Can brakes be added to trailer

[Gbrad]

Just bought a Stratos 290 S/F but the trailer doesn't have surge brakes like my last one did. Can they be added or should I leave it alone?

 

[maproy99]

Re: Can brakes be added to trailer

Does the axle(s) have a mounting plate on the back?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Can brakes be added to trailer

most trailers have axles with mounting plates. if so, its a bolt on and bleed project.

depending on where you live, your local state laws will dictate at what weight brakes are needed, however I believe most states are 3000#

 

[Lou C]

Re: Can brakes be added to trailer

www.championtrailers.com
look in the tech article section, all you need to know about adding brakes...
Not a hard job, the part that took the longest for me was snaking the brake line through the frame. I added a pair of 10" surge drums a nd it made a huge difference in towing my boat. I check the brakes every 4 seasons or so, I started lubing the piston in the wheel cylinder with OMC triple guard grease and I found that it keeps the piston from seizing up and if you do that and grease the threads on the brake adjuster it keeps them working well much longer....

 

[Neted]

Re: Can brakes be added to trailer

A few years ago my brakes locked up on our vacation. I was able to order a complete brake kit from these people they also sell kits to install on a trailer which does not have brakes. I was always under the impression that disc brakes were better for boat trailers then drum. That is probably another topic well discussed elsewhere on this forum.

http://championtrailers.com/

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Can brakes be added to trailer

My trailer didn't come with brakes and I was able to add electric brakes (drum, not disk) with parts ordered from an outfit on Ebay. A pretty easy modification for anyone with moderate DIY skills, and they have worked great. You can find them on Ebay at http://stores.ebay.com/R-and-P-Carriages-Trailer-Sales; just look for brake kits.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: Can brakes be added to trailer

I've pulled trailers with surge brakes and electric brakes and I prefer the electric brakes. I don't know how much more it would cost to go electric but you might want to look into those. My truck had the factory tow package and was already pre-wired for a controller so it was really easy to hook up. If your tow vehicle isn't pre-wired it would be a bit more work to add a controller though.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Can brakes be added to trailer

I think my cost to add electric brakes to my single axle trailer was about $300, including the controller.

 

[JEBar]

Re: Can brakes be added to trailer

how well do electric brakes hold up to being repeatedly immersed in water

Jim

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Can brakes be added to trailer

they hold up fine if they are designed for submersion. they will continue to work until the maintenance stops just like surge brakes

 

[T_Herrod]

Re: Can brakes be added to trailer

how well do electric brakes hold up to being repeatedly immersed in water

I would think they should be fine as long as periodic maintenance and inspections are done. Just remember to unplug before dunking.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Can brakes be added to trailer

My trailer didn't have the flanges for brakes, so I replaced both axles with new axles including electric brakes. 2 each 3,500 pound rated axles with brakes delivered from Lubbock, TX to Black hawk, CO for about $950. By the time I added the rest of the electrical stuff, and got it all together it was about $1,150.