Can Electric Brakes be Used on a Boat Trailer

Question

Question:

Can these electric brakes be used on a boat trailer. I was wondering if the water fresh water only would be a problem. Thank you.

asked by: Fred M

0

Expert Reply:

Traditionally, trailer manufacturers did not use electric brakes on boat trailers because the brake magnet wiring and trailer wiring did not always have the best insulation or water protection.

These days, more and more manufacturers are using electric brakes on boat trailers due to improvements in wiring insulation and heat shrink connectors. If you are going to use electric brakes, I strongly recommend using heat shrink butt connectors, like part # DW05745-10, when splicing the wires together.

I have attached links to all of our electric brake assemblies. The easiest way to choose the correct brake assemblies for your trailer is to find the weight capacity of your axle. If you can tell me the weight capacity of your axle, I would be happy to find a set of brakes that will work for you. I have also attached a shoppers guide on how to add electric brakes to a trailer.

You may also need new hubs/drums. If you previously had hydraulic brakes, then not all hydraulic brake drums are compatible with electric brakes. The axle capacity will again determine which drum will work for you. If you cannot find the axle capacity, please send me the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of your trailer and the inner diameter of the existing drums (10in or 12in).

If your trailer does not have a 7-way trailer connector, then I recommend picking up our 7-way upgrade kit, # HS381-9000, and an appropriate length of duplex wire, # 12-2-1, for the brakes.

expert reply by: Robert G

0

Jeff D.

8/10/2020

I currently have a tuff boat trailer and need replacement brakes for it are you able to help me out? they are electric brakes and i believe are 7000lb axles

Reply

Jon G.

8/20/2020

The Electric Brake Kit # AKEBRK-7-SA should be just what you're looking for! These have the standard 5 bolt mounting pattern and have a 12" diameter. As long as you verify this matches what you currently have then you can use the kit above.

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Jeff H.

6/27/2020

I want to convert my boat trailer surge breaks to electric breaks. Trailer is typically only subjected to submergence during the spring when launching the boat and in the fall when pulling boat for winter storage. I don't have the axle weight rating.The drum inner diameter is 10 inches. The axle diameter at widest spot is 1.75 inches. The GVWR is 6,000 lbs and trailer weight is 600 lbs. My 2012 F150 has break controller and a round 7 pin and flat 4 pin harness connectors. Please advise what equipment I would need for this conversion and your opinion of whether the magnets will last given the minimal amount they will be subjected to water. Thank you. I wrote a previous email explaining I want to change my boat trailer brakes from surge brakes to electric brakes. In addition to the information I provided, the inner bearing diameter is 1.75 inches, the outer bearing diameter is 1 inch. The numbers on the inner bearing grease seal are 1.719 , 2.561, and 0.500. The drum has 5 lug nut studs. I hope that and the previous information is enough to advise me what I would need to change to electric brakes.

Reply

Chris R.

7/1/2020

Switching to electric brakes on your boat trailer really shouldn't be a problem at all. You don't have to worry about the magnets breaking down from some water exposure. The only precaution I would take is to simply unplug the 7-Way connectors before launching and loading. Now as for the exact components needed for your trailer - I'm having a hard time finding hub assemblies that match the bearing measurements you provided. Are there by chance any numbers stamped inside the bearings themselves that you could tell me?

Helpful Links

faq-adding-electric-drum-brakes.aspx

Reply

Jeff H.

7/1/2020

Chris: Jameson already provided the following reply and I have placed an order based upon it. I hope is correct about my existing drums working with the brake package he recommended. ( The brake assemblies that will fit your axle and also are what I recommend is the kit part # AKEBRK-35-SA which are self adjusting and the correct size and rating. Your current drums will not need to be replaced. You can keep using your current coupler by either running a bolt through the sliding portion or welding it so that it no longer moves. To upgrade the 4-way of your trailer to a 7-way you'd want the upgrade kit part # e99011 plus 10 gauge wire for the brake assemblies like part # 10-1-1 which is sold by the foot.)

Reply

Jamie C.

6/9/2020

I have a 2005 EZ loader single axel says GVWR 3740lbs/ Capacity 3100lbs w/ surge brakes, want to go elec but quite concerned about salt water, don't see any galvanized units. Any help ? Thank you in advance

Reply

Chris R.

6/12/2020

We don't have any galvanized electric brake assemblies. I absolutely understand your concern with rust/corrosion from salt water exposure, but this isn't something we typically see even on boat trailers. The bigger concern is just making sure your wire connections are completely sealed and that you unplug before launching and loading. You can also help to protect the assemblies more by using galvanized hubs like # AKHD-545-35-G-EZ-K.

Helpful Links

dept-pg-trailer_brakes-sf-electric_drum_brakes-sz-3500_lbs_axle.aspx

Reply

Jamie C.

6/12/2020

@ChrisR I have surge brakes now so I already have drums and hubs. Will they not work with your electric brakes ?

Reply

Chris R.

6/16/2020

@JamieC Your existing hub/drums should be compatible with electric assemblies. You had asked about galvanized brakes so I was just mentioning that we had galvanized hubs but not brakes, unfortunately.

Reply

Ts

4/3/2020

I am buying a used pontoon a 2015 bass buggy 18 dlx. Although it is not heavy enough to require brakes I would like to add them if the cost is reasonable. I have had poor luck with hyd brakes on boat trailers in the past and was wondering if electric would be better? What are you thoughts? Electric or Hyd?

Reply

Chris R.

4/5/2020

Starting from scratch like this, I like the idea of going with electric brakes. The initial install process is a bit easier and more cost effective than hydraulic. Replacement parts down the line will also cost less and there are just fewer things that can go wrong with an electric setup. As long as you use heat shrink connectors for your wiring and remember to unplug before launching, there shouldn't be any issues with regards to water. I linked a great article below that you can use for this process.

Helpful Links

faq-Adding-Electric-Drum-Brakes.aspx

Reply

Shane F.

7/19/2021

I am looking to change to electric from hydro on boat and need help figuring out what to get @ChrisR

Reply

Jon G.

7/20/2021

@ShaneF Here is a link to an article we wrote about what you'll need to put electric brakes on your trailer. You'll need to know your bearing sizes and brake mounting flange measurements as well (which is discussed in this article).

Helpful Links

faq-adding-electric-drum-brakes.aspx

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Answer 1

Hydraulic brakes are better suited for boat trailers for the simple fact that wires and water do not like to cooperate with each other, but the etrailer.com Self Adjusting Electric Trailer Brakes, #AKEBRK-35L-SA, can be used on a boat trailer…

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Answer 2

It actually sounds like something may be loose in the brake drum somewhere. If you have taken the wheel and hub off and nothing is obvious, I recommend adjusting the brakes manually as shown in the attached video. If you adjust the brakes and still…

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Answer 3

See the picture to the right for a wiring diagram of seven-way vehicle end trailer connector. If you click on it you can enlarge it. I have also included a trailer wiring FAQ page for you to check out.

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Answer 4

The right and left orientation is determined if you are standing behind the trailer looking towards the tow vehicle. The left side is the drivers side and the right side is the passengers side. Tthe shorter brake pad will always be in the front of…

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Answer 5

Yes, electric brakes can be used on boat trailers. The brakes will not be damaged by going in and out of the water. Electric brakes are designed to hold up in all weather conditions because they have an E-coating that help prevent corrosion on most…

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Answer 6

The Dexter Zinc-Plated Brake Actuator #T47457007K does not have an access hole to insert a screwdriver to bleed the master cylinder. You will have to use the old method with a 2x4 and the safety chains. While the trailer is disconnected from the…

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Answer 7

The weld nuts in your 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe will use Grade 5 bolts that are M10- 1.25 x 30. There is also another bolt, washer, and nut on each side required for the installation of the Curt #C13073. The Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver -…

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Answer 8

You may be able to convert your boat trailer from surge drum brakes to electric over hydraulic disc brakes. To verify this is possible I will need to know exactly what axles, hubs and surge coupler you have. This may require removing your current…

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Answer 9

Thank you for all of the photos and information! From what I can see it looks like you have a #84 spindle but that inner bearing blew out so you should be able to remove that inner sleeve that looks like it's still on the spindle (next to where…

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Answer 10

I currently have three diffrent self-adjusting assemblies for your boat trailer with 10" x 2-1/4" electric drum brakes which are attached for you below. eTrailer Electric Trailer Brake Kit part #AKEBRK-35-SA (3,500 Axles) Dexter…

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Answer 11

There really isn't a particular maximum trailer weight that is used to determine when brakes need to be added to both axles of a tandem axle setup. While I do still recommend checking your local laws, I am also not aware of any general laws that…

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Answer 12

To get the best braking power for your boat trailer you would want to have disc brakes on both axles. If you happen to be limited to one axle then you would want the rear outfitted. With a 5,000lb boat you likely have two 3,500lb torsion axles. The…

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Can Electric Brakes be Used on a Boat Trailer

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