I am thinking about adding brakes to my boat trailer (18' Procraft Fish & Ski). How hard and expensive is it to add. I don't think I have anything prewired in my 2000 explorer, it didn't come with tow package. I have been looking at some of the videos on YouTube and it doesn't look terribly difficult. Or I could get someone to install if that's not too much more expensive.

Would most Boat service centers do that? I live in Keller (North of Fort Worth) any suggestions on someone close?

I have realized several times how hard it is to stop. I have already had one rear end collision and I don't want another.

Any experience or advise would be appreciated.

Stan

Theres 2 kinds electric and surge all of its bolt on, I`m assuming ur asking about tandem axle trailer and no not hard if ur a so so wrench and have tools ... Bill

If your adding surge it could be expensive, if your talking electric you need to talk to a brake shop and make sure that when you submerge the brake in water that it won't blow the fuses. Electricity & water are not friends.

Almost all boat trailers are surge brakes.

UFP makes a good actuator that I believe most boat trailer manufacturers use.
Actuator.
Brake assembly.

You can find kits around and I'd have the tongue actuator welded on. Check your trailer to see if just inside the hubs you have square brackets on your axle. If not you will either have to take it and have the brackets welded on or buy a new axle with these brake mounting brackets.

Yep that`s gonna get expensive,time to trade in an get a full size Ford C/C p/u... Bill

http://www.pacifictrailers.com/trailer-buddy-parts-complete-kits/
http://www.pacifictrailers.com/UFP-A-60-Brake-Actuator-Replacement-Parts-for-Disc-Drum-brakes/

Here you go. The A-60 actuator and one of the brake kits (239 or 264) should give you the two main ingedients for start at parts. I think you'll want a 50 dollar solenoid to bypass the system for backing and brake lines, etc etc.

About 550 in parts and you may need a new axle or pay to have the mounting flanges installed on your axle.

There are several trailer manufacturers around the area that could put their own system on. I'd look up one of them. I had several things done to a boat trailer about 15 years ago. They took the trailer apart to make it 4 inches narrower. They installed the brakes and a detachable tongue. All in all about 800 dollars for what would now surely cost much more.