Parts Needed to Add Electric Drum Brakes to Trailer

Question

Question:

My utility trailer has no brakes, but does have the flanges installed on Dexter 2200# torsion axle, with 13 inch 5 bolt wheels and ez lube fitting. Will your 2000# 7inch brakes work? What is the difference between your two 7inch brake offerings besides cost? What parts do I need, including the mounting of the brakes to the flanges? thanks!

asked by: Sam B

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Expert Reply:

The linked article gives you a recap of what is needed to add brakes to a trailer.

Since your trailer's 2200-lb axle already has brake flanges installed, adding brakes to it will require you to select left- and right-hand brake assemblies and hubs/drums to replace your idler hubs. The new hubs have to use the same inner and outer bearing as your old hubs to ensure they will fit on your existing spindles. Check the mounting bolt pattern on the flanges to ensure they match the 4-bolt pattern on the brakes we offer.

All 2K-rated brakes in the 7 x 1-1/4-inch and 7-1/2-inch sizes are shown on the linked page. I suggest the cost-effective Axle Tek option, part # AKEBRK-2, which are 7 x 1-1/4-inch. This is both a left and right electric brake in one kit. These will work with 13-inch wheels. Use hardware kit # BRKH7. Either brake wire can be used as ground or hot; they are not polarized so it does not matter which wire connects to the trailer frame.

Hub/drum assemblies are shown on the other linked page. If your current hubs use L44649 as both inner and outer bearing you can use E-Z Lube hub # AKHD-545-2-EZ-2K. These use the popular 5-on-4-1/2 bolt pattern (please see the linked article for more).

You will also need to wire your brakes to the trailer. I suggest using a junction box like # 38656 which will enable you to join the existing wiring and the new brake wiring together in a protected location. We also offer a trailer wiring kit complete with junction box and 7-way plug, part # HS381-9000.

Your tow vehicle will also need to have a brake controller like the Prodigy P2 # 90885 to activate the trailer brakes.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Answer 1

I think you are going in the right direction. I would definitely replace the 14 gauge wire going to the trailer brake magnets with 10 gauge wire or larger. Usually larger than 10 gauge is hard to get into the trailer connector though. I would also…

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Answer 2

The reason that 10 Gauge #10-1-1 or 12 Gauge #12-1-1 wire is recommended for 10" brake assemblies, like part #AKEBRK-35-SA, is because they pull more power than the lights on your trailer. I believe the green wire you are referring to carries…

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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

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 5

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 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

The manual lockout on your Atwood 85778 surge brake coupler is there so that you can back up the trailer without the brakes locking up on you. Yes you can safely tow your trailer with the broken manual lockout, you just have to make sure you…

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Answer 11

A BT8 spindle would have a diameter of .99 of an inch where the bearings would both install and would have a diameter of 1.24 where the great seal would ride. That would require a hub part #AKIHUB-440-2-1K for an idler hub. A BTR spindle would have…

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Answer 12

Depending on how the trailer was made, there will be a few spots you can check to identify the axle. First, if the trailer was pre-made by a specific company, you may be able to find this information in either the paperwork or on a placard somewhere…

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