converting non brake axle to a brake axle

[schmism]

Just brought home my new 20' equipment trailer (pics to come tomorrow)

Wondering if i can just bolt on a kit to the second axle to turn it into a braking axle.

Can a backing plate and drum just be bolted on to a non-braked axle?

anyone done this?

 

[kennyd]

I have done it on my single axle tralier, it has a Dexter axle so the backing plates are already welded to the axle. Just bought the brake assembly, bolted it on and wired it up. VERY easy job.

 

[Skyco]

First job is find out what brand of axles you have...


here is what Dexter Axle has to say-
BRAKES - Can brakes be added to an idler axle?
Adding brakes to an idler axle is relatively easy if the idler axle is equipped with the brake mounting flanges (the plate to which the brake is bolted). About half of the trailer manufacturers decide not to put the flanges on their idler axles to reduce their cost. If the axle does have flanges, you need both a RH and a LH brake assembly as well as two hub and drums to replace the plain hubs currently on the axle. If the axle is not equipped with flanges, you will need to purchase a new axle beam with brake flanges attached by Dexter Axle.

 

[Diamondpilot]

As long as it has the flange welded on yes, you can just bolt it on and wire it up. Like others said just figure out what size, 3,500# axle, and what brand and order. This guy is the cheapest and will give you great advise and good products.

R and P Carriages Trailer Sales, Service, Parts and Rentals

I order from them a few times a year. He can get the stuff to my door cheaper then I can buy it locally or though my contacts in the business.

Chris

 

[sklunk]

There was some discussion about this before. Here is a link to a good tutorial (from R and P Carriages that Diamondpilot mentions above):
installing electric brakes on your trailer

 

[schmism]

axles are 5200lb 6 bolt axles.

are axles stamped with brands or something..... how does one find out what brand of axle one has... (other than some paper sticker that faded and wore off long ago)

 

[Diamondpilot]

Call the guys at the link I gave you. 90% of all axles are set on the same dimensions. He will give you that info and you can go measure then call him back and order. You will have to remove a wheel and measure from the brake flange to the hub face. Also the bolt pattern on the brake flange. Most are 4 bolt.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

One other suggestion is to take off the wheel on the axle with the brakes. Get all the info off that wheel's brake assembly and call them. You will also need to know the lug pattern and spacing of the trailer. Most 6 lug 5,200# axles are the same but measure anyway going across the hub from center of the stud to center of the stud. The common is 6 lug on 5.5"

Chris

 

[schmism]

so if you were an axle... and you looked like this....

what would you be?











so never having had a dual axle trailer with brakes before....

the magnet on the bottom is a wear item? LIke replace it with the shoes? every other time? when its worn? it wears faster than the shoes?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Well your in luck because your tag axle has brake flanges. As for the shoes and magnets only replace when necessary. Magnet is always at the 6 o-clock. They last a long time. To check the magnet put 12 volts to it, you can pull the brake-away cable if equipped, and see if it will hold a hammer.

Chris