Options for Adding Brakes to King Single-Axle Boat Trailer

Question:

Hey there, eTrailer folks. I have a roughly 2012 era King trailer with SuperLubeinch hubs and spindles in which the bearings have failed on the left. Sadly, I use it in salt water only. The rear brakes on my 2013 Ford Escape have taken a beating, and Im now on the second set of new rotors and pads so Im thinking of adding disc brakes to the trailer to ease the load on the car. Ive taken the left trailer hub off and measured the spindle diameters at 1 3/8 inner and 1 1/16 outer. The ID numbers on the inner and out races are hard to read, but I think are L44649 and L68149. The triple seal number is at home and I dont have it right now. I think it would be relatively straightforward to simply replace the bearings and seals, but worry that Ill again have to replace the car rear discs, which isnt cheap. Do you folks have a disc brake trailer package that would work with my existing spindles? Thinking a surge type actuator would be sufficient. I use a circular 6 pin connector that would work for the electrical lockout, but would also like to know if theres a mechanical lock-out to use when backing into salt water with everything unplugged. Ill take some pictures this evening and send them to you along with the triple seal number. Thanks!

asked by: Geoff F

Expert Reply:

If your trailer has a 3500-lb axle or if that is its GVWR, then it may simply be too heavy for your 2013 Ford Escape. Page 189 of the online edition of the owner's manual for the car lists the maximum allowable trailer weight ratings for the different engines that are offered. The absolute most that any version of the 2013 Escape can tow is 3500-lbs, and that is ONLY if the vehicle has the optional trailer towing package. Without the trailer towing package equipment the car can tow either 1500-lbs (the 2WD 2.5L model) or 2000-lbs maximum.

You do potentially have options to add brakes to the trailer, disc brakes or either electric or hydraulic drum brakes, and while this will help with slowing the trailer it does not get around the vehicle towing capacity issue. I suggest checking with your local dealership using your car VIN to confirm its towing capacity.

I linked three articles for you, each of which covers in detail the process for adding one of the three types of braking systems. The articles also list the required components.

The lowest-cost option will typically be electric drum brakes. These are also by far the easiest to install. Boat trailers are more and more commonly fitted with electric drum brakes as OEM equipment since they lower the price of the trailer and are easy to replace when worn - just 4 or 5 mounting bolts and 2 wires.

As for bearings and seals we do offer the bearing parts you referenced, # L44649 and # L68149, as well as their matching races. In order to add hub/drums to fit on your existing spindles you need to select one that uses these same bearings. Hub/drum # AKHD-545-35-EZ-K is rated for a 3500-lb axle and uses the same inner bearing L68149 and outer bearing L44649. These hubs work with 10 x 2-1/4-inch brakes like # AKEBRK-35-SA.