To put brakes on a traler that already has drum brake son it all i would need is and actuator correct?

brake signal comes from my truck --> brake acturator mounted on the trailer--> through the new brake line--> into the brake drums.


Thats how hydrolic brakes on a trailer works i think??? Is this what people call surge brakes?


Thanks guys

 

You have kinda lost me on this one....

The trailer already has brakes, so why are you trying to PUT brakes on it....Im sorry if I have misunderstood, but Im not following...

First off, what kind of brakes does the trailer have...If it already has electric brakes as most trailers for a 1-ton or less have, then a hydraulic actuator will be useless to you...All you need is an electric brake controller.

If you are trying to convert the electric to hydraulic, you are looking at some major expense to do this...

Im not sure if this helps at all, but you kinda lost me in the beggining....

Give me some more details, and we can try get you some advice.

 

We'll start with the simple answer. Surge brakes are nothing more than a trailer break that is activated by a spring mounted in the toungue of the trailer. As the trailer pushes on the tow vehicle it activates the brakes. Very few manufacturers have had success with these but the ones that have made them work are very nice to use.

As Longhorn said, if you trailer breaks are electric you are looking at better then a grand to convert to Hydraulic and that's being conservative. These are good for very heavy trailers that need the extra stopping force.

If you have electric brakes all you need to do is see what all is there and intact. Make sure they are wired to the electric system and have a brake controllor in your truck.

Let me know if I didn't cover something that your still looking for.