Parts Needed to Swap Surge Brakes With Electric Brakes On a 16' Car Hauler Trailer

Question

Question:

I am interested in converting my surge brakes on my 16ft car trailer to 3500 electric brakes- 2 questions- Q1- do i need to add all 4 axle brake kits or can i get away with 2?- Q2- My drums are in decent shape- do i need to replace them as well? Im thinking they should work Thoughts?

asked by: Bill

0

Expert Reply:

In order to swap your surge brakes to electric brakes you're going to need to first swap out the actuator with the Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Drum Brakes # HBA-10.

The next thing you'll need is new brake assemblies, if your drums are in good shape you can leave those on there but you're going to need brake kits for all four of your wheels using # 23-26 for the left side and # 23-27 for the right side.

Next, you're going to need a brake controller. I personally like the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles # 90195. This brake controller will work with up to 4 axles, has automatic leveling so you can mount it in any orientation, and has built in safeguards to protect your vehicle, trailer, and brake controller.

The last thing you're going to need to do is lock out your current coupler because it likely has an actuating coupler, and it no longer needs to be actuated.

expert reply by: Bryce D

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Bill

2/14/2024

Thanks Bryce! 1 more question! Cant I simply fully dismantle and remove the entire hydraulic system including the surge actuator?

Reply

Bryce D.

2/16/2024

@Bill Yes, you absolutely can Bill.

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Answer 1

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 2

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…

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Answer 3

The Dexter Nev-R-Adjust electric trailer brakes can be manually adjusted. There are a couple teeth of the adjustment wheel that are exposed just under the lever that you referenced. I have attached a photo showing the teeth. You will likely need a…

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Answer 4

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 5

For replacement Dexter manual adjust brake assemblies to replace your 36-19 you would want the part #23-27 for the right hand side and part #23-26 for the left hand side. These are manual adjust 10 by 2-1/4 inch Dexter brake assemblies that would…

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Answer 6

The Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly part #AKHD-545-35-EZ-K would be an excellent replacement for a Tru-Ryde Hub/Drum RVD-H-545. Then for new brakes, I recommend the Hydraulic Trailer Brake Kit part #AKFBBRK-35.

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Answer 7

The Trimax Puck Lock for Trailer Door Hasps #TMX96RR cannot be keyed alike. While disappointing I'm sure, there is another option to consider, which is to order a quantity of two of the Trimax Puck Locks for Trailer Door Hasps #TMX73FR. The…

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