Adding Brakes to a Single Axle Trailer

[gmdattilo]

Has anyone added brakes to a trailer that has no factory brakes?

I have an Eagle single axle trailer that was built with no brakes. The axle does have the four hole flanges for the mounting of brake backing plates or calipers.

My problem is that the existing coupler is welded to the trailer tongue. I purchased a Tie Down Engineering brake kit for the trailer but I'm a little resistant to start cutting on the tongue to remove the existing coupler. My plan is to use a 7 in grinder to cut the welds but if anyone can offer any advice it would be greatly appreciated.

[GoBig]

Talk to bchelsey. He did a single axle to tandem conversion earlier this year. Not sure if he did anything with the brakes, but would probably have some good info...

[DanielC]

This will be a little harsh, but if you are asking questions on how to cut the old coupler off, I would question your ability to weld the new one back on. This is one weld joint you do not want to fail while driving down the highway at whatever legal speed is in your state.
I also have an Eagle trailer sitting under a Hydrodyne twin rig hull that is a long term project. When I get to that point I need to get the brakes on the trailer, I will be taking it to Ryan Trailers shop in Estacada, Oregon.
I am either taking the boat off the trailer, or towing it with a 3/4 ton F-250 ford pickup, that will not have any trouble stopping the trailer and boat.

[gmdattilo]

Surge Brake Coupler Bolts On

I'm not too concerned about reattaching the coupler to the trailer since the new one specifically states that it should be Bolted to the tongue. The instructions actually say Do Not Weld.

I was hoping someone had cut a coupler off before and might have some lessons learned.

[larryb]

I did the conversion a few years ago on a trailer. I used a skill saw with an abrasive blade to cut off the tongue. It took a while and wore down the whole blade, but it did work. The conversion wasn't that difficult and made a huge difference in stopping power.

You didn't ask, but I'd recommend disk brakes. I've had both, the drums trap water and corrode the insides very quickly. The disks take much less maintenance.

Larry

[gmdattilo]

Brakes are Installed and they are GREAT

I installed my Tie Down Engineering Disc brake kit this past weekend. I got the whole 9.6" kit for about $350. Aside from three 1/2" X 4 bolts, nuts and washers, the kit had everything I needed.

I ended up cutting the coupler off using some abrasive discs on a 4 inch grinder. I talked to some boiler makers at work and they recommened using 1/8" thick cutoff discs. The boiler makers use these discs to cut damaged tubes out of boilers. The discs look like a big Dremel cutoff wheel. You can get them at a hardware store.

It worked like a charm, I had the coupler cut off in 15 mins without damaging the trailer tounge. I used about 1 and a half wheels to finsh the job. Once I finished cutting the coupler off I used a regular grinding wheel to remove the left over weld material.

[DanielC]

Glad to hear it went well. After it is painted and pretty, can you post some pictures?