capacity.

In order to install hydraulic drum brakes like the 10-inch Titan Uni-Servo Hydraulic Trailer Brake # T1878800 your trailer will need to have suitable brake flanges installed on the axles (4-bolt flanges in the case of the # T1878800). You will also need to have a surge coupler such as Demco # DM72VR or one of the others shown on the linked page. The coupler needs to be chosen based on the trailer weight capacity, type and size of tongue on the trailer, and with the correct ball size to match your tow vehicle's hitch ball. The Atwood coupler referenced above is rated for 6000-lbs, fits a straight trailer tongue and fits a 2-inch hitch ball. It has a manual reverse lockout to allow you to back up the trailer without engaging the brakes and it bolts on. You'll also need to add a brake line kit such as Kodiak Hydraulic Brake Line Kit # 20TA-BLKIT that is intended for 20-foot tandem-axle trailers.

If your trailer uses idler hubs now you will need to find their bearing numbers in order to select a hub/drum to replace it that will fit properly on your trailer's spindles. The bearings used in the new hubs must be the same ones that are currently on the trailer. Your new hub's dimensions must also match those of the brakes and have the same bolt pattern as your wheels do. For example, if your wheels are 14- to 17-1/2-inches, have a 5-on-4-1/2 bolt pattern and if they use bearings # L68149 and # L44649, you could use hub/drum # 84546UC3 along with the 10 x 2-1/4-inch brakes you referenced.

Additional help articles and product links are included for you.