Hello,I just purchased a very nice 1997 2 horse S&H trailer that was in excellent condition and well within my price range. However, it did not come with trailer brakes (I didn't even know that was possible-- and it's pretty terrifying that they had been pulling horses without any!). My truck is already wired for brakes and has a box. I can't seem to find anything about installing brakes on a trailer. I'd be willing to either take it into a shop and have it done, or I have some highly skilled friends that would likely do it for less labor costs if it is not a major job.What all goes into installing brakes, how much would the parts be, and do you recommend that I take it in to a shop?Thank you for your help! I realize that it likely would have been better to search for another trailer, but the deal was more than $1000 less than I was willing to spend, and i figured that would cover the cost of the brakes. Hopefully I was right!
Posted 2013-01-19 3:53 PM (#149414 - in reply to #149412) Subject: RE: Trailer brake installation
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Welcome to the forum ... are you sure there are NO brakes or just not working? Get your friends to pull the wheel off. If there is a drum behind the wheel. it's a brake. Next issue is getting it to work. Even trailers of your vintage had at least one axle with brakes.
Posted 2013-01-19 4:54 PM (#149417 - in reply to #149412) Subject: RE: Trailer brake installation
Member
Posts: 5
Location: Lafayette
Thank you! I will check to see what's up. It seemed a little fishy when they said there were NO brakes (especially since my previous trailer was older and had brakes), but the sellers were pretty new to horses and didn't seem to know much. My brake box didn't register the brakes, and my truck was doing all the work on the way home, so I thought it was possible. If the case is that there are brakes and they aren't working, what all goes into that?
Posted 2013-01-19 6:18 PM (#149419 - in reply to #149412) Subject: RE: Trailer brake installation
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Most of our horse trailers have electric brakes.
If the parts are physically attached to your axles, it's just a matter of hooking up the wiring. Which might take a couple of hours, but doesn't involve much more than some wire and connectors. fairly inexpensive.
If the axles really don't have the brake drums and shoes. That would basically involve replacing the at least the drums if not the whole axle.
Posted 2013-01-20 4:05 PM (#149436 - in reply to #149412) Subject: RE: Trailer brake installation
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Lockport, Illinois
I put brakes on a trailer years ago, and it is easy. If your axles have a square backing plate with four holes, you could put brakes on the axle. Once you know your axle rating you can order the brakes. I have done business with this company, and found they have the lowest price in the Midwest, it will cost you a little over $220.00 per axle delivered, this is for everything you need, even a break-away battery box. If you are doing two axles, it would be cheaper as you won't need the break-away battery box.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Add-Brakes-to-your-trailer-Complete-kit-3500-axle-5x5-/260396499103?pt=Motors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3ca0d7409f&vxp=mtr
Posted 2013-01-21 9:17 AM (#149442 - in reply to #149412) Subject: RE: Trailer brake installation
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534 Location: Zionsville, Indiana
We are about 45 minutes from you, on State Road 32 just east of Michigan Road. We have all the parts you might need in stock and can help you figure out what you do need. Take a look behind each wheel/tire to see if you have hub/drums and not just idler hubs. Assuming five bolt wheels, we can send you a wheel bolt pattern checker to be sure the hubs are 5 on 4-1/2 or whatever they are. Best idea is to take a hub off and bring it with you, including the bearings and seal. That way there is no question about what you have. Give us a call and we can talk you through getting it off. 317-769-2460
Incidentally, in Indiana you need brakes on all wheels and a breakaway system regardless of the number of axles.
Posted 2013-01-23 6:29 PM (#149506 - in reply to #149412) Subject: RE: Trailer brake installation
Member
Posts: 5
Location: Lafayette
Thanks again for all of the replies and help. We went ahead and pulled the wheels off and it turns out there are already brakes on all four wheels! Looks like it may be simply a wiring problem. I actually pass by Northside Trailers all the time on the way to Carmel! If the wiring gives more trouble than we expect, I'll definitely be calling you!
Trailer brake installation
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