Testing Electric Brakes on Trailer without Connecting to Tow Vehicle

Question

Question:

Hello: I want to test the function of my electric brakes...without plugging it into my vehicle. Can I just apply 12vdc and gnd to the brake input wire leads and be able to hear it activate?

asked by: Jeff C

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

Absolutely! If you would rather not connect the trailer to your tow vehicle, you can simply use a separate car/truck 12V battery to test the electric brakes on your trailer. You can apply power to the appropriate brake input pin on the trailer connector (or the wires directly at some point behind the connector) and that will send power to the brakes.

expert reply by: Chris R

1

John B.

7/29/2020

...and that means the brakes will engage? I'm moving a trailer by hand on a flat spot at the top of a hill. It'd be nice to be able to engage the brakes, just in case!

Reply

Jon G.

8/6/2020

Yes, applying 12V power to the trailer brake circuit will engage the trailer brakes. I don't know how easy that will be since you'll be moving it by hand but if you can find a safe way to do this then go for it.

Reply

Answer 1

First I recommend using the Roadmaster Direct-Connect Base Plate #RM-521453-5 on your 2022 Jeep Wrangler 4xe. This will pair with their Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain, Non-Binding Tow Bar #RM-676. You will need to measure the height of the…

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Answer 2

You can indeed test a trailer's electric drum brakes by directly applying +12V power from a fully-charged battery. You can apply this power to the hot and ground contacts on the trailer's plug (see photo please) or to an individual…

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Answer 3

The short answer to this is, no, adding this hitch will not safely increase your tongue weight capacity. Since the tongue capacity for the vehicle is 350-lbs, upgrading to a hitch like the Draw-Tite Max Frame #DT78MR won't allow you to carry…

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Answer 4

Since your tandem axle trailer only has brakes on one of the axles, you will just need a single axle kit like the Kodiak Hydraulic Brake Line Kit #18SI-BLKIT you were looking at. This kit includes an 18 foot, 7 foot and 1-1/2 foot long flexible…

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Answer 5

Thank you for the photo of your trailer hub/drum assembly which shows its diameter to be 10-inches. More than likely the drum depth dimension is 2-1/4-inches since 10 x 2-1/4-inch hubs are quite popular. Please refer to the photo I linked for you.…

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Answer 6

The #20TA-BLKIT brake line kit you referenced is indeed compatible with the #AKUBRK-35-D Hydraulic Brake assemblies you'd looked at, the line kit is compatible with bolt disc and drum brake systems. The brake assemblies will be compatible with…

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Answer 7

Yes. As long as you have a 3" wide channel tongue, you can use the Demco Hydraulic Trailer Actuator #DM72VR as a replacement for your current actuator. For new brake lines you'll want to use the Kodiak Hydraulic Brake Line Kit #18SI-BLKIT…

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Answer 8

The best brake line kit for a single axle boat trailer is the Kodiak Hydraulic Brake Line Kit part #18SI-BLKIT which works with boats that have torsion or leaf spring axles as well as those with disc or drum brakes. The Kodiak Hydraulic Brake Line…

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Answer 9

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 10

The bolt pattern of your Dexter axles for the mounting of the brake assemblies is a 5 bolt pattern like what the part #AKEBRK-6 has. If you wanted assemblies for both sides of your trailer this kit will work great. I attached a picture that shows the…

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Answer 11

If your old axles have a 5 bolt brake flange the assemblies like Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 12" - Left Hand - 6,000 lbs part #23-105 or Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 12" - Right Hand - 6,000 lbs part #23-106 will…

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Answer 12

If you are referring to two white wires from the brake magnet that are coming from the rear of each electric brake assembly, then it would not matter which wire is connected to ground and which wire is used for the brake feed. The magnet that…

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Testing Electric Brakes on Trailer without Connecting to Tow Vehicle

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