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.

 

[SpringVelocity]

My experience right now is I despise electric disc brakes. 3 year Roadrunner trailer and already having issue with brakes. Tonight had a lockout issue backing up which pissed me off.

I should have listened to the guys posting about electric over hydraulic. seems the way to go. Going to look at upgrading and see costs.

 

[SpringVelocity]

My experience right now is I despise electric disc brakes. 3 year Roadrunner trailer and already having issue with brakes. Tonight had a lockout issue backing up which pissed me off.

I should have listened to the guys posting about electric over hydraulic. seems the way to go. Going to look at upgrading and see costs.

Just had to replace a seized caliper on disc brakes yesterday with new pads.

These electric disc brakes are POS in my opinion that came with trailer. Its crazy my EZ loader trailer wasn't as much trouble as this roadrunner one.

Does anyone have long term experience running the Kodiak ones. Looking to hear from people that do a lot of saltwater launching.