Adding brakes to second axle

[buck12]

I have a 7000 lb capacity trailer with brakes on one axle. While this setup has worked fine I would like to have brakes on the second axle. I assume this can be done by simply purchasing two brake assemblies and two hub/drum assemblies and simply tapping into the wires going into the current brakes. I hope someone who has done this will point me in the right direction. I have included a photo of the axle stub without brakes. The non brake axle has a backing plate.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I do this weekly. Go to www.randpcarriages.com for great pricing and all the info.

Chris

 

[buck12]

I do this weekly. Go to www.r&pcarriages.com for great pricing and all the info.

Chris

Chris I started to just PM you. I will open the link when I get to a computer. Thanks.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Chris I started to just PM you. I will open the link when I get to a computer. Thanks.

Use this link. The old one does not work.

I think you need 3,500# axle stuff from your info given but make sure using the charts he has. Also make sure you know your lug pattern for the proper drums. He has the info on how to measure them also.

Chris

 

[dodge man]

I wonder what they charge to add them. I'm less than a three hour drive from them. I'd also like to add brakes to my other axle, although I haven't had anything on my trailer yet that weighed over 3000 lbs yet.

 

[buck12]

Use this link. The old one does not work.

I think you need 3,500# axle stuff from your info given but make sure using the charts he has. Also make sure you know your lug pattern for the proper drums. He has the info on how to measure them also.

Chris

According to their eBay listing I can get everything I need for $140 plus shipping. The eBay site only shows a six bolt brake kit and I have five lug axles. I will call Monday and see if they offer a kit for my wheel pattern. Thanks for the link.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I wonder what they charge to add them. I'm less than a three hour drive from them. I'd also like to add brakes to my other axle, although I haven't had anything on my trailer yet that weighed over 3000 lbs yet.

1 hour labor. If you can change brakes on you car you can add brakes to a second axle.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

According to their eBay listing I can get everything I need for $140 plus shipping. The eBay site only shows a six bolt brake kit and I have five lug axles. I will call Monday and see if they offer a kit for my wheel pattern. Thanks for the link.

Yep, its cheap to do and simple. If you can pack bearings and adjust drums you are set.

Just make sure you know your bolt pattern. 6 lug and 8 lugs are all the same but 5 lugs have 4 different spacing. Most are 5 lug on 4.5" spacing but some are 4.25", 4.75", and 5.0" spacing. Makes it confusing. I had two trailers for 3 years that were both 5 lug but one was one spacing and on another. Pain in the butt.


Chris

 

[buck12]

Yep, its cheap to do and simple. If you can pack bearings and adjust drums you are set.

Just make sure you know your bolt pattern. 6 lug and 8 lugs are all the same but 5 lugs have 4 different spacing. Most are 5 lug on 4.5" spacing but some are 4.25", 4.75", and 5.0" spacing. Makes it confusing. I had two trailers for 3 years that were both 5 lug but one was one spacing and on another. Pain in the butt.

Chris

I packed my bearings yesterday that's how I discovered the second axle had backing plates. I wish my two trailers had matching lug patterns. On top of that my Dad has a stock trailer with an even different lug pattern.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I packed my bearings yesterday that's how I discovered the second axle had backing plates. I wish my two trailers had matching lug patterns. On top of that my Dad has a stock trailer with an even different lug pattern.

Those are not backing plates if you are referring to the square tabs with 4 holes. They are brake mounting flanges. Backing plates hold the shoes, springs, and magnets.

Not trying to be a know it all. Just trying to help you order the proper things using the correct terms so there is no confusion.

Chris

 

[buck12]

Those are not backing plates if you are referring to the square tabs with 4 holes. They are brake mounting flanges. Backing plates hold the shoes, springs, and magnets.

Not trying to be a know it all. Just trying to help you order the proper things using the correct terms so there is no confusion.

Chris

You are right. Wrong term on my part. Until yesterday I didn't know that the second axle had the flanges. I had assumed I would have to have flanges welded on to add brakes to the second axle and was pleasantly surprised find the flanges.

One question I assume I will just tie the wires coming out of the backing plates on the second axle into the wires coming out the backing plates on the axle with brakes.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yes. Way we do it is secure 1/2" conduit with hose clamps to the axle tube then fish the wire across. I like to run the main wire from the tongue to the drivers side then across to the passengers side.

Just be sure your existing wire is 12ga to carry the extra current or you will have to re run it all. If the distance from the tongue to the first brake is 15' or less you can get away with 14ga.

Chris

 

[buck12]

Yes. Way we do it is secure 1/2" conduit with hose clamps to the axle tube then fish the wire across. I like to run the main wire from the tongue to the drivers side then across to the passengers side.

Just be sure your existing wire is 12ga to carry the extra current or you will have to re run it all. If the distance from the tongue to the first brake is 15' or less you can get away with 14ga.

Chris

It is less than 15' and the wires are on the drivers side. I don't like how the wires are run in that the manufacturer cut holes in the cross members but did not use grommets. At some point I am sure I will have problems. I will have to check the gauge of the wire.

 

[Diamondpilot]

It is less than 15' and the wires are on the drivers side. I don't like how the wires are run in that the manufacturer cut holes in the cross members but did not use grommets. At some point I am sure I will have problems. I will have to check the gauge of the wire.

Just get you some cheap grey plastic conduit and re run it. Thats what we do. Its cheap and can be bent to about any shape with some heat from a torch.

Chris

 

[sklunk]

I packed my bearings yesterday that's how I discovered the second axle had backing plates. I wish my two trailers had matching lug patterns. On top of that my Dad has a stock trailer with an even different lug pattern.

Here's a thought:

When you buy the parts to add brakes you have to get new hubs/drums. If you can find some wheels that match the bolt pattern of the current axle with brakes then you can order the new hubs for the second axle with the same bolt pattern. Then all 4 of your wheels would have the same bolt pattern (I just ordered from R and P recently and Paul can supply drums with any bolt pattern that you need).