Adding Brakes to Trailer

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saildork

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Jan 22, 2008
40
Catalina 22 Guntersville, AL
I haul a Catalina 22 behind a Dodge Dakota SLT. The truck has a 5.2 Ltr V-8 with a towing package. All of my trailering to date has been 35 miles one way to my local lake, so I have not felt compelled to add brakes. I just drive very carefully and very defensively. No problems so far.

Starting this summer, I intend to travel farther afield and don't plan on doing so without brakes.

Has anyone added brakes to his trailer? Is this a DIY project or must it be done buy a mechanic? I'm contemplating electric brakes, but I'm open to surge brakes. What's the advantage of one over the other in terms of cost, ease of installation, braking effectiveness?

Any help is appreciated.

Pat
 
r.oril

r.oril

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Oct 29, 2008
586
MacGregor 26D and Catalina 30 26 - 30 Lancaster, CA
My local Carson Trailer guy will add a extra axle with brakes, moving the original back, for about $1000+-. My truck is setup for electric.
 
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jackhartjr

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Dec 9, 2006
694
Oday 22 Hickory, NC
I added electric brakes on two axles on a three axle trailer.
I had to find a welder to weld the plates to the axle that hold the brakes on. If you need the plates I will happily send them to you, don't ask how I got 2 sets of the plates.
It was a pretty easy job...I bought the parts from Northern Tool, they could be bought a lot of places.
I think I had about $350.00 in the whole thing when I got done.
If you do electric brakes don't forget to be legal in most states you have to have a quick release in case the trailer comes off the towing vehicle. That consists of the cable that goes to the quick release which is connected to a little battery and wired to the brakes. If it comes loose from the towed vehicle it simply pops the quick release and the brakes lock down to supposedly stop the trailer. It comes as a complete kit that costs about $50.00 three years ago. The battery gets charged throught the towed vehicle.
Jack
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
Surge brakes are tougher to use, especially when backing or going down hill... if you can get electric brakes do so... However, adding an extra axle may cause problems for the trailer with turning and such, and you probably should just modify the trailer's existing axles for the brakes.
 
Pink Flamingo

Pink Flamingo

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Sep 27, 2008
80
Grampian 26 26 Penetang,Ontario
Last year I trailered a C22 behind a Dodge Caravan,3.3 6 cyl. engine.
Wouldn't do it every weekend,but if you take it easy no problem.
 
okawbow

okawbow

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Jul 5, 2007
196
Kenner Privateer 26 schooner, Carlyle Illinois
I got my surge brake accuator from northern tool. It has a reverse lockout so there is no problem backing. My wheel hubs and brakes drums also have a reverse disconnect feature, so the brakes only work in forward use. My trailer and boat weigh 7500# and I have 2 axles with brakes. They work very well. I don't like electric brakes. They never seem to work when you need them.
 
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saildork

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Jan 22, 2008
40
Catalina 22 Guntersville, AL
Thanks for the feedback, guys. Jack, I think I'll take you up on the plate offer. I'll get back to you in a few days on that. In the meantime, I will be checking out a local shop for having the gear attached to the existing axle on my trailer.

Let me know of any other pitfalls I should look out for in this project.

Pat
 
George H260

George H260

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Aug 11, 2006
1,446
Hunter H260 Traverse City
Trailer Brakes

There might be a reason virtually all boat trailers have surge brakes. Water does not mix well with electricity, especially in salt water.

I'd go with surge brakes. Reliable and trouble free
 
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jackhartjr

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Dec 9, 2006
694
Oday 22 Hickory, NC
George, I would have gone with Surge brakes, however I had to get the brakes on the trailer quick and it was easier to do the electric brakes. I have promised myself that I will rinse them off EVERY time the trailer gets wet.
I am planning to purchase one of the tanks with a built in pump and sprayer to help with the rinsing off.
I also plan to put the rinse kit on the brakes. It is a kit that when attached to a hose, (In the case the sprayer) it rinses out the brakes, in other words a hose goes to each brake to allow this. The brakes I put on have the hole that adapts to the kit.
I have said it many times...after a friend had to replace springs, shackles, U-bolts, etc because of rust...he started rinsing each time it got wet. No rust in over 4 years.
Jack
 
S

saildork

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Jan 22, 2008
40
Catalina 22 Guntersville, AL
I decided to go with surge brakes on my existing axle. I found only one shop locally that does this kind of work, but their price seems reasonable (although more than the $350 you quoted, Jack).:cry: Anyway, they will take a look at my trailer, order the parts and, when the parts are received, they can install the system in a couple hours.:)

Thanks anyway for the offer of the plates, Jack.

Pat
'Stargazer'
 
J

jackhartjr

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Dec 9, 2006
694
Oday 22 Hickory, NC
Hi Pat, you will be happy with the brakes.
The $350.00 was me doing the work myself.
Like I said above, please make sure you rinse the trailer off each time you splash it. Then again, if it is fresh water you wouldn't be as concerned as if it is salt water.
Jack
 
B

blue noser

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Sep 27, 2008
77
Macgregor 25 petpeswick harbor nova scotia
go with the surge, is very easy to use and install, for the lock out i just ran a wire from my back up lights with a plug, if i leave parked with the rearing facing down hill i just unplug and added saftey, anyone can do it and i got a kit from the trailer parts super store, easy install manual and works great, less electrical problems to have
 
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