Brakes

[parnold]

If you do get a HF trailer where can you get brakes for it and do you have to replace the hubs only or the whole axle and hubs?

To install brakes, you need a flange on the axle, which the HF axle does not have. I have read that you can purchase the flange and have it welded on, then bolt the brakes to that. I saw it somewhere here....

[eamarquardt]

The backing plate would have to be welded on pretty accurately for the brake drum and brake assembly to be concentric and function properly. You'll have to replace just about everything except the bare axle. A bare alxe would probably be cheaper than having the backing plates fabricated, a jig fabricated to hold it in place while welding, and having it welded. You might be able to bolt the backing plate on the brake assembly, adjust the shoes out to hold the assembly to the drum (with the drum installed on the axle) and then weld it together. All told I think just getting a proper axle in the first place that has been put together at a factory set up to do it accurately is the way to go.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[parnold]

From what Gus says, if your planning on brakes, it's probably better to look at a trailer other than the HF.

I will have to do a lot of research before starting tear two, as I plan on a little bigger, and will want brakes on it.

[madjack]

.................................. where can you get brakes for it.............................................

...esssentially you can't...you would need to get a whole new axle w/brake setup...............

[eamarquardt]

.................................. where can you get brakes for it.............................................

...esssentially you can't...you would need to get a whole new axle w/brake setup............... 8)

My sainted mother used to say: "Where there is a will, there is a way". However, it's just not "cost effective".

That is what I've been trying to communicate. Most of us should have brakes on our trailers. With a HF trailer, you gotta replace a whole bunch of stuff to install brakes and I think one would be better off starting with a trailer that meets all of your needs from the get go than trying to modify a HF trailer to do the job and "throwing away, arguably, the most expensive parts of the HF kit. If you're towing a HF trailer with a vehicle that can stop in a reasonable distance (per Texas law, and I would expect that other states have similar requirements) then a HF trailer is a reasonable alternative. If you are using a "pregnant roller skate" I'd choose something else.

Cheers,

Gus

[asianflava]

I'm just shaking my head and not posting anything else.

[Shadow Catcher]

Just a quick search for utility trailer with brakes turned up.
http://www.utilitytrailerkit.com looks like better price and customizable. They do not supply the steel.

[Larwyn]

Just a quick search for utility trailer with brakes turned up.
http://www.utilitytrailerkit.com looks like better price and customizable. They do not supply the steel.

I notice that the kits which they offer that include brakes start out at 3,500 pounds capacity. That might be a bit harsh for a TD suspension.

There is no info as to whether or not their 1500 or 2000 pound capacity axles have the necessary mounting flange for the backing plate of a brake kit. Also brakes are not listed among the options for their 1500 or 2000 pound capacity trailer kits.

If I were preparing to build a 900 pound (dry) trailer and planning to install brakes to tow behind my wife's PT Cruiser, I do not see enough information at that sight to order anything with confidence. There is no indication that the 2000 pound capacity axle is not identical to the one which came with my 1800 pound capacity Harbor Freight trailer.

That is a nice site for someone building their own trailer, but might fall a bit short for a person building a lightweight teardrop camping trailer, if the plan calls for brakes.

[eamarquardt]

I do not see enough information at that sight to order anything with confidence.

I bought all my running gear including lights from these folks. I called them on the phone (got it from their web site), the fellow was very helpful, put together a package just for me, and gave me about 10 to 15% off of list price.

The stuff was shipped very quickly. They screwed up the order and didn't include the brakes and sent regular lights versus the LED lights I ordered. They corrected the order quickly, sent me the "right stuff" right away, and didn't ask me to return the idler hubs, bearings, and tail lights. So, in the event of an emergency, I have spare hubs (but no brakes) and bearings.

Maybe they're not perfect but they were easy to deal with and when there was a problem they provided "superior customer service".

There you have it again, "The World According to Gus".

Hope this proves helpful.

Cheers,

Gus

[Larwyn]

Okay, nothing against the seller. It just appeared to me that, based on the information on the linked page, the 3,500 pound rated trailer kit is the lightest duty one they offer with an electric brake option. Thus making their kits less attractive to someone building a lightweight trailer. I seldom actually buy anything over the internet if I can find it within reasonable driving distance.

[asianflava]

I seldom actually buy anything over the internet if I can find it within reasonable driving distance.

Reasonable driving distance is different in TX.

[artwebb]

Just a quick search for utility trailer with brakes turned up.
http://www.utilitytrailerkit.com looks like better price and customizable. They do not supply the steel.

I'm curious how $259 is a better price when the kit does not include steel. I don't know that much about steel prices, but it seems to me once you buy the steel and (in my case) pay someone else to weld it up, I'd be beyond the price of a HF, although I guess I could just buy hardware and bolt it together. (Again at my expense)
Also that kit does not include a braked axle, so aside from the fact I could chose to build it from heavier steel than a HF, how is it better in terms of brakes vs no brake?
How much extra for brakes? Maybe we should compare apples to apples? How much would a basic 'kit' from this company cost with brakes cost, including steel, hardware to bolt it together, shipping charges, all necessary wiring, lights, etc.?

[Larwyn]

I seldom actually buy anything over the internet if I can find it within reasonable driving distance.

Reasonable driving distance is different in TX.

That's, for sure......

[eamarquardt]

I seldom actually buy anything over the internet if I can find it within reasonable driving distance.

I hate to drive if I can avoid it because bouncing in a car is one of the many triggers for the neuropathic pain that I experience. With the cost of gasoline today, the fact that one can get away w/o paying sales tax (don't tell the Calif Government), often times even when you factor in the cost of shipping it is cheaper than driving and paying the sales tax. I often buy stuff from WW Graingers which has a location about 16 miles away. The last time I ordered from them the shipping was $5. My order arrived at my doorstep in 4 hours! It was great. If there is a problem, and you've paid by credit card, you have leverage over any vendor to "make it right".

These are exciting times. With the net, if it exists, you can find it. Putting a Subaru engine in a VW bug. Needed a u shaped fitting to relocate the throttle body so it didn't run into the firewall. Found a place in the UK (the only place that has such a fitting), communicated via email, paid via paypal, and the fitting is in the mail. COOOOOOOOOOL.

Sometimes, life is good!

Cheers,

Gus

[eamarquardt]

Well then folks. I must be dumb becuase that is exactly what I did.

Yer knot dum! You used all that you purchased one way or another, you got a great deal on an axle with brakes, and you have brakes on your trailer. All I'm saying is there is more than one way to skin a cat and people ought to consider all the factors before plunking down money for anything. I hate admiring my cool paint job from the corner I've just painted myself into.

Buy the way, I often compose my thoughts in MS word, use the program to spell check and correct my grammer, and then post what has been corrected into the forum reply box. My corrected and posted spelling and grammer is a lot better than what comes out of me directly. That way I don't seem nearly as dumb as I really am.

Cheers,

Gus