Parts Needed To Add Electric Brakes To An M416 Trailer

Question:

Can you tell me how I can get e brakes installed on a M416 military trailer? If you have something, can you give me a complete parts list? Thanks

asked by: Jeff

Expert Reply:

Finding the correct electric brakes for your M416 military trailer will depend on a few things. First will be the axle capacity. I did a lot of looking, but I couldn't find this listed anywhere. Due to the weight and carrying capacity, odds are you have a 3,500 pound axle though, so I will be basing everything off that.

The etrailer.com Electric Trailer Brake Kit # AKEBRK-35-SA will be what I recommend for a 3,500 pound axle as they will have a good price point, includes the right and left brakes, and are self adjusting. This means you wont have to crawl under the trailer to get them set properly every season. These will also use the standard 4 bolt mounting pattern (picture included with measurements). With that said, you will need something for this to mount to if there is not already an existing flange. This will require the Brake Mounting Flange for 2-3/8" Round Axle # 4-35, but this has to be in the exact perfect spot, so it is highly recommended to have a welder that has experience with axles to mount it in the instance of there not being one existing on your current axle. The # BRKH10B mounting kit will secure the brakes to the flanges.

Next, you will need to make sure your drums are able to use electric brakes. If you do not have drums already, you will need to use something like the Easy Grease Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly # AKHD-545-35-EZ-K. This will use the # L68149 inner bearing and the # L44649 outer bearing, so you will need to make sure this matches your current spindle. This will also use a 5 on 4-1/2 bolt pattern, so this will need to be verified as well. I included a link to an article on how to find this measurement.

If you have existing drums, make sure they are 10" in diameter and 2-1/4" wide. You will also need to make sure they are able to be used with electric brakes as not all are. The inner vertical surface will need to be completely smooth. I included a picture of what I mean by that as well.

If none of this is matching, your best bet will be to replace the entire axle with something like the 3,500 pound capacity Trailer Axle w/ Electric Brakes # e43SR. This will come with electric brakes and 5 on 4-1/2 bolt pattern drums, but it will also measure 89" from hub face to hub face and 74" from the center of one spring seat to the center of the other (I included a picture of these measurements). This may not match what you currently have, so I definitely recommend measuring. If your measurements are vastly different, you will need to contact a local Dexter dealer to have an axle built to your specifications.

There will be a few other parts needed to get everything up and running properly, so I included an article we have that covers exactly what else you will need.