Adding trailer brakes.

[fastcatboater]

I have a quite heavy boat (dry weight 2450) sitting on a aluminium single axle trailer.(3500# rated) so loaded I am pushing it I think . But sorry I got distracted, .It has NO breaks from the factory.
I would like to add them and am wanting to go Electric.
My question is , Is there any reason this should NOT be done????

[Skeet'r89]

Electric brakes(wheel) solenoids don't last long when you back them in water all the time. Unless you have a electric solenoid that would act a plunger to a master cylinder, which would actuate a normal set of hydaulic wheel cylinders.

[cyclone70]

I put electric brakes on mine.
I have a switch that I use to turn off power to the the brake controller (turns the line to the brake pedal on/off)before backing it into the water.
I have seen posts by others that say they hold up pretty good.
We'll see in the long term.

[western angler]

You can put electric/hydralic brakes on your trailer. I would put hydralic disc brakes on the put the electric pump in the tounge of the trailer that works off of a electronic brake controller. Now that is expensive. Disc surge brakes will work just fine and a lot cheaper to install and maintain.

[fastcatboater]

Thanks everyone I got in contact with LOADMASTER trailers they told me electric is fine and does not need to even be unpluged. That the amount of water entering the drum on a launch is not much different than driveing in the rain .

[pbmang]

The problem with the electric brakes is you are going to need a brake controller in every vehicle you plan on towing with if you want the brakes to function. I would put on some surge brakes and not worry with it.

[western angler]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by boater777777 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Thanks everyone I got in contact with LOADMASTER trailers they told me electric is fine and does not need to even be unpluged. That the amount of water entering the drum on a launch is not much different than driveing in the rain .</td></tr></table>

Well if it was a good idea, I would imagine boat trailer manufactures would have put electric brakes on their trailers many years ago. I would make sure that guy just doesn't want to sell you some electric brakes.

[EasternMarine]

In fresh water there should not be any issues.

[Triton Basser]

What is going to be the charge for the brakes?

[Skeet'r89]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Gambler James &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">What is going to be the charge for the brakes?</td></tr></table>

It would have a electrically operated brake cylinder on each wheel. A variable amount of voltage would be applied according to how hard the break pedal was being pushed.