Can you add brakes to a boat trailer

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I wish my boat trailer had brakes. Stopping is a worry when your cruising down the road with a full load and some bonehead does a stupid move in front of you. Can they be added to an existing rig?

[CAMAN]

Yes you can, but first you need to determine if you have a brake flange installed onto your axle yet or not. Check between the leaf spring and hub, if there is a large plate with holes welded to it that should be your brake flange. If you don't have one you have two options, eitherwelding one on if the axle is capable of it or finding a new axle with flanges already installed. After that it's basically just a bolt on, then plumbing and wiring it and your vehicle up.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

What type should I get?

[Valv]

What kind of a boat trailer is it ? Northern Tools sells complete axles, you can check this option too, it might be easier in the long run. They also have the brake actuator if you plan to install surge brakes. Otherwise you can use electric type and buy a controller for the truck, but that will be the only vehicle you have that can tow it and have brakes.

[JohnMickish]

Several places sell complete kits, Cabelas, Northern and some web trailer parts places come to mind. It will run you $400-$500 for a complete rotor, caliper, brakeline and master cylinder kit. All of the new trailers are now hydraulic disk brakes and not electric. Electric is cheaper but they are more prone to failure due to their design.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Are those surge brakes?

[JohnMickish]

Yes, that would be surge brakes with aluminum components so they won't rust shut.

[LightningBG]

I recently needed a trailer axle (but not w/brakes). Someone one here mentioned Pioneer Axle and Rim. I ended up getting one through them. They were very helpful and the price was just as good as anyone else around.

They are located near 35W and Stinson.