electric brakes

Be sure and size the brakes for the weight of the camper. I have a 1,500lb dry camper with a 2,000 lb axle. It takes 7" brakes. A 3,500 lb axle will take 10" brakes.

I installed mine myself. It was easy as the backing plate was already there. One thing I found was that the oil seal couldn't be mounted flush with the outside of the brake drum, but must be recessed 1/4 of an inch (closer to the bearing) to ride on the smooth, raised part of the axle shaft. The first one I left flush and damaged the seal. Your experience may be different, but it's worth a checking if you are doing the job yourself. Don't forget the trailer break-away switch, (and a battery source if your camper does not have a battery) which is a legal requirement in most states if you have brakes.

Chip

Shadow Catcher wrote:

Many states have requirements for brakes depending on the weight of the trailer, Nevada starting at 1500#

but most states and provinces are 3K

We have a large all aluminum frame teardrop trailer and owned the first one made by this company and now the seventh. #1 did not have brakes #7 does. The wet weight is about 1700#. I learned with #1 and I would never have another trailer with out them. It is better to have brakes and not need them than to need them and not have them. Descending Tioga pass last year the brakes were smoking on the TV and that is with trailer brakes.
Many states have requirements for brakes depending on the weight of the trailer, Nevada starting at 1500#

I would only recommend using brakes, never suggesting otherwise. I only wish I had put them on my "lightweight" PUP as I had a couple of close calls thanks to other folks not realizing what it takes to stop short.

It is a combination of adjusting the brake controller voltage AND the brake gap adjustment. If you are locking up the brakes with a relatively low voltage, then open up the adjustment on the brake a little.

In my current situation, I cannot get the brakes to lock up for anything. Of course, Prodigy says that can be the case and it is normal. I can most definitely tell that the trailer brakes work and work well.

Terryallan wrote:
How effective the brakes will be, is entirely dependent on the weight of the trailer. A really light trailer, like "many" popups. Will just bounce, and slide with trailer brakes. Unless you dial them down until they are not working at all. Been there done that.

My self. IF the trailer is under 2500lb , and you are using something other than a minivan. I wouldn't worry about it. But if it makes you feel better, have them put on.

My pop-up weighed in at 2,400lb fully loaded and the brakes make an immense difference. Only once have I locked the trailer brakes and if I hadn't had them, a mom & kid would not be here today. The guy driving a small car with his family pulled out across traffic without looking; their small car mostly disappeared below the hood-line of my truck (and it's not THAT big of a truck!). There was probably less than 6" between the vehicles.

So yes, properly installed & maintained trailer brakes help. If they are locking up when the trailer is empty or lightly loaded, the gain setting is too high on the controller. Really easy to dial it down to the appropriate level for the trailer weight.

How effective the brakes will be, is entirely dependent on the weight of the trailer. A really light trailer, like "many" popups. Will just bounce, and slide with trailer brakes. Unless you dial them down until they are not working at all. Been there done that.

My self. IF the trailer is under 2500lb , and you are using something other than a minivan. I wouldn't worry about it. But if it makes you feel better, have them put on.

Its not that difficult of a job providing, as others has stated, your axle already has the mounting flanges. I added electric brakes to my Aliner which did have the necessary flanges on the axle. I purchased the wheel and brake components from Northern Tool. It did require a bit shimming to get the backer plate horizontally positioned correctly to the wheel so that the magnet would properly engage the inside of the wheel.

Of course then comes the wiring on the trailer, the tow vehicle, and adding a brake controller. If you are handy with such things its just a matter of having the time to work on it.

dennin wrote:
How difficult is it to add electric brakes to a camper that does not have them I towed many things for an amusement company and know the value of having the electric brakes even on a light load.

It usually requires the axle to be changed to a backing plate type, many small trailer axles don't have a backing plate to mount the brakes.

My favorite answer from vendors trying to answer my questions about their product: "It depends".

What kind of axle do you currently have on your PUP? What Make, model and year is your PUP?

It is possible to easily add brakes yourself if the small, square mounting plate is already there. Look just behind the wheel for about a 6"x6" plate on the axle mounted parallel to the wheel and has four holes in the corners.

If not, you'll need to probably take it to a trailer shop and have them weld on the mount and might as well have them install the brakes while they're at it.

We appreciate your awareness of the safety factor, as would anyone with you during a "situation".