Adding Brakes to One Axle on a 16 Foot Parker Trailer

Question

Question:

I have a 16foot Parker trailer that came without any brakes. I want to add them to just ONE axle, just for a bit of added insurance now that I am hauling a compact tractor fairly often. I know That I have a 5 on 5 lug pattern and 15inch wheels. I believe I have 3500# axles and I DO have brake flanges on the axle already. I already have a brake controller and a 6 pin connector on my truck. Question #1: I think I need to add them to the front axle right ? Question #2: Will I have to pull one hub down and measure the spindle or will the 3500# Electric Brakes and 10inch hubs work for sure since it is 3500# axles ? Question #3: Will the wheel offset be the same as my non braked axle once I install the brakes ? I am looking at these hubs : AKHD-550-35-K and these brakes : AKEBRK-35L-SA and AKEBRK-35R-SA Thanks in advance for your assistance...

asked by: Robert S

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Expert Reply:

The general rule when adding brakes to a tandem axle trailer is that if the trailer has torsion axles then the brakes should go on the front axle. If the trailer has straight axles with leaf springs then they go on the rear axle.

The 5 on 5 bolt pattern is not all that common. I recommend double checking just to be on the safe side. I have included a link that explains measuring bolt patterns.

If you do have a 5 on 5 bolt pattern then they are likely 3500 pound axles that use L68149 as the inner bearing and L44649 as the outer. But I also recommend getting the bearing numbers off of the trailer to be certain. You won't have to measure the spindle unless the bearings are missing or you can't read the numbers on them.

So if you find that you do have the 5 on 5 bolt pattern and the bearings used are the ones listed above then you can use hub and drum # AKHD-550-35-K. The wheel offset will remain the same.

Another thing to look at is the bolt pattern of the brake mounting flanges. Brakes that fit hub # AKHD-550-35-K such as # AKEBRK-35R-SA and # AKEBRK-35L-SA have a 4 bolt pattern.

You will also need the right connector on the trailer to plug into the vehicle side connector if they do not already match up. You mentioned having a 6-Way on the truck. A 6-Way is not all that common anymore and the vehicle side would look like # PK11609 with round pins. If this is what you have the trailer would need # 50-61-104 or a similar trailer side 6-Way.

If your connector has blade style pins like # PK11893 then you have a 7-Way RV-style connector which is much more common. If this is what you have then the trailer side would be # H20044 or a similar version.

Once you have the hub/drums and brakes installed it is just a matter of grounding the brake magnets and running the brake output wire from the trailer connector to the brake magnets.

expert reply by: Michael H

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Answer 1

Not all bearings are created equal, but you would be hard-pressed to find one that is vastly superior than another. Whether it is TruRyde, Timken, or some other brand, if the bearings are properly maintained, used in the correct hub, and within the…

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Answer 2

The outer bearing in the TruRyde Bearing Kit, part #BK3-300, is part #LM67048. This outer bearing has an internal diameter of 1.25 inches and uses a bearing race #LM67010 with an outer diameter of 2.328 inches. The bearing kit #BK3-300 is designed…

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Answer 3

In some situations, brakes can be installed on only one axle of a tandem axle trailer, however you should first check your state laws to see how many brakes are required for the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of your tandem axle trailer. Some…

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Answer 4

The tire size ST205/75-15 like part #TR20515D will fit in place of a 7.00-15 as the widths are very similar but the tire height will be about 2 inches shorter overall.

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Answer 5

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 6

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 7

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 8

Load range B trailer tires are going to have a lower capacity than C load range tires. Basically that, psi rating, and the ply rating are the only differences. A higher load range tire would last a little longer than lower load ranges of the same…

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Answer 9

The three most common lug stud sizes for a trailer are 1/2"-20, 9/16"-18, and 5/8"-18. In order to make sure you get the correct lug nuts you need to measure the lug studs on the trailer now as we have no way to look this up for…

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Answer 10

Your math is correct in your trailer weight load example. If a fully-loaded tandem axle trailer weighs 4000-lbs then each of the 4 tires will bear 1/4th of that load, or 1000-lbs. In this case a tire rated for 1300-lbs would provide a good safety…

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Answer 11

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 12

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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