Components Needed To Add Electric Brakes To Heavy-Duty Trailer

Question

Question:

I have a heavy duty trailer. How can I identify what brand of axles I have? I believe they are Dexter 12,000#. I would like to convert them to electric brakes. I do not intend to use this trailer for this heavy of loads as it has been modified. Would your 10,000# trailer electric brake fit on these axles? Do the kits come with the backing plate?

asked by: Mark S

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Expert Reply:

Many of the axles on trailers have a plate or sticker that lists the capacity and manufacturer.

These are the typical round axle diameters based on axle capacity:
1,000-lb - 2,000-lb Axles: 1-1/2 - 1-3/4 inch diameter
3,500-lb Axles: 2-3/8 inch diameter (Can have a 3-1/2 inch diameter, but rare)
6,000-lb - 7,200-lb Axles: 3 inch diameter
8,000-lb Axles: 3-1/2 inch diameter
9,000-lb Axles: 4 inch diameter
10,000-lb Or more axles: 5 inch diameter.

If you do not have a brake mounting flange on your axle, you can check out the attached link to our product page for the brake flanges we offer.

You would need to know the mounting bolt pattern on the brake flange and then choose brakes that would work for you. I have attached a link to our product page for the brakes we offer. the brakes do have a backing plate to mount to the brake mounting flange. You can mount 10k brakes on a 12k axle if they fit but would not get the best performance from the 10k brakes. They would need to work harder to provide sufficient braking and would wear out faster.

The Electric Trailer Brake Assembly, part # 23-451 you referenced is designed to fit 9k or 10k axles and fits 5 or 7 bolt mounting flanges. This is for the right-hand side (passenger side) of the trailer. For the driver side you would need part # 23-450.

I have attached a link to a helpful article that explains what is needed to add electric brakes to a trailer.

You will also need to run wiring from the trailer connector to the trailer brakes. And you need to convert your vehicle trailer connector to a 7-way to provide a circuit for the brakes. A brake controller will be needed as well. The brake controller I recommend is the prodigy P3, part # 90195. This is one of our best selling controllers because it is easy to install and operate.

A breakaway kit will also be needed for the trailer. This ensures the trailer brakes will be applied if the trailer should become uncoupled from the towing vehicle.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L

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Answer 1

The Dexter electric drum brake #23-451 you referenced in your question does not require an electric-over-hydraulic (EOH) actuator since it will be powered directly by a brake controller in the tow vehicle such as the Prodigy P3 #90195. The two Dexter…

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Answer 2

I don't have any way to look up parts for a specific trailer, if you can send photos I'd be glad to see if we have any options for replacement. That said, it looks like some use them use a fairly standard rectangular taillight for trailers…

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Answer 3

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 4

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 5

Hey Richard, thanks for reaching out! The Dexter DX7.5 Drop-N-Go Brake Actuator #099-175-00 is a great option for a replacement actuator because it's a direct replacement for the common Model 60 actuators that were popular in the '90s.…

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Answer 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

The recommended lug nut torque for your 7,000lb axle depends on a few factors like wheel size, stud size etc. Check out the attached photo which shows the torque specs for a variety of applications. I see you were looking at the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust…

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Answer 10

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 11

There really isn't a particular maximum trailer weight that is used to determine when brakes need to be added to both axles of a tandem axle setup. While I do still recommend checking your local laws, I am also not aware of any general laws that…

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Answer 12

If your trailer has 7 wires running all the way back to the brakes, then yes, you can tap into the existing wiring. Each of your new brakes will have two wires for the brake magnet. One wire is for 12 volt power to the brake magnets and the other…

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