new hyd surge brake installation

[Georgesalmon]

Yeserday I got 4 new hubs two of which have brakes in them. Also a hyd surge hitch for them and some hyd brake lines. I got these for free from a friend that dicided he was not going to use them. Wouldn't take anything for them. I don't know yet if they will fit my boat trailer axles. If they do which axel do the brakes go on? Front or rear? I'm gonna try and find a way to get them on even if I have to buy, fabricate? new axles. The old hubs are 4 bolt and I would like 5 bolt anyway. I have about 3500 lbs to pull and I think this would help save my truck brakes. I did have surge brakes on my old 26' Starcraft and they worked great.

Thank you for any help.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: new hyd surge brake installation

Yeserday I got 4 new hubs two of which have brakes in them. Also a hyd surge hitch for them and some hyd brake lines. I got these for free from a friend that dicided he was not going to use them. Wouldn't take anything for them. I don't know yet if they will fit my boat trailer axles. If they do which axel do the brakes go on? Front or rear? I'm gonna try and find a way to get them on even if I have to buy, fabricate? new axles. The old hubs are 4 bolt and I would like 5 bolt anyway. I have about 3500 lbs to pull and I think this would help save my truck brakes. I did have surge brakes on my old 26' Starcraft and they worked great.

Thank you for any help.

First of all. #1 What is your state requirments for trailer brakes? One or all axle's? Most states req. brakes over 3000 lbs.
#2. See what new axles cost to do the job. They will have mounting plates already welded on in the right location.It might be less time consuming and just as cheap when it's all said and done.( considering your time, labor and frustration)
#3. If you can call your trailer manufacture, they can suggest which axle. You will get all kinds of suggestions here as to which axle

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: new hyd surge brake installation

Thank you for the reply and glad you made me look that up, lol. Wisconsin says 3000lbs or if the trailer weight exceeds the trailer weight. My truck weighs 4510 so OK there and boat weighs about 2200. Guess I should get the rig weighed.

No idea of manufacturer, or how old it is only thing on the trailer is MVIN132695IND nothing comes up I google it, if I had to guess that would be some kind of number used in Indiana. This rig was there once according to PO. The boat is a 1972 but no idea if the trailer is that vintage. No requirement to register or need a title for a boat trailer here. Nicely built gav trailer all made out of heavy channel no bent steel anywhere. Only problem is someone painted it. Don't know why people paint gav trailers. I think they look nice and the paint don't flake.

Would I just measure the axels for width and get something with the proper weight cap? Where do you measure axels?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: new hyd surge brake installation

both of my trailers with surge brakes had the brakes on the rear axle.

adding brakes is a great idea.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: new hyd surge brake installation

Thank you for the reply and glad you made me look that up, lol. Wisconsin says 3000lbs or if the trailer weight exceeds the trailer weight. My truck weighs 4510 so OK there and boat weighs about 2200. Guess I should get the rig weighed.

No idea of manufacturer, or how old it is only thing on the trailer is MVIN132695IND nothing comes up I google it, if I had to guess that would be some kind of number used in Indiana. This rig was there once according to PO. The boat is a 1972 but no idea if the trailer is that vintage. No requirement to register or need a title for a boat trailer here. Nicely built gav trailer all made out of heavy channel no bent steel anywhere. Only problem is someone painted it. Don't know why people paint gav trailers. I think they look nice and the paint don't flake.

Would I just measure the axels for width and get something with the proper weight cap? Where do you measure axels?

Go here and it will tell you pretty much everything you will want to know about measuring your axles and what axles you need for your application. (www.pacifictrailers.com)
Your truck weight does not figure into trailer gross weight to figure out weather you need brakes or not. The total boat and trailer weight is what you need to know.Have it weighed if you are not sure. You can probably have it done at a sand and gravel place, or a truck stop with scales.You don't necessarly have to buy the axles here. Shop around.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: new hyd surge brake installation

both of my trailers with surge brakes had the brakes on the rear axle.

adding brakes is a great idea.

Same here. Some would argue that though

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: new hyd surge brake installation

Pulled a hub and the outer bearing is the same size but the new inner is much larger. The old bearing inner is 2"D and the new hubs are 2.5"D. My axel shaft is 1" all the way. Don't know much about this, can I get something to change the dia of the race on the axel? Or a bearing for the hub that reduces to 2"? There is a race on the new hub inner and outer. The inner one is just 1/2" larger D than the old one.

Said that wrong. Is there a bearing and seal that fits on a 1" axel and into a 2.5" OD race in the hub?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: new hyd surge brake installation

If you have the size axle with identical inner and outer bearings, your axle is rated at no higher than 2500 lbs. Your hubs are likely designed for a 3500# axle. You have 2 choices. Get the correct sized hubs or buy a new axle.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: new hyd surge brake installation

Already have hubs so new axles it is. Thank you for the help.