Electric Brake Compatibility on a Boat Trailer

Question:

Electric brakes on a boat trailer are able to be used without much issue at all. There obviously is an issue with water and electricity, so it is recommended to disconnect the trailer connection when your trailer is being submerged for launch. A few seconds after pulling out of the water, you can connect your wiring without any issues and have the functioning braking system that is easier to maintain. Many boat trailers are moving to electric systems. I do recommend using dielectric grease # 11755 on your connection points to keep moisture and debris out of the connection as much as possible. The heat shrink around the butt connectors is needed to keep the moisture out of the connection points and gives it a water tight seal. The electric brakes have the ease of use with a brake controller as you stated. I almost always recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195 for a controller because of its features. The proportional braking, manual override, constant diagnostics, and ease of use with the LCD screen that takes codes out of the equation is an extremely nice feature. For your trailer, you can use the Epicord 7-Way Molded Trailer Plug with Junction Box - 10' Long # 277-000141 to get the electrical functions and then add # 10-2-1 wiring to your electric brake assemblies. Ring terminals like # 44-5310A make these electrical connections easy.

asked by: Jason W

Helpful Expert Reply:

Electric brakes on a boat trailer are able to be used without much issue at all. There obviously is an issue with water and electricity, so it is recommended to disconnect the trailer connection when your trailer is being submerged for launch. A few seconds after pulling out of the water, you can connect your wiring without any issues and have the functioning braking system that is easier to maintain. Many boat trailers are moving to electric systems. I do recommend using dielectric grease # 11755 on your connection points to keep moisture and debris out of the connection as much as possible. The heat shrink around the butt connectors is needed to keep the moisture out of the connection points and gives it a water tight seal.

The electric brakes have the ease of use with a brake controller as you stated. I almost always recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195 for a controller because of its features. The proportional braking, manual override, constant diagnostics, and ease of use with the LCD screen that takes codes out of the equation is an extremely nice feature.

For your trailer, you can use the Epicord 7-Way Molded Trailer Plug with Junction Box - 10' Long # 277-000141 to get the electrical functions and then add # 10-2-1 wiring to your electric brake assemblies. Ring terminals like # 44-5310A make these electrical connections easy.

expert reply by: Jason S

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Jason W.

5/16/2018

Jason S.

5/16/2018

Thanks for the photos. Knowing you have a 3500 lb axle definitely helps as the sizes of hubs don't really vary for that particular spindle size. For your 2012 Dodge Durango, the Prodigy P3 # 90195 is an excellent choice and for your wiring adapter you will want # TK93VR. For your trailer, you will want the following parts: Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 3,500-lb Axles - 10" Diameter - 5 on 4-1/2 # AKHD-545-35-K Electric Trailer Brake Kit - Self-Adjusting # AKEBRK-35-SA Mighty Cord 7-Way RV-Style Trailer Connector w/ Molded Cable # A10-7W6 Wiring # 10-1-1 for the brake assemblies and connectors # DW05745-10 If you want the bearing buddy caps like in your photo, then use # BB1980A-SS.