Hi Robbin, My trucker friends have told me electric is the way to go. They work the best and are adjustable.I rebuilt the brakes on my M23 Trailrite with new parts. I kept it a drum setup. Everything was bolt up and straight forward. Pioneer truck/trailer parts in Mpls had all the parts on the shelf. You can buy the complete backing plate with wheel cylinder, shoes, all assembled.I had a welding shop replace some rusted/rotted parts on the frame, as well as welding on a new Attwood coupler/master cylinder. I don't trailer far, so this has worked for me. Theo went the same route rebuilding his trailer. Bones ____________________________________________________________ Online Masters Degrees AA, BA, BS, MA, MS, PhD Programs http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4e846e1b2f1ed8aa167st02vuc