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
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Hi rivertrails,
Since your trailer is 3,000 lbs, assume your trailer has 3200, 3500 or 3600 lbs axle under it. Also assume your trailer also has HD 13" tires/Rims or 14" tires. To see if existing axle has the brake flange, simply crawl on hands and knees and look under the trailer. At one wheel, get down and look across to the back side of the opposite wheel. Look for the steel plate like - click here -
Note: If NO steel plate, I'd recommend replacing the axle with a new axle that has this steel plate. If wondering, a very good welding shop can weld new plates on end of existing axle. Since alignment must be "perfect", many welding shops won't do it. Thus, its much easier to replace with new axle (that is complete with electric bakes/hubs or has this steel plate).
Assume steel plate (aka: brake mounting plate) does exist on existing axle, then simply buy Left brake assembly kit, Right brake assembly kit and 2 x hubs for electric brakes. When buying each, always best to buy both sides from same company. re: Either All Dexter or ALL Quality parts.
Note: Before buying wheel hubs, double/triple check bolt patterns as well. Most existing rims are 5 - 4.5 and some rims are 5 - 5.5 bolt patterns. To confirm existing bolt pattern of existing rims, download, print and hold the template against the exiting hubs. re: - click here -
To install electric brakes on a trailer, a good training video at - Click Here -
If needing to buy a new axle with steel plates, its much less costly to buy an axle with existing Brake Assemblies and wheel hubs. I bought a new axle with brakes for my one trailer and it simply bolted in. NO fussing around with kits. One only needs to bolt in, then add its STAR wiring. Do shop around because new axles prices do vary.
For wiring, I highly recommend STAR design "outside the axle" using thick 10 gauge wire. STAR is much better that minimum linear wiring inside the axles. For pictures of each, surf:
- Click Here -
- Click Here -
- Click Here -
Remember to buy the 7-lead wire down trailer tongue as well. re: - Click Here -
If wondering, I recently installed 10" electric brakes under my 17ft boat. From end/end (including 10 gauge wiring, PEX, connectors, etc. etc.), the estimate cost was $300. Money well spent.
For a few pictures, surf: - click here - - Click Here - - Click Here - - Click Here - - Click Here - - Click Here -
Long mumblings short, spending $300 or so to install electric brakes under a trailer is well worth it. Braking power before and after is amazing. Especially when using STAR wiring design and towing a 3,000 lbs trailer with a mid-size SUV &/or mini-van.
Hope this helps..
Hi rivertrails,
Since your trailer is 3,000 lbs, assume your trailer has 3200, 3500 or 3600 lbs axle under it. Also assume your trailer also has HD 13" tires/Rims or 14" tires. To see if existing axle has the brake flange, simply crawl on hands and knees and look under the trailer. At one wheel, get down and look across to the back side of the opposite wheel. Look for the steel plate like - click here -
Note: If NO steel plate, I'd recommend replacing the axle with a new axle that has this steel plate. If wondering, a very good welding shop can weld new plates on end of existing axle. Since alignment must be "perfect", many welding shops won't do it. Thus, its much easier to replace with new axle (that is complete with electric bakes/hubs or has this steel plate).
Assume steel plate (aka: brake mounting plate) does exist on existing axle, then simply buy Left brake assembly kit, Right brake assembly kit and 2 x hubs for electric brakes. When buying each, always best to buy both sides from same company. re: Either All Dexter or ALL Quality parts.
Note: Before buying wheel hubs, double/triple check bolt patterns as well. Most existing rims are 5 - 4.5 and some rims are 5 - 5.5 bolt patterns. To confirm existing bolt pattern of existing rims, download, print and hold the template against the exiting hubs. re: - click here -
To install electric brakes on a trailer, a good training video at - Click Here -
If needing to buy a new axle with steel plates, its much less costly to buy an axle with existing Brake Assemblies and wheel hubs. I bought a new axle with brakes for my one trailer and it simply bolted in. NO fussing around with kits. One only needs to bolt in, then add its STAR wiring. Do shop around because new axles prices do vary.
For wiring, I highly recommend STAR design "outside the axle" using thick 10 gauge wire. STAR is much better that minimum linear wiring inside the axles. For pictures of each, surf:
- Click Here -
- Click Here -
- Click Here -
Remember to buy the 7-lead wire down trailer tongue as well. re: - Click Here -
If wondering, I recently installed 10" electric brakes under my 17ft boat. From end/end (including 10 gauge wiring, PEX, connectors, etc. etc.), the estimate cost was $300. Money well spent.
For a few pictures, surf: - click here - - Click Here - - Click Here - - Click Here - - Click Here - - Click Here -
Long mumblings short, spending $300 or so to install electric brakes under a trailer is well worth it. Braking power before and after is amazing. Especially when using STAR wiring design and towing a 3,000 lbs trailer with a mid-size SUV &/or mini-van.
Hope this helps..
