ordered brakes today

[glastron23]

Hi Guys.. it's not hard to install them, just try and take a little extra time and use the proper items for the wiring, AVOID using scotch lock connectors sure they are simple and quick but a year later you will be back repairing the wires. Take the time to use barrel connectors with a good dual wall heat shrink (the type with glue on the inside) this will make a bullet proof connection. Bring all the wires including the grounds back to a junction box that you can mount (if there isn't one now) on the trailer,doing this with all the wires on the trailer will also help trouble shooting later either with the brakes or lights. Taking the grounds from the side of the trailer is asking for problems later in life.
Just remember the the backing plates have a left or right stamped on the back of them, if you get these reversed the brakes will not work as planed (unless you want REALLY good brakes in REVERSE LOL), before you mount the plates it's worth taking the adjusting wheels out and give them a little lube. remember once every thing is together to set the brakes shoes up.
Just take your time, and everything will go as planed.. Jim

 

[ModMech]

There are different weight classes and sizes of brakes, both electric and hydraulic. Be sure to get the correct set.

Many states have the requirment for brakes on ALL axles if a trailer is over a certain limit (typically 3000# GVW) and a few allow brakes on only one axle up to a point.

To be safe, you want brakes on ANY trailer you tow that brings the towing vehicle's weight over the GVW.

Let's say you have a Caravan with a GVW of 5250# towing a small utility trailer that weighs in at 1500# with it's load. When you put 5 people, the dog and a cooler into the van for your trip to grandma's house the van now weighs 5100#, add the weight of the trailer and the TOTAL is 6,600#, nearly 1400# OVER the safe GVW of the van. This means you cannot safely stop the load without proper brakes on the trailer, period.

Im MY opinion, ANY trailer that causes the GVW of the towing vehicle to be exceeded should be required to have brakes on all axles. It should not matter if the trailer is for a lawn tractor at 800# or a "Big Rig" at 80,000#.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Hi Guys.. it's not hard to install them, just try and take a little extra time and use the proper items for the wiring, AVOID using scotch lock connectors sure they are simple and quick but a year later you will be back repairing the wires. Take the time to use barrel connectors with a good dual wall heat shrink (the type with glue on the inside) this will make a bullet proof connection. Bring all the wires including the grounds back to a junction box that you can mount (if there isn't one now) on the trailer,doing this with all the wires on the trailer will also help trouble shooting later either with the brakes or lights. Taking the grounds from the side of the trailer is asking for problems later in life.
Just remember the the backing plates have a left or right stamped on the back of them, if you get these reversed the brakes will not work as planed (unless you want REALLY good brakes in REVERSE LOL), before you mount the plates it's worth taking the adjusting wheels out and give them a little lube. remember once every thing is together to set the brakes shoes up.
Just take your time, and everything will go as planed.. Jim

All great advise.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

There are different weight classes and sizes of brakes, both electric and hydraulic. Be sure to get the correct set.

Many states have the requirment for brakes on ALL axles if a trailer is over a certain limit (typically 3000# GVW) and a few allow brakes on only one axle up to a point.

To be safe, you want brakes on ANY trailer you tow that brings the towing vehicle's weight over the GVW.

Let's say you have a Caravan with a GVW of 5250# towing a small utility trailer that weighs in at 1500# with it's load. When you put 5 people, the dog and a cooler into the van for your trip to grandma's house the van now weighs 5100#, add the weight of the trailer and the TOTAL is 6,600#, nearly 1400# OVER the safe GVW of the van. This means you cannot safely stop the load without proper brakes on the trailer, period.

Im MY opinion, ANY trailer that causes the GVW of the towing vehicle to be exceeded should be required to have brakes on all axles. It should not matter if the trailer is for a lawn tractor at 800# or a "Big Rig" at 80,000#.

Again good advise. I will say though I have 2 7K trailers both with brakes on one axle and both do fine behind my lighter 1/2 ton trucks and is a non issue behind both PSD 3/4 and 1 tons.

Chris

 

[shine]

Got the brakes installed went pretty smooth,like anything else it would go faster the second time. I did kind of a hack job on the wireing useing stuff I had on hand. My next prodject will be rewireing the trailer. Thanks for all the input.

 

[rimshot]

And speaking of wiring it seems to me as though the wire within a foot or so of the brake assembly and drum will need to have some slack given that this axle needs to move up and down with road deviation and potholes.

No Scotch Locks? Too late they are in but I did tape them up good. The trailer is all ready equipped with several Scotch locks by the manufacturer. To power my front axle brakes I just tee'd in to the powered brake immediately to the rear on each side.

rim