trailer brake questions

[Dave Casey]

Ready to service my 2002 gold rush trailer brakes. They are 8 lug, dexter, 12 x 2 electric brakes. The wire to the magnets are 1 white and 1 white w/ blk tracer.

There are 2 types of 12 x 2 brakes ,one is listed as 5200 lb with white wires on magnets and one is listed as 7000 lb with black magnet wires.

The 8 lug would indicate 7000lb setup, but the white magnet wires would indicate 5200 lb axles. I doubt these axles are 5200, but don't know how to check.

A local trailer dealer(not goldrush) said you could probably use the 7000 lb backing plate assembly on the trailer even though the magnet wire is the black type

the magnets and the shoes are a different part # and I would like to know the diff.

Any info on the identifying and or expierience with these differences is appreciated.

Thanks, Dave

[FED 387]

Go to the Dexter website they have a total breakdown of every type /rating axle they make. But before you contact them look at your axles if your trailer is newer than 2001 for an ID number. It is located on the right side of the axles about 18 inches in from the backing plate. It should be about 8-9 numbers long. When you get that number you can contact Dexter and they can suggest the correct parts you will need. Comp 387

[Dave Casey]

The trailer is a 2002 and was built in late 2001. I looked for the number on the axles and don't find anything.

The main thing that seems weird on this is the fact that 8 lug hubs would seem to be 7000 lb axles, but the white wire magnets are a 5200 lb setup

[FED 387]

Well cannot help you any more thant that suggest you call Dexter or a trailer dealer that handles Dexter axles/parts-- I see what you are saying but just to be safe better check eith Dexter they have been more than helpful in the past too # is 574-295-7888---What state/where are you located ???? comp 387

[Tom Goldman]

Dave, comp387 is correct about the #'s on the axle, but I found them on my Goldrush on the left top of the axle. .... My local NAPA store has always been able to reference the Dexter #'s .... FYI my trailer has triple 7k axles, and it came equipped with the white leads on the magnets. .....Tom.

[Darrin Christen]

Dave, I recently replaced the axles and brakes on my 1999 Champion 42' trailer. I replaced the Dexter 6000# 8 lug axles and brakes with Dexter 7000# 8 lug axles and brakes. The 6000# and the 7000# brakes are the same 12"x2" pads. I was told the only difference is the strength of the magnet. My 6000# brakes had white wires and the new 7000# brakes have black wires. The axles are also identical except for the wall thickness of the tube itself. I purchased everything from TAP, Trailer Axle Parts of Houston. Dallas Axle is also the same company. They had the best prices I could find. Hope this helps.

Darrin Christen

[Jeff Teuton]

Easy way. You can buy cheap backing plates with brakes, magnets etc. Just bolt them on and attach the wires. 8 hole axles start @ 6000. Read the tag on your trailer. I assume it is 3 axles. The gvwr on the plate or tag divided by the number of axles will be the weight per axle. I changed all six on mine last year. Stops much better now. I think I got black wires. One to the feed, one to ground, ready to race. Also turn the drums and face the magnet surface.

[ROCKETWORKS]

my axles on my classic trailer ( 5200 lb. ) had metal tags around the axles with a nunber on them ,thats all we needed to order our brake part,s.... we got our parts through redneck out of bloomington il.. dennis

ROCKETWORKS

[Dave Casey]

Thanks to all that responded, all good info, the axles are apparently before dexter put tags or numbers on them.

Thanks Dave