Conversion from hydraulic to electric brakes

[srossman]

Ok,

So I'm just trying to get feel for what would be involved in this. I bought a trailer last year that has hydraulic drum brakes. If I wanted to convert them to use electric brakes, what would be involved on the trailer. The trailer already has the 7-prong rv type connector, I think the wiring is already there to do the conversion. Thanks ahead of time for any information that you provide.

-Scot

 

[Mike120]

My big horse trailer has electric over hydraulic brakes and I love them. The conversion cost about $900. When I get home I'll post the brand of the unit I've got. One interesting variable to keep in mind is if you have a Ford truck with the built-in controller or a Prodigy controller you'll need a special module to keep it happy.

 

[MikeD74T]

You'll probably need to change the drums, backing plates, & hardware. See Untitled Document, they have all the parts & are easy to talk to. MikeD74T

 

[George2615]

Northern Tool has various eletric brake kits for 7", 10" and 12" brakes. Drums are available for 4, 5, 6, or 8 hole wheels. The 10" electric brake kit includes the backing plates and drums for one axle which the picture in the catalog shows as having 5 lug wheels. Discount members price is $199.99 per axle. 7 and 12" parts are sold separately. Disc brake kits are available too. Dexter axle can also help you out if you have the spindle size.

 

[Mike120]

Normally hydraulic brakes are on the bigger trailers and they beat the heck out of electric brakes when you've got a 20K load behind you. I used the Carlisle Hydrastar to convert mine to electric. I also have the Ford/Prodigy Adaptor Module to interface it with the built-in controller in my tow truck. The unit is made by Carlisle Industrial Brake & Friction in Bloomington, Indiana. PM me if you need more details. It's an easy conversion that works great. I can't find the invoice for the conversion but I think it was around $600. The Ford module was $91 installed. I added that when I got the new truck.

 

[pat32rf]

When I got my trailer it had been used in salt water, not flushed and all the brake innards had been removed when they seized. I was able to buy new backing plates complete with shoes,magnets, springs etc that fit my drums at an RV dealer. I then torched off my old backing plates and after determining the right distance in from the drum, welded on the new backing plate retaining rings (the old plates were welded directly to the axles) and bolted everything up. Cost about $200 Canadian per axle for the parts. (I couldn't identify the old units to buy new shoes and magnets) This way I was able to reuse the old drums and rims...

 

[srossman]

Thanks for all the info guys, I'm going to have to crawl under my trailer and take a closer look. I will say that it is nice to have brakes over no brakes. the only thing I don't really like about the hydraulic brakes is the restarting after a stop. It's a little jerky till the trailer starts moving again. I was hoping that by switching to electric brakes, the startup would be easier on the truck.