RE: Anyone here install your own electric brakes?

[CathyAnn]

 
Our  02 Skamper didn t come with brakes, and we re looking to add it ourselves.
 
 Anyone have any advice?  Cost estimates?
 
 Anything will be helpful.
 Thanks  
 CathyAnn

[popupcop]

 CathyAnn
No.  We paid our dealer to add  brakes to the PU a couple of years ago.  It was right at $400.00 and buying the controller and having it wired was another $150.  Incidentally, we had the controller wired using a 4-flat plug so we can plug it in when we need it and store it inside when we are not pulling the PU.

[mike4947]

 CathyAnn
Crawl under and look for the name plate on the axle if it s Dexter just go to their website and pick out what you need. Several folks have had really good luck with the Dexter folks about installing brakes on PU axles. They ll even tell you what to look for on your axle to see it it s flanged for brakes or not.

[Ab Diver]

 CathyAnn
CathyAnn,  what is under your trailer right now---12" -  4 lug wheels, or 13" - 5 lug wheels? That will determine weather you can add 7 inch or 10 inch brakes. 10"  brakes are great, 7"  brakes work just a little better than dragging your feet Flintstone style.
 
 If your axle has a square plate with four holes drilled in it, just inboard of the wheel, you should be all set to add brakes. What type of axle do you have: leaf spring, or torsion?
 
 For 10"  brakes, the cost of the whole backing plate, shoes, and magnet in a pre-assembled unit goes for *about* $55 per wheel, and I m guessing *about* $60 per drum. Add new bearings, if needed, *about* $35 for both wheels. That should be all you need for the axle. If you can t find a price close to that, consider buying a whole new axle from Dexter. Others have mentioned something in the range of $300 bucks for the whole shebang (leaf spring style, complete with brakes), direct from Dexter. Dunno what a new torsion-style axle would cost. Dexter has always played straight with me, can t say enough good things about them. Locate your nearest Dealer from their web site, and give  em a call.
 
 (Soapbox mode on) Make sure you get an inertial-style brake controller. Don t be fooled into buying a time-based brake controller. Yes, there is a difference. I ve used both types, and will NEVER go back to a time based controller again. I previously had a time-based Draw-Tite Activator II. It s gathering dust in the garage right now. The inertial style controller I now use is listed in my sig line. Your family s safety is worth the extra bucks for a better brake controller. (soapbox mode off)
 
 What are you towing with? If you are towing a 1500 lbs. Skamper with a Ford F-350 Crew-cab Dually, brakes won t be as critical as if you re towing with a mini-van and your pop-up weighs 3000+ lbs. Still a good idea, just not as critical.

[CathyAnn]

 CathyAnn
Thanks Everyone []
 
 We re pulling our Skamper with our minivan.  Sometimes we d forget the camper was even back there, until some fool would cut us off on the highway.  That s some scary stuff when the van wants to stop and the camper does not.  Too darn many a$$hole drives here in the Lone Star State! [:@]
 
 Looks like Rob s going to need a new axle, cheaper to buy as a complete set.
 
 Any advice on the Prodigy brake-controllers?
 
 CathyAnn

[Gone-Camping]

 CathyAnn
Northern Tools have electric brake kits available....
 
 [link=http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=4006970&storeId=6970&productId=31958&langId=-1]7"  Drum Brakes[/link]
 
 [link=http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=4006970&storeId=6970&productId=7768&langId=-1]10"  Drum[/link] (according to website these are 7"  but printed catalog shows this item as 10" )
 
 [link=http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=4006970&storeId=6970&productId=31957&langId=-1]7"  Drum & hub set[/link]
 
 [link=http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=4006970&storeId=6970&productId=13477&langId=-1]10"  Hub & drum set[/link]
 
 I don t know if this helps you or not, but it ll give you an idea of the prices, not too many places can beat Northern Tools prices since they buy the stuff in huge quantities.... Good luck!