Can Electric Drum Brakes Be Used on a Boat Trailer

Question

Question:

can you put electric brakes on a boat trailer?

asked by: Bill

0

Expert Reply:

You ask a very good question.

In recent years we've seen more and more boat trailer manufacturers installing electric drum brakes on their trailers as OEM equipment. In the past boat trailers almost always had hydraulic drum or disc brakes as standard equipment since this avoided the natural concerns about combining electricity and water. The main reasons for this shift towards electric drum brakes are their lower cost and easier installation as compared to hydraulics, and that insulating materials have improved a lot in the last 20 years.

It is a good practice when using electric brakes on your boat trailer to unplug the trailer connector from the tow vehicle before the brakes reach the water line. This will also help to protect your trailer lighting.

Brakes should be selected to match the axle capacity and you'll need both left- and right-hand assemblies. The linked page shows all electric drum brakes, ranging in size from 7 x 1-1/4-inches such as # AKEBRK-2L and # AKEBRK-2R up to 12-1/4 x 5-inches, such as # AKEBRK-12R and # AKEBRK-12L. Your axle(s) will need to have brake flanges installed; note that there are various mounting patterns for brakes. A 4-bolt pattern is common for lighter axles but others include 5-bolt and 6-bolt types.

You can simply click on the filters for axle capacity, drum diameter and width, and your preference for either manually-adjusting or self-adjusting brakes. Again, be sure to select a matching left- and right-hand assembly for each axle.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Answer 1

Yes, the Electric Trailer Brake Kit w/ Dust Shields #AKEBRK-12 will fit 12,000lb Dexter axles that mount with a 7-bolt flange. The brake pads are 12-1/4" in diameter and 5" wide.

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Answer 2

Hydraulic brakes are better suited for boat trailers for the simple fact that wires and water do not like to cooperate with each other, but the etrailer.com Self Adjusting Electric Trailer Brakes, #AKEBRK-35L-SA, can be used on a boat trailer…

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Answer 3

The 7 bolt brake mounting flange that the Electric Trailer Brake with Dust Shield part #AKEBRK-12R for right hand and part #AKEBRK-12L for left hand uses is an industry standard pattern so if you have a 9,000 lb to 15,000 lb axle then it will use…

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Answer 4

On a trailer as large and heavy as a tandem-axle 40-footer you really do want all four hubs delivering braking force. Wheel bearing grease, or oil from an oil-bath type hub, can certainly damage drum brakes. Usually such leakage will cause reduction…

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Answer 5

Since the brakes were working fine before, I would check the wiring to make sure the brakes are getting enough power. I do not recommend attempting to adjust your brakes, you do not want to over adjust them and cause further issues. I would start by…

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Answer 6

On each individual electric brake magnet the amperage draw would be 3.0 to 3.2 max amps at 12 to 13 volts on 7-inch brake magnets and 3.2 to 4.0 max amps at 12 to 13 volts on 10 and 12-inch brake magnets. The max amperage draw for the brake magnets…

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Answer 7

The Electric Trailer Brake Kit - 7" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 2,000 lbs #AKEBRK-2 mounts to a 4 bolt brake flange and would have a maximum amp draw of roughly 3.2 amps. These brakes do not come with brake mounting hardware so you'd…

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Answer 8

We do have what you need to add a 7-way trailer connector to your 2018 Subaru Outback Wagon but there isn't a specific custom harness that fits. If right now the Outback has no trailer wiring at all the easiest way to add a 7-way is to start with…

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Answer 9

Traditionally, trailer manufacturers did not use electric brakes on boat trailers because the brake magnet wiring and trailer wiring did not always have the best insulation or water protection. These days, more and more manufacturers are using…

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Answer 10

I have included a link to a video on adjusting self-adjusting brakes. Basically there is a device on the adjustment wheel on these brakes that prevents the shoes from adjusting back inward. You have to sort of move that out of the way to be able to…

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Answer 11

You don't have to do an initial adjustment with self-adjusting trailer brake assemblies, and since it's challenging for the reasons you mentioned I don't recommend doing it and personally wouldn't if it was my trailer. Easiest…

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Answer 12

You can increase the size of the wheels and tires on your boat trailer so long as you have enough room in the wheel/fender wells. Normal suspension travel usually dictates no less than 4-inches of clearance at the top of the tire. Provided you have…

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