Converting Hydraulic Drum Brakes to Electric Brakes on Tandem 3,500 Lb Axle Boat Trailer

Question:

I want to switch from my hydraulic brakes to electric brakes on my boat trailer. It has 3.5k axles, is this okay and what do I need?

asked by: Quentin O

Expert Reply:

Yes, plenty of people choose to use electric brakes on their boat trailer because of the lower maintenance and cost as compared to hydraulic brakes.

To replace your current hydraulic brakes I recommend our Electric Trailer Brake Kit # AKEBRK-35-SA. This includes both the right hand and left hand brake assemblies, mounting bolts and adjuster plugs. If you are unable to reuse your old nuts and lock washers, those are sold separately as part # BRKH10B.

Since you were checking out hub # Q-HUB84545, I assume you are also contemplating replacing your existing hubs. For a hub with integrated drum, I highly recommend you use a galvanized hub like our Trailer Hub/Drum Assembly # AKHD-545-35-G-EZ-K which is ideal for marine use and compatible with 3,500 lb axles that use L68149 inner bearing, L44649 outer bearing and a 58846 seal (1.719 ID/2.565 OD). You'll want to confirm this is the same on your trailer.

If your trailer only has brakes on one axle and you want to replace the idler hubs on the second axle, I recommend # AKIHUB-545-35-G-EZ-K, which uses the same bearings and seal mentioned earlier. Both hubs are compatible with a 5 on 4-1/2 wheel bolt pattern.

On the trailer side, you'll need to upgrade your existing wiring to a 7-way connector. For that, I recommend the 7-Way Molded Trailer Plug with Junction Box # HS381-9000. Also needed is a trailer breakaway kit like # 3802308 to activate your trailer's electric brakes if the trailer ever becomes uncoupled from the tow vehicle.

From the front of your trailer, you'll need to run wire # 12-2-1 (per foot) back to each brake assembly. Heat shrink connectors like # DW05744-10 and # DW05745-10 are key in providing your boat trailer wiring with the best water protection and secure connections so I strongly recommend using them.

The last piece to the puzzle is adding a brake controller like the extremely dependable and easy to use Tekonsha Prodigy P2 # 90885. To see if we have a custom adapter for your truck, you'll want to use our fit-guide and select brake controllers from the list of accessories. The brake controllers along with the custom adapter (if available) will be displayed together. Otherwise, a universal adapter is included with the # 90885 which you can use to make the connections.

If your vehicle isn't already equipped with a functioning 7-way, you can use # ETBC7 to upgrade your existing wiring. You may be able to plug your 5-way flat to the 4-way connector on the back of the adapter in the ETBC7, otherwise, what you can do is simply cut off both connectors (4-way on ETBC7 and vehicle end plug) and splice all connections instead.

I've attached a few helpful links at the bottom of the page for you to check out as well.