Rubber Versus Steel Brake Lines for Electric Over Hydro Conversion on Single Brake Axle Trailer

Question

Question:

I have a 3 axle, 20 ft boat trailer, disc brakes on front axle. I am going to convert to electric / hydraulic. I need to replace the brake lines. Are steel lines better than rubber ones? Thank You

asked by: William H

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Expert Reply:

As an installer, I much prefer rubber lines as they are easier to use. The steel lines are more durable but I can't say I've ever had a trailer we worked on come back with a broken rubber hose either. The steel lines are very hard to work with and if you want it to look decent you'll have to cut the lines to your exact length and flare on the fittings again. If you're experienced with brake lines and have the time to do it right and make it look nice then the steel lines work well but even so I tend to recommend rubber for the reasons above. I have attached the parts you need below.

1.5' Brake Hose part # BH-3MFS-1-5 (Left Side)
7' Brake Hose part # BH-3MFS-7 (Right Side)
20' Brake House part # bh-3mfs-20 (Actuator To Tee)
Tee Fitting part # BH-T-3FIF (Between Left and Right)
HydraStar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator part # HBA16
Trailer Wiring 7-Way Upgrade Kit part # HS381-9000
Bright Way Push-to-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit part # 3802311

expert reply by: Conner L

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Answer 1

What we've found is that the factory brake controllers don't work as consistently with electric over hydraulic brakes like the Hydrastar part #HBA16 that you have even when they are supposed to. Some setups work totally fine, others are…

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Answer 2

I contacted my tech contact at Dexter and the Dexter Disc Brake Actuator #K71-651 will not work with the 2010 Ford OEM Brake Controller. The compatibility with Electric Over Hydraulic Brake Actuators with Ford OEM Brake Controllers during this time…

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Answer 3

The Hydrastar electric over hydraulic actuators are definitely the best actuators like the part #HBA16. In our experiences over the years we have found them to be significantly more reliable and quicker reacting so they are what we recommend the…

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Answer 4

Yes we do carry brake assemblies that do allow for braking in reverse and forward. The assembly you referenced is a free-backing assembly. Typically people with surge brake setups prefer this style since it allows the trailer to reverse without the…

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Answer 5

If you replace the current brakes on your trailer with the same uni-servo drum brakes and no lockout actuator (like #T2351000), the brakes will deliver 20 percent braking when traveling in reverse. However, the more pressure you apply going backwards…

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Answer 6

The difference in price, besides being from two different manufacturers, is the materials. Demco assembly #42028 is galvanized steel. Titan assembly #T4489600 is Galphorite plated steel. So you could say that a galvanized material is superior to a…

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Answer 7

Good questions. The difference between free backing brakes like the #AKFBBRK-35-D and regular hydraulic drum brakes like #DMSB18794M-93M (referred to as duo or duel servo) is that the wheel brake cylinder has pistons on both sides of the regular/duo…

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Answer 8

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 9

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 10

To determine the size of the brake assemblies you need you have to measure the depth and width of the hub drum on the axle like what you see in the picture I attached. The most common size is 2-1/4 inch wide like the #T4071600-500 that you…

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Answer 11

Hey Richard, thanks for reaching out! The Dexter DX7.5 Drop-N-Go Brake Actuator #099-175-00 is a great option for a replacement actuator because it's a direct replacement for the common Model 60 actuators that were popular in the '90s.…

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Answer 12

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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Rubber Versus Steel Brake Lines for Electric Over Hydro Conversion on Single Brake Axle Trailer

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