I have recently purchased a 2 axel 16x6.5 car trailer and i am wanting to put trailer brakes on it. The brakes of choice are electric drum brakes but I don't know much about electric trailer brakes. I understand that they are actuated by a controller (which i have installed) but do the wires go to the pad area or is there a controller that mounts on the trailer as well?

 

Each brake has 2 wires, a + and a ground. I just replaced the brakes on our horse trailer (dual axle). I soldered/heat shrunk 12 gauge wire from each brake (both wires) and ran them up to the tack room area (4*12 gauge positive, 4* 12 gauge ground). I spliced the 4 positive wires together in a terminal strip there then connected my single 10 gauge wire from the trailer plug/harness that plugs into the truck. No controller of any sort on the trailer, just good wires, good grounds. The old brakes had each ground on each hub, that left 4 places for bad grounds. New wires, new good grounds, the brakes ought to outlast the trailer now (at least the wiring portion anyway) :-)

Take a look at the hubs now to see if there are any wires there. I can't believe you could get a trailer that big without brakes already on it. My guess is the wires are there already.

Mike

 

Thanks for the reply and no there aren't any brakes on the trailer as it sits but there will be i was just wondering what it entailed I am very confident in my 12 volt wiring skills so that won't be a problem. Thanks for the info!

 

The brake circuit that you are planning should also include a breakaway switch and battery to be mounted on the trailer. If there are no other electrical devices to be installed on the trailer, such as a winch or area lighting, then you can use a small battery that comes with a plastic case that mounts on the trailer tongue and is adequate to provide emergency braking. You can also mount a larger deep cycle battery, like a travel trailer would use, if you plan to have other electrical loads that would require it. This larger battery can also provide the power for a break away device.

The break away switch is a small box containing a special switch with two wires coming from it on one end and a cable attached to a plunger on the other end. You attach the other end of this cable to your tow vehicle's frame or other substantial mounting point. In the event that your trailer becomes detached from the hitch while towing, the cable will pull the plunger out of the switch which in turn activates the trailer's brakes (via the wires from the breakaway switch) using the battery that is on the trailer for power.

A breakaway switch is required on a trailer with electric brakes. It should be tested regularly but never test it while the trailer's pigtail is plugged into the tow vehicle as it can damage your brake controller.

You mentioned that you had installed a brake controller in your tow vehicle. I don't know if you have used it successfully with another trailer or not but you may find that if you have a factory tow package, your truck may need one or two fuses and relays installed in the power control center under the hood in order to complete all of the circuits. Some dealers install these items during dealer prep and others leave them in a plastic bag in the glove compartment.

Gene

 

Yeah i have pulled trailers withtrailer brakes with success so i know the controller is operational. Thanks for you input i appreciate it.

 

I am also rewiring the electric brakes on an old travel trailer.
Does anyone have a link to a wiring diagram with the proper way to wire up the brakes with the brake away switch.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris.

 

Before you go to far you should pull the trailer tires and make sure that the axles have the flange that the backing plate for the brakes to bolts to. If it doesn't it would be easier to just buy new axles with the brakes already mounted.

Denny