Converting surge breaks into electric. Cost?
It seems to convert surge breaks to electric in Hi Lo campers you have to get a new axle . the cost is extremely high. I thought this was the in all camper .But recent google searches have indicated...
Forum Discussion
Francesca Knowles wrote:
FYI:
If it has no brakes at all and never did, they can very easily be added to the existing wheels. A person with moderate mechanical skills and a place/tools to do it could accomplish the task in a few hours. Depending on wheel size, the parts should cost around a hundred dollars per wheel. Wiring is pretty simple but may also require a new pigtail if it's not already a seven-pin. I'd be surprised if it's not, frankly- the Bargman seven-pin round was pretty standard back then, and this trailer sounds big enough to have a battery which would need one spot on the plug.
Shouldn't set you back more than three hundred dollars for parts- not counting the brake controller for the tug which you'll have to buy anyway no matter what trailer you end up with. Unless of course you buy one with surge brakes.
Hate to disagree but..
Not ALL "tag" axles (these are axles which do not have brakes) have the MOUNTING plate to which the brake backing plate mounts to.
One MUST do some research before buying anything because of this.
First, the axles are supposed to have a metal tag attached to them, take a look on both sides of the axles, should find an aluminum tag which will have the manufacturers name and weight class of the axles.
Then while looking for this tag, look at towards the wheels and see if there is a square "plate" with four empty bolt holes. If that is not present then axle replacement will be required.
If you do have the plate with empty bolt holes then you will need the manufacturers data tag to determine what weight class the axle is.
If unable to determine the manufacturer of the axle it is better to replace the axle than to guess at what brakes and drums will fit.
As far as cost, well a pair of backing plates are going to be at least $100 and drums are going to be around $150 for a pair and if you are changing rims $40 each for plain painted steel.
A new axle with brakes most likely will be under $300 so really new drums and backing plates will not save much money..
