Adding Brakes To A 1998 Starcraft Pop Up Camper

Question:

Good Morning, I am looking to get brakes installed on my 1998 Starcraft pop up camper. The camper does not currently have any brakes. I am towing the camper with a Jeep Wrangler. Could you help me find the parts I need to have this done? Could I replace the axle with one that comes with brakes? Thank you!

asked by: Rafael A

Expert Reply:

I am happy to help set you up Rafael. In order to add brakes to your 1998 Starcraft pop up camper, the axle must have a brake flange attached behind the hub assembly on each side. If the current axle does not have a brake flange you can either replace the axle entirely, or you can have a brake flange welded to the axle. Generally replacing the axle is our preferred method, since welding on brake flanges requires special equipment and it can be expensive.

If you want to look into replacing the axle, we will need to know the hub face length, spring center length and weight capacity of the current axle. There should be a metal tag on the axle that has this information. Hopefully after all these years it is still readable, if not you will have to measure yourself. Feel free to send me that info when you have it, and I am happy to see what kind of axle we can offer you.

All of that said, if the axle already does have a brake flange, adding brakes will be fairly easy. You will just need to get a pair of electric brake assemblies, some new hub and drum assemblies and the appropriate wiring components. In order for me to recommend the correct parts, I will need to know the weight capacity of the current axle, as well as the inner and outer bearing sizes that the current hub uses. I would also want to know the current wheel bolt pattern so we can try to match the new hubs to the existing wheels.

You will also need to wire the trailer with a 7 way plug such as part # 50-67-103 which is a 7 way plug with 15' of jacketed 7 wire. You will also need an emergency breakaway kit # C52042.

That will cover everything for the trailer end. You will need to make sure your Jeep is equipped with a 7-way plug and an electric trailer brake controller. You did not mention what year your Wrangler was made, but if you want to send me that info as well, I can recommend the correct wiring components.

I have included a link below that will show you our guide on adding electric brakes to a trailer. I do encourage you to give it a read as it will go over in detail the installation process and all of the parts needed. You can feel free to reach out to me with any further questions.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Rafael A.

3/5/2024

I checked my 1998 Starcraft pop-up camper, and the axle does have a brake flange attached behind the hub assembly on each side. Does this make it easier for me to get the brakes installed? I am using a 2021 Jeep Wrangler JL.