Trailer

[MF294-4]

Son is looking at a 83 model gooseneck grain trailer. Biggest catch is it has hyd brakes that are not hooked up. Owner says it originally had a vacuum over hyd system. What would be the solution to get brakes to work other than new axles with electric brakes?

 

[Steve@Advance]

Wouldn't think you would have to change the axles to add electric brakes. You can buy the kits which come with back plates and drums.

Getting the hydraulics working could get expensive depending on how long it's been exposed to the elements.

That's the problem with hydraulic brakes on a trailer, they sit and leak and don't work when you need them.

 

[SDE]

I bought a trailer that had bad hydraulic brakes. For the same money, I changed it over to electric. Four backing plates and a battery backup. I had to drill two new mount holes in each of the new plates, but the other two holes lined up.
Fairly easy.
SDE

 

[jon f mn]

You should be able to convert it to electric brakes by just changing the backing plate depending on the axle brand. If the hydraulic brakesbare not working you would likely need to replace them anyway to get them working then buy an actuator as well. You will save a ton by changing to electric.

 

[Dusty MI]

have a friend that has a goose neck stock trailer that has electric over hydraulic brakes.
If I remember right he said that the trailer before had straight electric, and they gave a lot of problems because of muddy barn yards.

Dusty

 

[Steve-Maine]

I just bought new electric brakes for my 8 wheel equipment trailer. On E-bay about $35 per wheel complete with backing plates and all. Were made in China but very good quality. Good luck.

 

[Anonymous-0]

(quoted from post at 12:14:22 07/08/15) I just bought new electric brakes for my 8 wheel equipment trailer. On E-bay about $35 per wheel complete with backing plates and all. Were made in China but very good quality. Good luck.

What!? Quality from China!? You gotta be pullin' my leg man......Everybody here knows that China makes crap, c'mon already. :wink:

 

[Mikein Ky]

I had one of those. Don't change it to electric brakes. You can go to a trailer dealer and buy an electric box that goes on the tongue and operates the hydraulic brakes. That is a lot better than electric brakes. Your electric brake controller operates it and they work good. It is a pump that pressurizes the brake lines. they were about $5 - 600.00

 

[JD Seller]

I bought a new trailer last year. I ordered it with electric over hydraulic brakes. It is by far the best stopping trailer I have ever owned. It also is easy to adjust the braking force so you stop but do not lock the tires up.

So I would try to get the hydraulic brakes fixed and install a electric over hydraulic unit on it.