Components Needed to Add Electric Drum Brakes to a Tandem 3500-lb Axle Trailer

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Question:

I am trying to build a tandem axle dual electric brake trailer and was needed a list of everything required when I use 3500 lb Dexter axles with brakes minus the frame. Bulldog jack with heavy duty removable wheel and 2inch ball coupler

asked by: Marshall G

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Expert Reply:

To mount electric drum brakes on your 3500-lb axles you'll need to have brake flanges on the axle spindles. You'll also need to choose hub/drums and brake assemblies that match each other in size and capacity, and that match the bolt pattern of your wheels. Additional parts required on the trailer include the wiring components for the brakes, a breakaway kit and a brake controller in the tow vehicle. You might care to refer to the linked article on adding electric drum brakes to a trailer since it covers each of these items in detail.

As an example, we offer a complete axle kit # 35545E-ST-89 that consists of an 89-inch 3500-lb beam axle with brake flanges, 10 x 2-1/4-inch brakes assemblies and hub/drums, bearings, races, seals, grease caps, wheel studs, lug nuts, and marine-grade wheel bearing grease. This kit's spring centers are placed at 74-inches. The hubs have a 5-on-4-1/2 bolt pattern.

We also offer axle-less suspension systems from Timbren such as # A35RS545E that is also rated for 3500-lbs and that includes the same components but this type of kit allows you to have better ground clearance since it requires no axle beam. These units bolt right on to the trailer's frame. It may be necessary to reinforce the trailer frame at the installation points. All 3500-lb axles and kits are linked for you.

You'll need a 7-way plug like # H20046, a junction box # 38656 and ring terminals like # 44-5310A to wire the brakes and lights to the 7-way. We also offer a wiring installation kit # HM51020. An article on trailer wiring is linked for you as well. On an electric brake either wire can be ground or hot.

For a breakaway kit you can use # 20099 and for a brake controller I suggest the reliable Prodigy P2 # 90885. There may even be a quick-connect adapter harness made for your vehicle to allow easy plug-in installation. Please feel free to let me know your vehicle year/make/model/version and I will be glad to check for availability of a quick-connect wiring adapter.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Answer 1

First, a 5,200 pound axle is a de-rated 6,000 pound axle so they take many of the same parts. Some 7,000 pound axles also take the same size parts. The difference is the size or ability of the magnets. Sometimes you will see the same type of magnet…

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Answer 2

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 3

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 4

To find the load capacity for your axle you should look on the trailer VIN plate or sticker that lists the VIN number. The weight rating of the axle should be listed on that same plate or sticker. Also, the axle could have a tag or plate on it that…

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Answer 5

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 6

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 7

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 8

The difference between an load range C and load range D tire in the same size is the capacity and psi rating. The two tires will still have the same dimensions and fit on the same wheel. The D rated tire has a higher capacity. For a ST175/80D13 like…

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Answer 9

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 10

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Answer 11

The 5.30-12 tires, being wider, are going to make more contact with the road. This means that the noise, and heat build up will be higher than a 4.80-12 tire but the rolling resistance will actually be less because the tire is larger diameter. The…

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Answer 12

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Components Needed to Add Electric Drum Brakes to a Tandem 3500-lb Axle Trailer

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