Forum Discussion

4X4Dodger's avatar
4X4Dodger
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2015

Brake Conversion Electric To Hydraulic Disc

Has anyone had experience or heard of anyone converting their all electric trailer brakes to Electric over Hydraulic Disc Brakes?

Is there a Kit on the market?

I am capable of doing the conversion myself But would like to hear from someone who might have done one already.

16 Replies

  • Work with TUSON to utilize their Direclink controller, antilock module and add the antisway module as well.
  • My dad did that conversion on his 5th wheel years ago. He also did that air suspension kit. It still has the leaf springs, there is just an air bag in place of the center pivot bracket.

    He says it works really well and glad he did it. He also got some load range "G" tires for it (110 max psi) and hasn't had a flat since.

    He takes it off road at least once a year to get to a boondock place in Idaho to go fly fishing and he said those mods really helped the towing on the gravel roads and really smooth on the hwy.

    Good luck!

    Mitch
  • should read "remove wheel, remove brake drum and drum brake from axle (5 bolts), install new mounting bracket, grease and install new bearings and hub (come with kit), install disc brake assy on mounting bracket, replace wheel....
  • 4x, I did a disc brake install on my 5ver a few years ago. I used a Kodiak brake kit (http://www.easternmarine.com/KODIAK-DISC-Brakes-Brake-Parts/ and a Dexter actuator http://www.easternmarine.com/Electric-Hydraulic-Brake-Actuators/
    Check around for best price.
    Remove a wheel and hub, remove 5 bolts that hold the drum brake to your hub, install the mounting bracket to the hub, replace 5 bolts, grease and install new wheel bearings and hub (included in kit), reinstall wheel ; move on to the next wheel.

    Best upgrade I've ever done. The swap is relatively easy, I did it in my front yard. The kit may come with a roll of brake tubing that you cut and flare, but here is a tip; Get your hydraulic brake line from your local auto supply, that way you won't have to make double flares in your brake tubing, they'll leak. The tubing comes in straight sections of varying lengths with fittings pre-installed. The wiring is easy, you need to check that you have a good #10 wire (blue) from your brake controller to your trailer plug. Check for youtube videos for install (Dexter, Kodiak)

    Let us know how you made out.
  • In the boat trailer world it's getting to be a popular swap because they're going from surge to electric over hydraulic. (electric brake components don't take salt water immersion very well). I went from surge drum to surge disc on my boat trailer, there are kits for that application with brackets that fit the existing mounting holes. Some of the electric over hydraulic setups can have anti sway / anti lock features, I think the direct link setup has that as an option.
  • Give the people at e-trailer a call.

    ETrailer.com

    They have been selling disk brake conversion kits for a long time. You will be happy with the results, faster stops, and you can feel the brakes pulling you to a stop.

    Good luck,

    Fred.