Adding trailer brakes

[breton26]

Does anyone have any suggestions on adding brakes to a trailer that doesn't already have them? Any help even where to get kits or parts would help. Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: Adding trailer brakes

Howdy, Breton.<br /><br />Welcome to iboats. <br /><br />Look up Champion Trailers. They have it all.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Adding trailer brakes

Look at the end of the axle just behind the wheel. If the axle does not have a square flat plate with four holes in it, you can't add brakes unless you change the axle also. That plate is what the brake assembly bolts to. If the plate is there, brakes (hydraulic or electric) can be added.

 

[all thumbs]

Re: Adding trailer brakes

Just curious, how do you add hyd. brakes to trailer? Something like surge brakes? Is there a seperate resevoir for fluid?

 

[jlinder]

Re: Adding trailer brakes

Not sure if this is the same with all surge brakes, but mine have everything contained in the hitch - fluid resevoir and master cylinder.

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: Adding trailer brakes

Unless your trailer was manufactured with surge brakes it will be pretty in depth to add them. You can however add electric over hydraulic brakes. What those are is a hydraulic "master cylinder with an electric motor, similar to the ABS in cars. This is driven servo style by the brake controller. This electro-hydraulic unit then supplies hydraulic pressure to the wheel brake assemblies. If your trailer did not have hydraulic brakes before, this is a very complicated system to install. It can be done, and is not highly difficult, just complicated.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Adding trailer brakes

Many aftermarket surge (not elec over hyd)acctuators are designed to be added onto the trailers main beam. It needs to be welded on competently but it can be done without too much headache.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Lou C]

Re: Adding trailer brakes

I did this to my 94 Loadrite over the summer. I got everyhing including the new axle with brake flanges from Champion Trailers. The only tricky part was snaking the brake line thru the trailer frame. The rest was easy, if you have ever worked on brakes before. With the galvanized trailer I have the actuator just bolts on. You install the backing plates (drums) or caliper mounts (disc) install the bearings in the hubs, adjust them, bleed the brakes (and adjust the drums if that is what you have) and that is about it!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Adding trailer brakes

Northerntool.com has a complete trailer and accessory line including brakes. Electric brakes can be added for around $250 including the controller. This is the easiest to add. Surge brakes require a surge brake coupler and hydraulic drum or disk brake assemblies. Adding the brake fluid lines and coupler make this much more difficult to add and is more expensive.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Adding trailer brakes

Hey Brenton26! <br /><br />Glad to see you created a membership at this site. <br /><br />Keep Posting! <br /><br />Mark.