Wow! That seems more than a little high to me. You might check with a general mechanic shop. The worst they can tell you is they don't work on trailers.

@tiny I have a shop that does all my everyday cars and their rate is $128.00 and they are thinking about an increase. They have been in business for about 35 years and while their rate is comparable to other shops I have found that their jobs always cost less and I have never had any problems with their work.  Unfortunately their facility is not adequate to handle a car trailer. Both he and another shop recommended the shop where I bought my trailer 25 years ago so that is where it will go on Monday for an estimate-and then I will decide if it's worth repairing.

There is a store near me that sells trailer parts. They have complete backing plates with all brake parts attached. I don't know the price, but I can't imagine them costing anywhere near the price you were quoted. Good Luck.

Mike

Not knowing which axles and brakes you have on your trailer, I can't give an accurate price. If Dexter axles/brakes many places sell replacement backing plates with an example on Ebay is:  https://www.ebay.com/itm/396667062451?_skw=dexter+trailer+brakes&itmmeta=01K1M8J1GNER9DT353FJECMMGQ&hash=item5c5b3308b3:g:vAoAAOSwaDhnyVVw&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fjQW3JVvX4ovNky8jEB53iGJ%2FchcaTWlqw23Gzz7oIff3TBIJft830Wg%2FRDWT0GhacAYhRnt8gPl7seHkTknpZoPncPLIc1EuAgPZkn8C4TpAgW%2FgcxIwGP8p2JtS%2BkE%2FPZqlLwkq5Vi0nH3NBnvPfjHncgUI02idGpsxW2WuPd6Mz99n2C4njRDinF9O1VBKv2XyUJBajypiFG6n%2BJybOpajO0ED0OzHlD1MQtF5C0KeML3SXk5ihKBMOKI8fneNKJE6l2DDz6c8Jr5glx25wFqIV8Ndr6rAsQ0fJcojxYw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR76YyIiNZg

That makes the parts less than $ 200. The labor to replace all the backing plates on two axles should be less than a couple of hours if the mechanic has any skill. So $ 500 should be in the ball park to get the job done. That includes repacking the bearings.  

@chip Thanks for the link. Those prices are similar to what I expected though I am going to guess everything is from China,. I did replace the complete assys. about 10 years ago myself and it was quick and easy but at 80 yrs old I was hoping not to have to do it. Thanks for the replies .

@steve-d  Steve, You could still buy the backing plate assemblies and take them to the shop. At least then you could only get screwed on the labor.

Mike

@35mike I don't think they would appreciate that. My hope is that there is a wiring/electrical issue  and that I would let them repair.    I  have had the drum/hub assy's off and all looks good. One brake had a wire pulled out of the terminal on the ground wire and I repaired it. Test drove and only that brake worked . I jacked the trailer up and put a spring clamp on the dash controller set to 10 and there was no drag/activation on the other wheels so somewhere there is definitely an electrical problem . When I followed Chips link I found on Ebay complete brake assys with hubs,brgs. seals.and wheel nuts for about $ 125.00 frt prepaid from TX for a pair. For that price I would not mind changing them myself but would hate to do that just to find i have a ground or other electrical  problem. My skills on electrics are very limited and the trailer shop has the right tools to quickly test the system. If the price is reasonable I will have them repair it but if not I will at least know what the issue is.

I always dread working on electrical stuff. When I finally make myself do it, it is never as bad as I anticipated. Good luck.

Mike

A simple icepick tester should tell you if the hot wire is broken or you have a bad ground.  I've had wires pinched between the frame and leaf springs before and had wires pulled out of the 3-way splice terminals...both are easy fixes.

Mike B  🙂

Update- Took the trailer in last Monday and a quick check showed the tow vehicle was OK but issues with the trailer. When I brought it in on last Monday they advised they would do an inspection and estimate that day and could possibly repair the next day. Well that did not happen and today one week later they finally did the inspection and estimate . They determined it needed all new brake assy's. and wiring repair for a total of $1650.00. Needless to say that is not happening . When i went to pick it up it was still in the shop on a lift with all wheels and drums/hubs removed and i got to spend some time with the mechanic and was pleased to get a full report of the inspection which included the suspension-any rust issues-and tire condition. The cost was #95.00  . The above estimate did not include rewiring which the mechanic suggested and a caution note for the tires which are going on 12 years old but still appear good. I will probably replace the brake assys myself and have a friend help with the wiring and hopefully get a couple more years out of it. 

I suggest that you consider getting a new set of tires. I've heard that radial tires need to be changed after around 7 years (regardless of how much tread is left) because the steel belting inside the tires start to rot (rust) and that is a safety issue.

I'm no expert, so you might want to research this.

Dean

I am aware of the issue. The current tires replaced ones that were 15 years old. 

All brakes replaced with self adjusting new assemblies for $124.00. New trailer cord and junction box $35.00. Complete suspension kit on the way-$262.00. That's a long way from $1650.00 for just brakes.