Parts Needed to Add Electric Brakes to 2020 Karavan Utility Trailer

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Question:

I have a 2020 Karavan utility trailer and I want to upgrade to electric brakes to reduce the wear and tare of my truck. Can you please recommend everything needed to make the upgrade.

asked by: Victor S

0

Expert Reply:

The first thing you will need to do in order to add brakes to your 2020 Karavan utility trailer is make sure you have a brake mounting flange. If you don't, you will need to take it to an axle shop and have a mounting flange installed. This will require identifying your axle. For example, if you have a 3,500 lb axle you would need the Brake Mounting Flange for 2-3/8" Round Axle # 4-35.

If you do have a brake mounting flange, or you have one installed, the next thing you will need to do is add hubs and drums. The correct hub and drum assembly will again depend on your axle capacity as well as the bearings you have. If you can't find any information on your bearings you will need to measure the inner diameter. I recommend using a digital caliper like the # PTW80157.

Once you have the bearing information you will be able to choose the correct hub and drum assembly. You will also want this to match your current wheel bolt pattern. For example, if you found that you have the typical 3,500 lb wheel bearings and need a 5 on 4-1/2 bolt pattern you could use the # AKHD-545-35-K. These would then be compatible with the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-468-469 you were looking at.

If you have a different size drum you would need to choose a brake assembly that matches. In the example I used, the hub and drum assembly works with 10" brake assemblies. This will vary depending on the capacity.

In order to add the additional wiring to your trailer you can use the Hopkins 7-Way RV Style Connector with Molded Cable # H20046 which will require you to cut off your old 4-way connector and then use the Trailer Wiring Junction Box # 3375601101 for a clean connection to your new 7-way connector. You will also need to run # 12-1-1 from the junction box to your electric trailer brakes. It is a good idea to use Heat Shrink Butt Connectors # DW05745-10 to keep the wiring sealed from the elements.

For a breakaway you can use the Hopkins Engager Push-To-Test Trailer Breakaway Kit with Built-In Battery Charger - Top Load # 20400. Then the last thing you will need is a brake controller like the # RED44FR. Depending on your vehicle there may be a custom wiring harness available to connect the brake controller.

I have attached some installation videos along with a helpful article on what you need to install electric brakes for your reference.

expert reply by: Robin H

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Spindle, Hub, Bearing and Seal Information.
(click to enlarge)

Answer 1

Since you have a brake mounting flange on your boat trailer you could pretty easily install brakes on the trailer. Most likely the mounting flange is a 4 bolt flange (all 4 bolt flanges are the same), since your trailer is most likely not too heavy…

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Answer 2

It's very common for smaller single axle trailers to have brakes installed on them already. Most likely if you look you'll find options in the size you want that are already set up with brakes. This would be the easiest and most cost…

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Answer 3

Welding a mounting flange, possible item #4-35, is a very precise installation. The flanges need to be installed square and concentric to the hub and drum assembly and each other. If the flange is installed incorrectly rapid brake lining wear,…

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Answer 4

Really the only way to tell if you have manual or self-adjusting brakes is to remove the hub and take a look inside. If you can see a cable running at an angle (see included photo), then you have self adjusting brakes like the Electric Trailer Brake…

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Answer 5

You are not wrong but at the same time you do not want trailer brakes to lock up. The brakes you have, #23-468-469, are self-adjusting but it takes some time for the shoes to extend out far enough for normal braking. This is why we recommend making…

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Answer 6

Yes, you are correct the best hitch lock to prevent rust and corrosion is the stainless steel lock. The stainless steel locks will not corrode. The Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock - Stainless Steel Flush Design, #e98882, is one of our top sellers. The…

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Answer 7

I currently have three diffrent self-adjusting assemblies for your boat trailer with 10" x 2-1/4" electric drum brakes which are attached for you below. eTrailer Electric Trailer Brake Kit part #AKEBRK-35-SA (3,500 Axles) Dexter…

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Answer 8

The Trimax Puck Lock for Trailer Door Hasps #TMX96RR cannot be keyed alike. While disappointing I'm sure, there is another option to consider, which is to order a quantity of two of the Trimax Puck Locks for Trailer Door Hasps #TMX73FR. The…

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Answer 9

The Dexter Nev-R-Adjust electric trailer brakes can be manually adjusted. There are a couple teeth of the adjustment wheel that are exposed just under the lever that you referenced. I have attached a photo showing the teeth. You will likely need a…

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Answer 10

That's a very good question, we tend to be extra cautious and say to use 10 gauge wire because that would be more than enough. When you get into longer trailers that will end up using a lot of wire the heavier gauge wire becomes more necessary.…

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Answer 11

Traditionally, trailer manufacturers did not use electric brakes on boat trailers because the brake magnet wiring and trailer wiring did not always have the best insulation or water protection. These days, more and more manufacturers are using…

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Answer 12

We recommended to repack the wheel bearings on your trailer every 12 months or 12,000 miles. There is not a specific guideline as far as actually replacing the bearings. When repacking them with grease, you will also just want to check for any damage…

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Parts Needed to Add Electric Brakes to 2020 Karavan Utility Trailer

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