Adding Parking Brakes To Jayco Feather 19XUD

Question:

What would I use if I wanted to convert to hydraulic brakes?

asked by: Rafael S

Expert Reply:

You are only be able to add parking brakes to your trailer brakes if those brake assemblies are already equipped with a parking brake actuator. You can tell if your brakes are equipped with a parking brake by looking at the backing plate-there will be an actuating lever at the top of the brake assembly that attached to parking brake cable (see photo). If your brakes are not equipped with a parking brake feature, then you could wire a switch that would power the brakes when you are parked, however, this will drain a battery if you are using a trailer battery or vehicle battery, so it isn't really recommended and likely wouldn't qualify under the regulations you're trying to comply with.

If your current brakes are not equipped with the actuator lever, you could replace your brake assemblies with ones that do have parking brake capabilities like the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # K23-086-087-00 which will work with wheels up to 15" and are designed for 3500-lb axles. You'll want to confirm the axle capacity on your tandem axles is 3500-lbs. If you actually have 2200-lb axles you'll need the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # K23-103-104-00 which works for wheels 10"-13" in diameter.

We do carry some European style trailer hitches like the Curt # C114242 so if you can let me know what type of tow vehicle you're using I can try to find one that will work on your vehicle.

expert reply by: Erik B

click to enlarge

Rafael

10/23/2019

I've actually got 2500-lb Lippert axle V000408992

Erik B.

10/23/2019

Thank you for the picture of your axle sticker. I checked with Lippert and your V000408992 axles currently have 10" x 2-1/4" electric brake assemblies. In order to replace your old electric brakes with electric brakes that are equipped with a manual parking brake lever you will use the 3500-lbs assembly mentioned above with part # K23-086-087-00 . These are the correct fit for your Jayco Jay Feather 19XUD. We do not currently have any parking brake cables, so you would need to source that from an autoparts store to create a cable and lever to activate these brakes.

Rafael

10/23/2019

What would I use if I wanted to convert to hydraulic brakes?

Erik B.

10/23/2019

There are currently no hydraulic brake kits that will fit your axle size that have the emergency brake lever on them and they don't start getting added on until the axle has a 6000-lb capacity. If you wanted to convert to disc brakes you could use the Titan Disc Brake Kit and Swing Away Actuator # T4843400 , but this would not have a parking brake equipped on it, so it wouldn't really solve the issue. I did some more research and it looks like the Titan Breakaway and Parking Kit for Drum Brakes # T2385200 has worked very well in most cases with very slight modifications needed for connection to the mechanical lever on the back of the brake assemblies. This modification is basically adding a bolt, washer and nut that you will wrap the cable around much like a bicycle brake. You should also consider adding a breakaway system like the Hopkins # 20099 if you don't already have one equipped on your trailer as this would provide an additional layer or protection if the trailer were ever to come uncoupled while towing.