Dexter axel brake up grade
We have a large teardrop trailer,(I know kind of an oxymoron), and the TV is a Subaru Outback 3.6L H6. The tear has 7" brakes on a Dexter axle. Dexter says there is no way to upgrade to 10" brakes. ...
Forum Discussion
Shadow Catcher,
IMO, many trailer (RV, boat, utility) factories build their trailers on the need of 90% of their buyers. Minimum build for most of their buyers means more profits for their pockets. Thus, many install "just enough" braking power and they forget about the non-average buyer / non-average towing conditions. If your trailer endures non-average road conditions (like driving down very long steep grades), then yes. I too would recommend a trailer brake upgrade improvement - even though the trailer maker may disagree. BTW: If they did agree your trailer needed brake upgrades, it "could be" ammunition for your lawyer - which they don't want to battle. Sad to say but true.
To upgrade your trailer brakes, I would seriously look a larger brake backing plate (aka: brake plate / flange) on existing axle and install the larger size brake hub assemblies. re: Replace existing 2,000 (????) brake assemblies with much stronger 3,500 brake hub assembly. Or, might even upgrade to 10" for 4,400 lbs brake hubs - if fits on existing brake flange holes. And yes, if the brake flange will bolt onto existing axle, then simply install new brake assemblies and new rim replacements. If the new brake flange won't fit on existing axle, then "up size" axle swap is needed as well. If DIY work isn't your thing, take your trailer to a few welding and/or auto / mechanical shops in your area. Many of them will do visual checks and recommend their best solution - after double / triple checking "current" configuration themselves.
If wondering, I always "up size" my trailer brakes. Especially since I keep my trailers for many, many years - which means "up size" cost is worth it in the long run. And, I've never regretted doing "up size" to my many different trailers.
Hope this helps.
IMO, many trailer (RV, boat, utility) factories build their trailers on the need of 90% of their buyers. Minimum build for most of their buyers means more profits for their pockets. Thus, many install "just enough" braking power and they forget about the non-average buyer / non-average towing conditions. If your trailer endures non-average road conditions (like driving down very long steep grades), then yes. I too would recommend a trailer brake upgrade improvement - even though the trailer maker may disagree. BTW: If they did agree your trailer needed brake upgrades, it "could be" ammunition for your lawyer - which they don't want to battle. Sad to say but true.
To upgrade your trailer brakes, I would seriously look a larger brake backing plate (aka: brake plate / flange) on existing axle and install the larger size brake hub assemblies. re: Replace existing 2,000 (????) brake assemblies with much stronger 3,500 brake hub assembly. Or, might even upgrade to 10" for 4,400 lbs brake hubs - if fits on existing brake flange holes. And yes, if the brake flange will bolt onto existing axle, then simply install new brake assemblies and new rim replacements. If the new brake flange won't fit on existing axle, then "up size" axle swap is needed as well. If DIY work isn't your thing, take your trailer to a few welding and/or auto / mechanical shops in your area. Many of them will do visual checks and recommend their best solution - after double / triple checking "current" configuration themselves.
If wondering, I always "up size" my trailer brakes. Especially since I keep my trailers for many, many years - which means "up size" cost is worth it in the long run. And, I've never regretted doing "up size" to my many different trailers.
Hope this helps.
