Adding Electric Brakes to Interstate Victory Trailer Pulled by 2016 Chevy Silverado

Question:

The trailer is a 2018 Interstate Victory fromTrailers Plus. It has no brakes. The axle is a single Dexter 3,500 lbs and has a brake mounting flange with 4 holes. The wheel bolt pattern is 5 on 4-1/2 2-5/8 apart. My towing vehicle is a 2016 Chev Silverado 1500 with a tow package but no controller. What are the all components needed to add Electric brakes?

asked by: Dale M

Expert Reply:

We have everything needed to add electric brakes to your 2018 Interstate Victory Trailer and equip your Silverado with what is needed to control them.

Since your trailer already has brake mounting flanges welded to the axle, you will need to start with replacing the idler hubs to hub and drum assemblies. In order to ensure that the replacement will fit the spindles on your trailer, you will want to pull your existing hub and check for the bearing numbers that they use. The numbers should be stamped right onto the bearings themselves. If you cannot read the numbers, you can also take a few measurements along the spindle where the bearings sit with a digital caliper like # PTW80157 (see attached image).

Since your trailer is equipped with a 3,500 pound axle, it is very likely that the hubs use the # L68149 inner bearing and # L44649, but it is always a good idea to verify this. If this is the case, then I recommend the etrailer.com Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly # AKHD-545-35-EZ-K. These hubs are designed for 3,500 pound axles and feature the 5 on 4-1/2 inch bolt pattern you are needing. All of the bearings, races, and seals are included.

I have attached an installation video for this hub that you might find helpful.

Then for electric brake assemblies that will be compatible with these hubs, I recommend the etrailer.com Electric Trailer Brake Kit # AKEBRK-35-SA. These 10 inch assemblies will work perfectly and they are self-adjusting so they will not require any manual adjustments like standard brakes. They do have the same 4 bolt pattern as the mounting flanges on your trailer. Both the Left Hand and Right Hand assemblies are included with this kit.

I have again attached a video for this kit that you can review.

Then, to wire your trailer for electric brakes, you will need to run wiring from the front of the trailer back to the brake assemblies. Each assembly will have 2 wires coming out of the back. One of the wires will attach to the trailer frame for ground and the other will be the power wire (it does not matter which one you use for which function). You will run 10 gauge wire like # 10-1-1 (sold by the foot) from the front of the trailer to one of the trailer brakes, which will serve as the power wire. From there, you will run another wire from the power wire on this brake to the brake assembly on the other end of the axle. If your trailer is equipped with a 4-Way connector, you will need to replace it with a 7-Way like # H20046.

I have attached a great article on adding electric brakes to a trailer that will go a little more in-depth regarding all the wiring that needs to be done.

Then, moving to the tow vehicle side, you will just need a trailer brake controller and wiring harness. For your 2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 that has the tow package, I highly recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 # 90195. This is an excellent, proportional controller that will activate the brakes on the trailer at the same time and with the same intensity that you apply to them in your truck. To install the controller, all you will need is the Plug-In Adapter # 3016. One end of the adapter will plug right into the brake controller itself, while the other end will connect directly to the built-in port beneath the Silverado's dash. This is the only connection you need to make on your truck.

If you have any further questions during this process, please do not hesitate to ask and I will be happy to help you further.