Availability of Retrofit Disc Brake Kit with Surge Coupler for Single 3,500 Pound Axle Trailer

Question:

Looking for a complete retrofit kit to add disc brakes, surge, salt water use, back up release. Would include surge actuator, hubs if needed, calipers, rotors, pads to convert trailer with no brakes to a quality braking trailer. Single axle, estimate 3500 lbs. trailer is an older Calkins brand.

asked by: Dan

Expert Reply:

For a kit with coupler that will allow you to add disc brakes to your trailer you can use the Titan Disc Brake Kit and Leverlock Actuator with Electric Lockout # T4843300. This kit is for single axle trailer with a 3,500 pound axle. Included in the kit are 2 hub and rotor assemblies with L68419 inner bearings and L44649 outer bearings, RG06-050 grease seals, races, bearing protectors, brake calipers with mounting brackets and hardware, brake line kit, and the Titan Zinc-Plated Leverlock Brake Actuator with Electric Lockout.

The hub and rotor assemblies included with the kit are designed to fit on 3,500 pound axle capacities and will accommodate wheels from 13 inches to 15 inches. The hubs have a 5 on 4-1/2 inch wheel bolt pattern. You can check the existing bearings on your trailer to ensure that the kit's hub and rotors use the same bearings as your existing hub.

Since you mentioned that the trailer has previously not had brakes, you will also need to have a brake mounting flange # 4-35 installed on the trailer's axle if flanges are not already there. The # 4-35 brake mounting flange is for 2-3/8 inch diameter round trailer axles. A local, qualified welder who is experienced in trailer applications is the best person to install the brake mounting flange, since the installation is very precise. If the flange is installed incorrectly rapid brake lining wear, improper braking, trailer dog legging, bearing failure, rapid tire wear and, worst of all, weakening of the axle can occur.

One upgrade to the disc brake kit you may want to consider is with the brake lines. Since you mentioned using your trailer in salt water, I recommend using flexible brake lines rather than the traditional steel brake lines. The flexible lines will last longer in salt water applications than the steel lines. For a flexible brake line kit with an 18 foot long main line, you can use # 18SI-BLKIT. For a flexible brake line kit with a 15 foot long main line, you can use # 15SI-BLKIT.

I have linked a help article on adding hydraulic disc brakes to your trailer for you. This help article will walk you through the parts needed to add disc brakes to your trailer.