Elactric brakes

[ex m38a1er]

Hello all..
i'm using an axle with drum brakes to built my trailer
With my tow rig being a TJ i'd like to have electric brakes for the trailer.
How can this be done?

 

[Piet]

Gonna need more information.
What is the axle from? a vehicle?

If it has Hydraulic brakes... your cheapest bet would be to use a HYDRAULIC SURGE TRAILER BRAKE ACTUATOR.

http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.catalog&categoryID=150

This operates on a slightly different prinicpal than electric brakes... but would be cheaper than transforming hydraulic brakes to electric. For more discussion, you can read:
http://www.brake-controller.com/brake_controller/electric_and_hydraulic_brakes.html
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=185354

 

[Mr. Leary]

Yes.

Hydraulic lines or wires?

Wires will need a 7 prong connection and a brake controller wired into the truck.

IMO, surge brakes are not very good for the off camber stuff we encounter off road.

 

[ex m38a1er]

This is the axle(hydraulic brakes and cable hand brake)

This is the coupler

And this is the project.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22846

 

[Piet]

There is alot of opinion on Electric vs. Hydraulic brakes.
What are you planning on using the trailer for? (Realistically... not wishfully)


Electric PRO's

• Does not engage in reverse.
• Can engage from tow vehicle at any time (override)

Hyraulic PRO's

• Braking is proportional to inertia (Not Timed increase)
• No wiring to fail, can hook up to any vehicle

But since it looks like you have all the parts already.... use what you have. Looks Fine!

FYI: Hooking up the Emergency brake is a very good idea. Put a e-brake handle on the front of the trailer.

 

[ex m38a1er]

Well, since my tow rig is a SWB and a 4cyl. i'd like to be able to upgrade if
need arise.
Normally my trailer won't be heavy enough to need the brakes,but it's the all
combo(wife,2 kids,a 35lbs dog ,ect)...
It will be towed through paved streets,fire roads and some tight dirt roads...
Another point is, that on the island that i live ,to go from north to south i have to climd up to 3000-4000ft and down ,in sometimes ,up to 40 degrees Celcius temp.
Hydraulic sounds good ,but what about reverse?
I;m gonna have to get of the vehicle and disengage it somehow right?

 

[Martyn]

It's a strange combination. The tongue is set up with a mechanical override coupler and the axle is set up for hydraulic brakes.

You could use an electric/hydraulic brake actuator to get the system to work.

Mechanical override couplers are usually set up for reversing either with a mechanical lock out that stops the coupler from compressing, and therefore not activating the brakes (old school). Or by having cams inside the brake housing that rotate when the wheels turn backwards allowing the brake shoes to move away from the drum.

 

[ex m38a1er]

Thank you for your respond!
Have you noticed the e-brake cables?
Can i use these in combination with the mechanical override coupler?