Options For Converting Trailer With Hydraulic Surge Brakes To Being Controlled By a Brake Controller

Question

Question:

I have a 96 jayco camper with a 4 pin flat connector and surge brakes. The surge brakes from the WELDED Atwood 85778 are not functional. Want to avoid chopping. Most these Atwood parts are not available. Considering retrofit to electric brakes. My tow vehicle is a 03 suburban with 7 pin. What components do I need to install electric brakes on camper and use them with the 7 pin suburban connector. .... OR.... Is there a suitable master cylinder replacement in kind for the old 85778 w/o chopping off my coupler?

asked by: Scott

0

Expert Reply:

I have a couple options for your 1996 Jayco camper. The easiest option will be to add either the Hydrastar Vented Marine Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes # HS481-8067 or for Drum Brakes # HS481-8065. This will allow you to retain all your hydraulic lines, brakes and drums on your trailer. Both kits include a breakaway battery, breakaway switch and the hydraulic actuator and wiring needed to install them. You will need an Adapter # PK12716 to plug your 4-way flat into the 7-way included with the kits above. It is typically recommended to replace your Atwood actuator with a A-Frame Trailer Coupler # 12660-97SP. This will reduce the likelihood of issues down the road from parts failing on the actuator and the trailer coming disconnected.

If you wanted to change the trailer brakes over to electric I would need to know what axles/spindles you have to find the correct size brake assemblies. I would also need for you to remove one of your hubs to verify it will be compatible with electric brakes as it may not have the surface inside for the electromagnet to activate the brakes. Then you will need a Trailer Wiring 7-Way Upgrade Kit w/ Junction Box # HS381-9000 and Breakaway Kit # 3802346 to wire up your trailer.

You will need a Brake Controller # 90195 and Wiring Harness # 3015-P to install in your 2003 Chevrolet Suburban. This controller can be used with electric brakes or electric over hydraulic.

expert reply by: Bud M

0

Answer 1

To convert your tandem axle boat trailer to a electric over hydraulic braking system, I recommend the Hydrastar Vented Marine Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes item #HS481-8067. This kit includes the required breakaway kit and the…

view full answer...

Answer 2

The brake actuator that you have or purchase will state specifically what fluid you will need to use either on the cap or in the owners manual if not both. For the Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Brake Actuator, #HS381-8067, you would be using DOT…

view full answer...

Answer 3

What you need first is an electric over hydraulic actuator which will allow you to activate the current hydraulic disk brakes you have. Your current brake assemblies and lines will work fine with this. The kit you need that comes with everything…

view full answer...

Answer 4

Since your 2014 Ford F-150 has the integrated brake controller the kit you would want is the part #HS481-8067 which comes with the correct adapter for that. That's the big difference between it and the part #HS381-9067 that you also mentioned.

view full answer...

Answer 5

Similar to the Hydrastar Vented Marine Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes #HS481-8067, what you'll need for your RAM with an OEM brake controller is the: -Hydrastar Marine Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator w/ Breakaway and 7-Way RV…

view full answer...

Answer 6

I find the Hydrastar Vented Marine Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator #HBA16 is a more reliable system than the Dexter BrakeRite Actuator #DX36XR. We have it available as a Plug and Play Kit #HS481-8067 much like the Dexter BrakeRite #T4813102 you…

view full answer...

Answer 7

The HydraStar Vented Marine Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Disc Brakes #HS481-8067 that you referenced does include the breakaway kit for sure.

view full answer...

Answer 8

What we have found is the integrated trailer brake controllers on trucks can be very temperamental when used with electric over hydraulic brakes. I do recommend using a HydraStar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator Adapter Module #HBA-CAM with your…

view full answer...

Answer 9

We don't offer an all-inclusive kit that offers everything you listed but I'd be happy to recommend some parts for you that would come pretty close, you'd need to get the brake controller and it's wiring harness separately. For a…

view full answer...

Answer 10

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.

view full answer...

Answer 11

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…

view full answer...

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…

view full answer...

Options For Converting Trailer With Hydraulic Surge Brakes To Being Controlled By a Brake Controller

Products Referenced in This Question

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Featured Help Information

Instructions

Continue Researching