What is Needed to Use an Electric Trailer Brake Controller with Trailer that Has Hydraulic Brakes

Question:

There are some posts on the internet about adding an electric control brake device to your trailer so that you get the response of electric brake with the reliability of hydraulic brakes. I have the hydraulic brakes on my trailer and I have an electric brake controller in my truck for my 5th wheel trailer. What device would I add to not only have the ability to back up without disconnecting the surge controller and where would I find one? Thanks for all you help.

asked by: Kim W

Helpful Expert Reply:

In order to use an electric trailer brake controller with a trailer that has hydraulic brakes you will need to select a controller that is compatible with an electric-over-hydraulic actuator. Not all trailer brake controllers have this capability. One that does is the popular and reliable Tekonsha Prodigy P2, part # 90885.

You will also need to replace your existing surge coupler or immobilize the internal part that compresses now when you apply the tow vehicle brakes. Since the surge coupler will no longer be providing the pressure for the brakes (that pressure will now come from the new actuator) you need to either install a standard coupler or drill and install bolts in the existing one to let it work as if it were a standard stationary coupler.

You will also need to install on the trailer an electric-over-hydraulic (EOH) brake actuator that will take in the signal from the brake controller and generate the pressure to operate your drum or disk brakes. You need to select an actuator suited to your particular type of brakes as their operating pressures are different. For drum brakes you can use Cargo Towing Solutions HydraStar # HBA-10, or for disc brakes you can use # HBA16. The two linked articles will be helpful to review as they cover lots of detail about these installations.

You will also need a breakaway kit like # 50-85-313.