Disk Brake conversion

[aceinspp]

Well after meeting with Russel from Performance Trailer Braking at Bamaganz, and showing him my backing plate from a 4000# axle from my V-lite torx axle he seem to think they would be able to do the conversion. Well had the guys come out today to do an install, well down side is the conversion does not fit my axles So now I'm back to square one. Later RJD

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Well after meeting with Russel from Performance Trailer Braking at Bamaganz, and showing him my backing plate from a 4000# axle from my V-lite torx axle he seem to think they would be able to do the conversion. Well had the guys come out today to do an install, well down side is the conversion does not fit my axles So now I'm back to square one. Later RJD

That sucks. too bad the factory doesn’t put disc brakes on all the trailers. If done during the build process the cost would be well under $1,000 extra (but worth much more than that).

[aceinspp]

Yep would be nice but would not be able to afford a news camper Later RJD

[lesptr]

It might be worth changing axles to get the disc brakes.

[kamper00]

Be nice if they at least made it an option....

[babock]

Did they give you options of different brands? Kodiacs?

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by babock

Did they give you options of different brands? Kodiacs?

No they did not. Later RJD

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by lesptr

It might be worth changing axles to get the disc brakes.

Well if I had your money no problem. Total cost to do would be close to 8 grand or more. New axles are 6 bolt compared to my 5 ,new rims and then new tires again. Do not see this happening I less I win the lottery Maybe another company out there has a kit who knows. Later RJD

[jeffnick]

Are you guys having trouble stopping with drum brakes or do you just like the idea of discs? I went the opposite way - dumped the surge discs in favor of totally electric drum.

[A32Deuce]

Surge and electric and disc, no comparison. The new disc are elect over hydraulic and basically work like the disc brakes on your TV. Way more pluses then cons. But that's how I feel and think. Having used surge and electric brakes, disc would/are the best of both. Ask anyone that made the change.

[babock]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

Surge and electric and disc, no comparison. The new disc are elect over hydraulic and basically work like the disc brakes on your TV. Way more pluses then cons. But that's how I feel and think. Having used surge and electric brakes, disc would/are the best of both. Ask anyone that made the change.

I have electric over hydraulic Kodiacs on a boat trailer. No comparison to electric brakes on my other trailers and the drum brakes that were on this trailer before.

@jeffnick which discs were you using?

[mcnabbwr]

Made the switch to disc when we had the MORRyde independent suspension installed. The stopping power is unbelievable and a lot better than drum.

[babock]

The people that think drum brakes are as good as discs should go drive an old truck that had 4 wheel drum brakes and get back to us.

[A32Deuce]

Trouble is, most drivers now are use to disc since 1968. Not many remember the old drum brakes and how great they were when they got wet

[donniedu]

6K axles tubes are roughly 250 dollars each, the disc brake kit is about 2000 dollars. Labor should be no more than a grand. Where do you get 8 thousand?

[sconnors11]

I must be missing something... I put Kodiak kits on my old Gearbox 5th wheel when I replaced the dual 7k axles with 8k. I recommend doing an electric/hydraulic converter instead of surge brakes. This prevents brakes from actuating on a downhill and allows you to pull the load straight with the brake control when it sways.

Here's how I see a disk brake upgrade, having done one. (prices from Etrailer):

2 Ea $350 Kodiak disk brake kits.
4 Ea $200 16" Aluminum Wheel with E tires, rated at 3650# each
1 Ea $575 Electric Hydraulic actuator
1 Lot $200 Hydraulic hoses,, hard lines, crimping tool, shipping, tax, etc

That's 2275 in parts if you need new wheels and tires, 1475 if you can make your existing wheels and tires work.

You can probably recoup some money by selling used parts.

I'm not sure how you get to 8 grand...

[A32Deuce]

Another Benny over surge is backing up on rough ground.

[kamper00]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

Trouble is, most drivers now are use to disc since 1968. Not many remember the old drum brakes and how great they were when they got wet

I am feeling old now...had 4 wheel drum Ford Maverick

[A32Deuce]

I put front disc on my 62 Falcon. Much nicer to stop now!

[lesptr]

Originally Posted by kamper00

I am feeling old now...had 4 wheel drum Ford Maverick

My first was a 73, puke yellow, 4 door. Looking cool in that car was not possible, but was better than walking. It did have the 302 though. It was much peppier than people gave it credit.