Parts Needed to Add Electric Drum Brakes to a 2003 Haulmark Trailer

Question:

I have a 2003 Haulmark trailer, model TS58SA, single axel, 2500 GVWR, 5 lug, 14inch typical white trailer rims, hitch welded on, no brakes. Im thinking that I would have to buy the 2 drum brake assemblies, 2 drum assemblies and a controller. Is there anything else I would need to do the entire job? What type of controller would I need? Electric vs. hydraulic? Right now the tire sticks out about 1/2 inch wider than the fender. There is about 3inch of height clearance. I have 2 different vehicles that I would be towing with. Both have 2inch receiver hitches. Im in no hurry for answers as Ill be gone till next Tuesday. That said I have a good bit of towing later this summer and I just found out that towing anything over 1,000 lbs. requires trailer brakes here in NC, the trailer alone weight around 1,000 lbs. I think the investment would be worthwhile just from the safety aspect. Thanks in advance for your help.

asked by: Bob H

Helpful Expert Reply:

The first thing you are going to want to check is if the trailer axle has brake mounting flanges to attach brake assemblies to. A brake mounting flange will look like # 4-44-1 or # 4-34. If the trailer does NOT have these they will have to be welded on by a qualified professional with experience with installing flanges. It requires a special jig because the flanges have to be perfectly straight and concentric.

You will also need the brake assemblies like you said, hub/drum assemblies, the proper wiring on the trailer and vehicles, and a brake controller for electric brakes which would be the easiest to retro-fit on the trailer.

To determine the proper hub/drum assemblies and brakes I will need to know the inner and outer bearing numbers stamped into the sides of the bearings. With that information I can tell you all the parts you will need. I have included a link to a help article that will also help.

For the vehicles I recommend using 7-Way trailer connectors if they don't have them already. I would need to know the year, make, and model of each vehicle to determine the parts needed to add 7-Ways. For the trailer you can use # H20042.

For a brake controller I recommend # 90885 because it is easy to set up and use and it is reliable. You would also need a second mounting bracket # P7685, to be able to mount the controller in each vehicle.