Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

[capslock118]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

Just realize that the thing that corrodes the most is the disc itself and it doesn't matter what coating you buy, unless its stainless, the disc is bare metal and will corrode.

Another good point, and like you said breaks are cheap. If the cheap breaks wear quickly it's easier to drop them and buy kodiak pads or whever the better brand is at that time.

But the equipment that make the breaks work is important. Calipers, break lines, actuator, rotor - all for $339. If the quality is fair then good.

One other point to consider is that the trailer is used abour 4 times a year to haul the boat no more than 10 miles for each trip.

 

[Daleg70]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

I had Tie-Down -- there were problems

I went to Kodiak --I have had them in salt water with heavy use for about six years. Just bought new rotors for them last year.

Mine are stainless calipers and S-Cad rotors.

Good product.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

You'll hear nothing but horror stories about Tie Down brakes and they're all true. Kodiaks are the long term deal. Mine have weorked perfectly for th past two years now.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

I would never replace brakes with breaks.

No offense, but it sounds like you don't have a lot of mechanical experience. Brakes are nothing to risk getting wrong. If you are good at understanding and following written directions, you should be okay, but have the job looked over by someone who has some experience with this type of job.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

Here's everything you need to go electric. Four bolts and 2 wires - no bleeding or master cylinder work. $150 + 25
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Trai...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Breakaway system $20 + 10
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Trai...5fRVQ5fTrailerQ5fCamperQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Truck controller $140
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Teko...5fRVQ5fTrailerQ5fCamperQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

That's less than $400 for the whole kit and kaboodle.

My electric drums were going on 6 years (30,000+ miles) with fresh water flush after salt, but if you need to replace the shoes and backing plate every 2 years it's cheap and easy. $55 + for complete brake job.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Trai...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Here I am after doing the Alaska Highway from SC:

 

[capslock118]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

No offense, but it sounds like you don't have a lot of mechanical experience. Brakes are nothing to risk getting wrong.

No offense taken. I am no mechanic true but brakes are not rocket science. I do the brake work on our car and truck along with everything else; not much different.

Jeffnick, i'll glance over the electric brakes but i'm not really sold.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

No offense taken. I am no mechanic true but brakes are not rocket science. I do the brake work on our car and truck along with everything else; not much different.

Then you should be just fine!

 

[capslock118]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

Two more photos.

The first photo is what the shaft behind the spindle and brake backing plate looks like. Fairly rusted although I am a bit perplexed; it almost looks like that shaft can be removed and replaced rather than replacing the entire axle.

Second image is the springs. From any other trailer i've seen I expect shackle links; but there are no shackle links on my trailer. Is this normal? If it isn't, then this is the time to fix it; otherwise I'll just replace the springs with the exact same setup.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

That's a slipper set up. Not unusual.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

"instant break in the emergency"

Care to explain what that actually means?

 

[capslock118]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

That's a slipper set up. Not unusual.

Good; thought maybe shackle links were suppose to be connected to the eye.

on to the shopping I go.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

Your going to be setup so much better then you are its not even funny, the slipper spring is fine, its been in use for an incredibly long time so don't sweat it, the box tubing over the axle has me perplexed I am assuming it will not be replaced on your new setup though, I wouldn't, I see no use in it other then possibly to add strength to the axle via redneck engineering so no surprise there.

Anyway congratulations!! I can't wait to see the new setup when its complete!!

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

I priced out a set of disc brakes for my 24 ft trailer and a one axle set were $450.00 and another $120.00 for the reciever .You have to change the reiever if you go to disc brales. I had a double set on my Load Rite, 90% of the assembly was stainless steel. The kit includes wheel bearings and new brake hoses.Easternmarine.com has them.My new set will be for 10 inch wheels.

 

[capslock118]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

Your going to be setup so much better then you are its not even funny

the box tubing over the axle has me perplexed I am assuming it will not be replaced on your new setup though, I wouldn't, I see no use in it other then possibly to add strength to the axle via redneck engineering so no surprise there.

I hadn't thought about that; it's a round axle with some galv box over it. Interesting; shady way to hide problems.

I just decided to replace the axle outwright - as it's been said earlier best not to monkey around with it.

You have to change the reiever if you go to disc brales

The thing is I have to change over the receiver anyways because the master cylander is shot shot and shot.

I ordered all of my parts; I'll post back when they are in and I've installed.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

...i'll glance over the electric brakes but i'm not really sold.

If you click over to boatus - you can read all about his brake "adventures", you will come away a believer. Electrics offer vastly superior control over any surge system...

The disk break is the new technology available for the instant break in the emergency.Always better to use the advanced technology rather sticking to the older one.

What are you talking about?????

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

You have to change the reiever if you go to disc brales.

You actually don't. The only difference is that the drum brake master cylinder has a residual valve in it that keeps a small amount of pressure in the brake lines which you don't want when using disc brakes. This residula valve just needs to be punctured or removed for use with disks.

 

[dazk14]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

I wouldn't torture yourself. Brakes on the shoreline for a single axle 19' outboard being pulled by a truck 10 miles is more headache than it's worth.

You may not want to travel RT 95 Friday at rush hour if you're not a seasoned hauler.

Your trailer looks fine. Measure your rusted spindle seal dia. for the appropriate sized "Spindo Seal". Replace the bearings if needed, load the hubs FULLY with Marine grease and put it back together. You'll be ahead of 90% of the dual axle trailers in your area.

 

[capslock118]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

dazk14,

You have a good point. There are always future trips planned that involve hauling the boat to sailfest in new london or maybe new york. These future trips always stay far in the future, but if/when the day comes I want to travel 100 miles i'd be kicking myself for not having brakes.

I did buy a new axle; I was already at $600 for parts for the new brake system, springs, and a few other parts. In my view if I am already spending $600, what's another $150 for a worry-free new axle?

maybe that type of logic is why I am always broke :facepalm:

 

[NYBo]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

I wouldn't torture yourself. Brakes on the shoreline for a single axle 19' outboard being pulled by a truck 10 miles is more headache than it's worth.

Regardless of how much of a headache it may be, it's the only way for him to legally tow his boat 10' on public roads, much less 10 miles.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Replace drum brakes with disc breaks?

My biggest problem with drum brakes is the always seem to lock up. I can pull the trailer a couple of times then out of no where the wheel locks up .So after I had SS Disc brakes put on the problem went away. Now I have a different trailer and I'm getting ready to have SS Disc brakes put on this trailer