Disk Brake Installation.

E

edgutgesell

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 18, 2004
Messages
144
I currently have a tandom wheel trailer with drum brakes. I replaced the 4 brake assemblies three years ago and since my boat is used in salt water, the brake assemblies are really starting to corrode. I am going to replace the drum assemblies with disk brakes soon. I am planning to purchase Kodiak disk assemblies. My boat is a 4500 lb Wellcraft. My question is:

Is it an absolute requirment that I replace the 4 drum brake assemblies with 4 disk brake assemblies? Can I get away with having 2 heavy duty or larger disk brake assemblies on one axle? If so, which axle, front or rear? There is an equalizer between the front and rear springs.

I ran this boat and trailer without any brakes for about a month and my truck brakes were more than able to stop truck, boat, and trailer very quickly.

Geek
 
S

shepster

Cadet
Joined
Oct 30, 2008
Messages
25
Re: Disk Brake Installation.

I just got rid of a Venture trailer that only had brakes on the front axle. I towed a 23' Maxum, 5000+lbs, and it did just fine for stopping. Always did inspections and flushed. If you opt for just one set they have to go on the front axle. Just like a car the fonts do 70% of the braking. You can always add the second axle later if money is an issue.
 
dingbat

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,313
Re: Disk Brake Installation.

My trailer is similar in weight to yours and I only have 1 set of Kodiaks on it. My tow vehicle has 4 wheel disks that provide pretty decent braking but certainly not enough for every day usage.

I had to lock them up last week and the axle with the brakes skidded so hard that the tires actually smoked. Not good for the tires and provided very little braking power to the situation. Most likely going to add a second set of brakes next Spring.

If you opt for just one set they have to go on the front axle. Just like a car the fonts do 70% of the braking. You can always add the second axle later if money is an issue.
Click to expand...

With a spring suspension system, the rotational torque applied to axles during braking shifts the equalizer and applies more weight to the rear axle.

Therefore when only one brake axle is being installed on a tandem axle trailer, it is advisable to have brakes on the rear axle for maximum system performance. If brakes are installed on the front axle, the wheels may skid during braking.
 
M

mikeneal

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 28, 2004
Messages
710
Re: Disk Brake Installation.

I have 4500# boat with tandem Kodiak disks. Trailer came with single set of brakes about a year added a second set. It is the law in FLA that all axles must have brakes if the trailer is over 3000#. I can tell you my opinion since I owned it both ways, under "normal" braking the single set stopped fine,but under hard braking the double set stops way better. My opinion is brakes are cheap and accidents are not so I always have lots of good brakes.
 
E

edgutgesell

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 18, 2004
Messages
144
Re: Disk Brake Installation.

Thanks for the replies. It looks like all 4 wheels for me!

Geek
 
R

reely hooked

Recruit
Joined
Sep 11, 2013
Messages
2
Re: Disk Brake Installation.

Check your state laws. Some states, including Pennsylvania, require brakes on all wheels, not just the front ones.
 
bruceb58

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,581
Re: Disk Brake Installation.

5 1/2 year old thread brought back to life. Is this a record?
 
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