Parts Needed to Add Electric Drum Brakes to Pop-Up Travel Trailer

Question:

I have several questions. I have a new pop up trailer and want to add brakes to it. It already has the 4 hole flange to mount them and has the 7 pin plug for my vehicle. is there anything I need besides the brake assembly and the hub with drum? My vehicle has the correct wiring and controller already. What is the difference bewtween the etrailer brake AKEBRK-2L and the Dexter 7inch brake? The AKEBRK-2L or dexter brake work with the 8-173-16UC3-EZ drums, correct?

asked by: Ty C

Expert Reply:

If your Safari already has a brake controller and functional 7-way socket, and your trailer already has brake flanges and 7-way wiring, then to add electric drum brakes you will need the left- and right-hand brake assemblies, hardware to mount them (# BIK-00), compatible hub/drum assemblies, a breakaway kit and wiring to connect the brakes to your trailer.

The linked article on adding electric drum brakes to a trailer may interest you. It covers everything needed.

Brakes should be selected based on your axle rating (usually appearing on a sticker on the axle beam itself). The 7 x 1-1/4-inch etrailer brakes # AKEBRK-2L that you referenced will work with 10-, 12- or 13-inch wheels on a 2K-rated axle. These are every bit as good as the Dexter brakes like # 23-48 but they cost less.

New hub/drums need to use the same bearings as your current idler hubs and have the same bolt pattern as your wheels. If your current hubs use inner and outer bearing # L44649 and have a 4-on-4 bolt pattern then Dexter hub/drum # 8-173-16UC3-EZ is a good fit. For a breakaway kit you can use # 50-85-315.

If your trailer does not already have a wiring junction box like # 38656 you may want to add one to simplify the wiring of your trailer connector and brakes. You'll also want ring terminals like # 44-5310A.