Disc Brake Conversion

[rschmitt]

Does anyone have any data/experience/knowledge on converting a 5W from drum (electric) to electric over hydraulic disc brakes.



Does Tow Brake inernational make a very good or very poor conversion set?



Any others recommended?





Roger Schmitt



Lake Havasu City



2004 3500 Dually 6 spd 5" exhaust US Gear brake boost/pyro

 

[CarlJensen]

If I am not mistaken, I think Trailer Life did an article on just this subject last issue or the one before. They did a disk install and it went very well. Don't have my old issues so might do a search of archives on line if you get the mag. Go to a library?? if not.

 

[RustyJC]

As you're evaluating the various systems, a critical factor is the pressure rise time - how long does it take the electric/hydraulic system to go from zero pressure to maximum braking pressure. The early systems had pressure rise times of (IIRC) up to 3 seconds - the last thing I would want to encounter in an "oh, my God " braking situation. Some of the later designs use approaches such as a traditional dual-circuit master cylinder with an electric actuator that are much better in this regard.



Dexter has a system, and I believe Brakesmart has something to offer as well. There are probably others, but my synapses haven't had enough caffeine this morning to remember them.



Rusty

 

[JJW_ND]

You will really link the results

We just converted a couple of our higher use trailers from electric to hydraulic disk. They had 8K torsion axles with 17. 5 wheels. We went with Carlisle Hydrastar accuator (http://www.carlislebrake.com/spec_tbp.html) and Kodiak disks (http://www.redneck-trailer.com/2004/B/Pages B-35-B-38.pdf). Here is a thread I started this winter to ask questions https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122636&highlight=hydraulic+disk. Jim (jelag) was a big help.



I have put about 1K miles pulling the trailer (just got it done end of last week). We are heading for PA on Wednesday for a longer trip.



We also switched from a Prodigy control to a Brakesmart. Between the Brakesmart and the Hydraulic Disks, the brakes (truck and trailer) now feel as one. Braking effort is total related to brake pedal movement. No noise, jerking, or any constant adjustment.



THere is no comparison to the brakeing ability with the disks. Even fully loaded (our trailers weight 13K loaded ... plus the truck) I can still slide tires. Empty (trailer weight around 7K) any panic stop will slide the tires. Mind you... just prior to sliding the tires you are wiping your face off the windshield.



Their is a slilght delay in trailer braking when the hydraulic accuator pressures up... maybe a second. but then you have access to full braking power if needed (slide the tires the next second). THe delay is so subtle that I can not seperate out the trailer braking from the truck. I think the stopping distances are so much shorter with Disk versus Electric Drum that even with the delay, it is very quick to bring things to a stop.



We are most interested in how these brakes will stand up to lots of gravel road and off road use. If they do as fine in those conditions as they are doing on road they are with question a dramatic improvement over any electric brakes + brake control setup.



We had seperate trailer shops do the conversion and both cost right at $2K with parts and labor. This was for 8K disks and the Hydrastar accuator, hydraulic lines ... . road ready.



jjw

ND