Electric Trailer Brakes (Where to buy)

[low6fow]

So I bought a trailer a few months back with the thought of moving from Phila Pa to Chattanooga Tenn, its 25', swing doors. Paid $3000. It’s pretty rough, lots of dents, and replaced sheet metal. The J.O. who sold it assured me everything would be in working order, so I took the drive to Beltsville Md, on a Thursday night (because he all of the sudden just had to get rid of it). Tires are junk and the brakes weren’t working, so I pulled the hubs off to find the brakes didn’t even have shoe material left. And the magnets had ground into the inside of the drums. It is my understanding of how these work, that the magnet actually hits the drum inside face, and pull the cantilever, and that is how the shoes engage? So if my drums face is destroyed, that means I need to replace all the e-brake assys, and drums. The best i have found is on eBay a guy sells the brake and drum in pairs for $133+35 shipping. Anyone know where I can find anything cheaper?

[jimmyv13]

This might help:

Trailer Brakes | etrailer.com

[jesilvas]

You need to do some reading, like the link jimmy gave.
But yes, you're correct in how they work.
I'd replace it all. The brake back place (which is new pads, magnets, everything), and the hub/drum assembly (new bearings and races in it too.)
That way it's all brand new and correctly working. Go to a trailer place, they'll have the correct things for you.
Don't trust ebay if you don't know what you need.

[low6fow]

yeah I have been on etrailer. just wanted to have a sanity check on just how they work. and hoping someone knew a better place to get cheaper stuff. thanks guys!

[jimmyv13]

Do you have any local RV or trailer shops near you? If you compare prices, you may find etrailer is pretty good about prices as long as you can wait for the shipping.

[jesilvas]

Online is usually cheaper since you cut out some of the middle ppl.
Our RV shop/store carries a few back plates and hub/drums. If we're out, we go to a trailer/farm store.