adding brakes to a trailer...

bigwaylon

bigwaylon

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Location
Charlotte
I read the thread titled Trailer Brakes:

http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1087


...but, it was only a discussion about brake controllers...


I have a friend who's dad has a SuperDuty and a trailer he's going to loan me...but the trailer has no brakes. The SD already has a controller, and he wants to add the brakes before we use it. I see a lot of the dealers offer brakes only on one axle, and then charge $100-$150 to add them to the second. My friend's dad called Golden Gait and a couple others, and got quotes of $250-$300 for just parts. Are we missing something? (like maybe the wiring is already done for one axle, and adding the second is cake?)...

Where's the best place (and brand) to pick up brakes for a trailer?

Greg
 
upnover said:
Northern tools has them. ALso, Redneck Trailor supply in Linconton
Click to expand...


has anybody priced them at Northern? Are we looking at the sub-$150 range, or is it really $300 to do the first axle, and the second would be cheaper?

when buying them, is there anything to know besides wheel size and bolt pattern?

Greg
 
well the price will also depend on axle size on trailer (which also means bolt pattern)

IE: is it a 3500lb axle with 4 lug or 5
is it 5000lb or bigger axle with 6 lub
or 8 lug axle...

example:
regular 5 lug axle brake kit at northern tool = $85 for backing plate and pads, etc..
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...uctDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=7768&R=7768

then hub set = $80
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...tDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=13477&R=13477

then you can just wire them up yourself...
trailer should have light wiring so that means you only need to add 2 wires for brakes to work.
but if trailer does not have brakes on it at all then you will need new 6 or 7 prong wiring end = $18
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...?storeId=6970&productId=200312018&R=200312018

to make them all work.

that is a start for you :)
 
BRUISER said:
well the price will also depend on axle size on trailer (which also means bolt pattern)

IE: is it a 3500lb axle with 4 lug or 5
is it 5000lb or bigger axle with 6 lub
or 8 lug axle...

example:
regular 5 lug axle brake kit at northern tool = $85 for backing plate and pads, etc..
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...uctDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=7768&R=7768

then hub set = $80
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...tDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=13477&R=13477

then you can just wire them up yourself...
trailer should have light wiring so that means you only need to add 2 wires for brakes to work.
but if trailer does not have brakes on it at all then you will need new 6 or 7 prong wiring end = $18
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...?storeId=6970&productId=200312018&R=200312018

to make them all work.

that is a start for you :)
Click to expand...



great info...that'll probably get us going...

it has 3500 lb axles, and is a 5x5 bolt pattern...

THANKS!!

Greg
 
Northern usually has the brake stuff in stock.. that sure beats paying shipping and waiting!!
 
Also point of interest: when I upgraded my front axle to add brakes it did NOT have the 4 bolt mounting flange, for the backing plate. After a lengthy search and several companies stating you could only get them from the factory on the axle (ie purchase a new axle) I found them at tractor supply...
 
yager said:
Also point of interest: when I upgraded my front axle to add brakes it did NOT have the 4 bolt mounting flange, for the backing plate. After a lengthy search and several companies stating you could only get them from the factory on the axle (ie purchase a new axle) I found them at tractor supply...
Click to expand...

Yep there are a lot without any backing plates on the axles but you can weld one on or fab one up just make sure it is true, I know someone that welded the plate and it warped from the heat and the pads dont last long.
Make sure your hub and tire will clear, your axle may have a offset or the people that built it may not have spaced it enough.
Jon
 
only place I've actually talked to (been out of town since Monday) was Northern Tool...

they only have a 5x4.5 bolt pattern for the hubs...

they say that's what you use for a 3,500lb axle...but my friend says the trailer has 3,500lb axles but 5x5 bolt pattern...

anybody know off-hand if that's another common trailer axle bolt pattern so parts will be easy to find?

Greg
 
JUst and FYI they have other sizes you have to look in there big catalog.
most people in the store do not know much about trailer stuff..

I just got 6 lub from them with 6,000Lb axles :)
 
BRUISER said:
JUst and FYI they have other sizes you have to look in there big catalog.
most people in the store do not know much about trailer stuff..

I just got 6 lub from them with 6,000Lb axles :)
Click to expand...


I called the 800 number from the catalog I was looking at...and they didn't have anything except 5x4.5 for the brake drums and hubs...

they do have other bolt patterns for the actual high speed hub sets on the axle, if we wanted to replace them (and change the bolt pattern)...

Greg
 
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