How to Convert Trailers Air Brakes to Electric Brakes

Question

Question:

I have a 2012 Ford super duty f250 I have a trailer that has air brakes Can the Air Brakes be converted to Electric Brakes?

asked by: Richard

0

Expert Reply:

The Hayes Air Utility Brake Control # HA100400C, which you reference, is designed for towing vehicles that have air brakes and trailers that have electric brakes. If you want to convert your trailer's air brakes to electric brakes you will want to remove the air brakes and then install the electric brakes from scratch.

You will need several items to add electric brakes to your trailer. Starting with the trailer you will need a hub and drum that matches the bearings and seal on your trailer spindle and your wheel bolt pattern. The only way to be sure is to check the bearing part numbers and seal part number.

You will then need left and right brake assemblies. We will need to know kind of axle you currently have on your trailer and its weight capacity, and you will need to make sure the brake mounting flange bolt pattern is compatible.

To finish the trailer you will need wiring and a 7-Way connector. 10 gauge wire, # 10-2-1 is recommended and you will attach one wire from the brake magnet to the white wire for ground and the other to the black wire for power from the 7-Way connector. The 7-Way Round RV Style Trailer Side Connector, # A7WCB will then need to be wired at the front of the trailer. We have an article that details wiring this connector for you to review, see link.

We have a video installation showing installation of trailer brakes on a single axle trailer that should be a great resource for you, see link.

Next we have to get your 2012 Ford F-250 ready to connect to your OEM 7-Way trailer connector and to activate the trailer brakes. You will need a brake controller and a wiring kit to complete the installation.

The Prodigy P2 Brake Controller, # 90885, would be a good choice for your truck and trailer. This is a proportional controller that activates the trailer brakes in unison with the speed in which the vehicle is stopping. There will be a plug under the dash for installing a brake controller using the # 3034-P harness.

If your pickup has a 4-pole, you will still have the connector under the dash, and you will need wiring harness # 37185 that will connect to the wires on the frame rail, see link.

If you let me know the information about your axle and bearings and seal, I can help you select the braking assemblies and hub and drums you will need.

expert reply by: Chris O

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Answer 1

I have the perfect solution for you! The first thing you need to do is swap out your actuator and for that I recommend using the USA made HydraStar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator for Drum Brakes #HBA-12 because this company makes very reliable…

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Answer 2

The wiring on a semi is not normally the same as a standard RV or Gooseneck trailer. You will need to use a couple different harnesses to get what you are looking for. I recommend the ZCI Circuit Protected Vehicle Wiring Harness w/ 4-Pole Flat…

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Answer 3

The trailer brakes work on a separate circuit than the lights. You have a couple of options to control the electric brakes on the trailer. One option is to use an air over electric brake control, #HA100400C. This unit connects to the air brakes on…

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Answer 4

The king pin dimensions can be the same between fifth wheel trailers and large commercial trailers. Both types of trailers often use a standard 2 inch king pin although semis sometimes have a 3-1/2 inch. As long as your truck fits a 2 inch king pin…

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Answer 5

From the center of the shank to each end of the base of the B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch #BWRVK3500-5W is 18 inches. The entire length of the base is 36 inches.

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Answer 6

The easiest way to go from a 7-way round connector to a 7-way flat would be to get a Trailer Connector Adapter part #HM47425. However, if you are looking for a more permanent solution you would need to remove your 7-way round connector and wire up…

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Answer 7

You can use the Pollack #PK11700 to install on your gooseneck trailer and create a 7 way plug capable of fitting on the 7 pole round plug that is on a semi tractor trailer truck. For the wiring you can use the Deka Jacketed 7 Wire #DW04914-1 which is…

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Answer 8

According to the Dexter Axle instructions, the bolts that are used to install the E-Z Flex Equalizer for 1-3/4" Double Eye Springs #013-144-03 should be torqued in the range of 30 - 50 ft-lbs (see attached cutout). Attached is an installation…

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Answer 9

The Dexter Electric Brake Kit w/ Cast Backing - Self-Adjusting - 12-1/4" - Left/Right Hand - 15K #23-446-447 will fit any 15K axle that have the standard 7 bolt mounting flange. These are self-adjusting brakes so there is no need for manual…

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Answer 10

Yes, it is possible. To get started you will need a hub and drum that matches the bearing and seal on your trailer spindle and your wheel bolt pattern. Confirm this by checking the bearing part number, and seal part number. Next, you will need left…

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Answer 11

We do offer the Trailer Connector Adapter, #HM47425, which converts a 7-pole round connector to a 7-pole flat connector. This adapter works for tow vehicles with combined taillight wiring, meaning that the turn signals and brake lights run on the…

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Answer 12

You are correct, there are 4 electric over hydraulic braking systems, from 3 manufacturers, that can be used to eliminate the air over hydraulic actuator on your M200A1 trailer. These systems all require a breakaway system to meet DOT safety…

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