Converting a Trailer to Electric Brakes, any experience??

[Drewski Canuck]

Bought a used very heavy welded aluminum 19 foot Marathon Chinook.


It is on a an Easyloader single axle trailer with 13 inch tires??? The tires are load range C rated for 80 MPH, apparently, and I don't really trust them. Always ran Load Range D 14 or 15 inch tires on other trailers, so this may be the first change out.

Trailer has Oilbath hubs, so I am doing the bearings seals and seats just to know it is safe as there is no history on the last bearing change.

Final issue is the axle has a backing plate so I want to put on electric brakes. Bull Lake Summit with the old boat and no brakes was OK but it was a much smaller lighter boat.

I have no experience on what electric brakes survive best in a saltwater emersion, and I can see a flush kit in its future, but is there any one brand that is better than others?

Love to hear from anyone who has dealt with this.

Drewski

 

[Reel Gone]

First I would be concerned of the axle gvw as it likely has smaller hubs/ bearings if it has 13” wheels. Is it capable of the weight of your boat? Do you tow any kind of distance?
As for converting, I have done a couple of trailers with good success using Kodiac parts, I think Eastertrailer online is a good resource but I have also bought from Sherwood Marine

 

[Doubleheader]

7 years I drug a podded 20’ Hourston with a 250 zuke over that summit, it was a heavy little bastid 3500# axles with 13” rubber and no brakes. 4 low on that mountain both ways just in case. The ole LLY has a trans/engine brake though. The new (86’) 2550 tiara had surge brakes for the maiden voyage here, was nice but I lost em just before the Liener bridge. Kicking it old school on the way out today. The newer trailer has 14” rubber, I don’t recall the load rating on either tire but the axles/bearings are identical between the two trailers. Brakes are sweet if you can get em flanged up, tires I wouldn’t worry about so much as long as they aren’t dry rotted etc.