Parts Needed to Convert from Surge Brakes to Electric Brakes on a Boat Trailer
Question:
Hello, I just burnt up my surge boat trailer brakes going through the Colorado mountains, downshifting down long down hills left trailer brakes still activated, and I smoked them up! Ive heard good things about electric brakes today. Can you provide me a kit to convert my current 12 surge drums to electric? Along with the surge coupled?
asked by: Terry W
Expert Reply:
It's becoming more and more common to find electric brakes on boat trailers. It's a good idea to use brakes that have corrosion resistance and to unplug the trailer from your truck whenever launching or loading the boat to help prevent any shorts.
I recommend the dacromet brake assemblies # AKEBRK-7-D. This includes both the left and right hand brakes and they're labeled to make the install easier. For the bolts and mounting hardware use # BRKH12 and you also may need the adjustment spoon # W80630 since they're manual adjust brakes.
You're going to need to wire the trailer to power the brakes. This will require to have a 7-way connector if it doesn't already have one. Use our # HS381-9000 wiring kit for a 7-way with a junction box and all the connectors you'll need. Then use 10 gauge wire # 10-2-1, which is sold by the foot, to run the wire from the junction box to the trailer's brakes.
The trailer will require a breakaway kit. The Hopkins Engager # 20099 is our most popular kit. The breakaway kit engages the trailer's brakes in the event the trailer is separated from your tow vehicle.
In order to control the trailer's brakes you must have an electric brake controller in your tow vehicle. If you don't already have one I suggest the Prodigy P3 # 90195 because of how reliable and easy to use it is. Its one of our top brake controllers. If you tell me the year, make, and model of your tow vehicle I'll see if we have a custom harness to install the controller. And also anything else that may be necessary.
I've linked some videos on the products I've recommended for you to take a look at.
Products Referenced in This Question
Deka Jacketed 2 Wire, 10 Gauge, Brake Wire - per Foot
- Wiring
- Wire
- Jacketed Wire
- 2 Wire
- 10 Gauge
- Deka
more information >
Hopkins Engager Trailer Breakaway Kit w/ Charger, LED Tester, and 5 Ah Battery - Side Load
- Trailer Breakaway Kit
- Kit with Charger
- Side Load
- Single-axle
- Tandem-axle
- LED Tester
- Hopkins
more information >
Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional
- Trailer Brake Controller
- Proportional Controller
- Electric
- Electric over Hydraulic
- Automatic Leveling
- Under-Dash Box
- Dash Mount
- Up to 4 Axles
- LCD Display
- Up to 360 Degrees
- Tekonsha
more information >
Mounting Bolts and Hardware for 12" Brake Assemblies
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brakes
- Electric Drum Brakes
- Hydraulic Drum Brakes
- Hardware
- 12 Inch
- Bolts
- ABS Fasteners
more information >
Wiring Kit for Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic Actuators
- Accessories and Parts
- Brake Actuator
- Disc Brakes
- Hydraulic Drum Brakes
- Wiring
- Hydrastar
more information >
Brake Adjustment Spoon for Drum Brakes
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brakes
- Hydraulic Drum Brakes
- Adjuster
- Brake Adjuster Tool
- Performance Tool
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
etrailer Rust-Resistant Electric Trailer Brakes - Dacromet - 12" - Left/Right Hand - 5.2K to 7K
- Trailer Brakes
- Electric Drum Brakes
- Standard Grade
- Manual Adjust
- 12 x 2 Inch Drum
- 5200 lbs Axle
- 6000 lbs Axle
- 7000 lbs Axle
- 14-1/2 Inch Wheel
- 15 Inch Wheel
- 16 Inch Wheel
- etrailer
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
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