Trailer Brakes

[mscher]

I have a 1960's two-horse trailer, with two axles.

The front axle has some wires protruding from the inside hubs, so I'm assuming that is has some sort of electric braking system.

I won't be hauling the weight of two horses, but the idea of having trailer brakes seems like a plus, so I'll pull the hub for a look-see, when I replace tires.

Never used trailer brakes (except for the big truck), so I don't know what is involved, concerning the tow vehicle setup, etc. Is it even worth messing with, for an old trailer?

Any input apreciated.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trailer Brakes

Ayuh,.....

Basically all that's needed for the tow unit is a Brake Control Box.....
It'll vary the power to the magnets to vary the braking......

Go up to the Trailer Forum,+ TD or somebody will link you to a Supplier of Parts......

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Trailer Brakes

I'd do it. It's not as hard as you think. Once you ID the axle manufacturer, you can buy entire replacement assemblies that just bolt on. They're cheaper than buying all the individual components. Will you have to wire your truck or is it already wired?

 

[mscher]

Re: Trailer Brakes

I'd do it. It's not as hard as you think. Once you ID the axle manufacturer, you can buy entire replacement assemblies that just bolt on. They're cheaper than buying all the individual components. Will you have to wire your truck or is it already wired?

No, the vehicle (98' pathfinder) is not wired for trailer brakes. Do you just wire in a controller or do they need to be linked to the vehicle brake system. Are they actually modulated, or simply on/off?

This trailer is 42 years old, so it the parts not be as revelant as newer systems.

Could also be a large can of worms, that may be best left closed.

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: Trailer Brakes

I vote for the can of worms. How often do you use the trailer? How far do you go? How fast do you go? How hilly is your area?

Around here on flat ground and not going very far I'd say it's not worth it.

But, when they do work right they are very handy to have!!!

You will need to pull your hubs off and most likely replace everything inside. Then you need to run wires to the right type of plug on your truck that can handle the brake wires and stop/tail light wires at the same time. You need to add a electronic brake controller to your tow vehicle. If you have anti lock brakes you will need a unit that does not screw them up. (Almost all units are that way now.) Then you need to adjust the brakes depending on load. The biggest problem is rust. They run on electricity and magnetism and every few years the rust and have to be worked on again.

This is the easy explanation. We haven't even started talking about good grounds yet.

It all depends on how you use the trailer to decide if ti's worth it.

Remember, depending on the weight rating of the trailer you may be required by law to have brakes. That varies be each state.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Trailer Brakes

No big deal to add a brake control to the vehicle.
As long as you find out the drum size on the trailer you can find the brake assembly.About all of them are the 4 bolt deal just like in the picture.Napa auto parts sells them ready to bolt on.
A dual axle horse trailer really needs brakes.

 

[JCF350]

Re: Trailer Brakes

Remember also to add a "converter box" for the separate turn signal/brake lights on the vehicle. Allows the trailer lites to flash and display brake light on one bulb where the vehicle uses two bulbs on each side.

http://www.iboats.com/Attwood_Road_...06780707--**********.051885424--view_id.38138

 

[rwise]

Re: Trailer Brakes

Here it is law (new) that it have brakes and they work ($500 fine for not). I would fix them anyway as having tailor brakes has saved my but several times.
my 2 cents,,,,

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Trailer Brakes

No, the vehicle (98' pathfinder) is not wired for trailer brakes. Do you just wire in a controller or do they need to be linked to the vehicle brake system. Are they actually modulated, or simply on/off?

The controller will have to be wired in. They have four wires, one goes to ground (typically white), one goes to your battery via a 20A (2 axle trailers) or 30A (3/4 axle trailers) self-resetting breaker (typically black), one goes to the brake pedal light switch wire on your truck (typically red) and the other goes all the way back to your trailer connector (always blue). You'll need extra spools of each color, depending on the length of the runs you'll make. The white and red and blue are typically 12ga.(2 axle trailers) or 10ga (3/4 axle trailers) and the red is 16-18ga.

Brake controllers are all modulated. The cheaper ones are time delayed and basically you can set the rate. The better ones are proportional and base the response on your deceleration rate and you can dial in their sensitivity. The better proportional ones can be mounted in any position, the lesser have max. angles and/or level position switches on the sides.