Disc Brakes on small trailer

[SOLER]

Thanks all! Looks like I'm going to put a 5200 lb axle with discs on the back, leave the front axle alone, and add an actuator. For the price, I can get the whole axle with Dexter parts for less than a Dexter kit, and about the same as the other brands' kits.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Can't give a specific reason but only doing one axle seems like a wrong thing to do.

 

[AH64ID]

Can't give a specific reason but only doing one axle seems like a wrong thing to do.

I was thinking the same thing. I'd do both.


As far as torsion axle go they prefer to be loaded and will ride worse if they aren't loaded enough. Boat trailers are great for torsion as the load is almost always the same weight and will give the boat a better ride.

 

[SOLER]

LOL! I guess I should have been more clear. Was saying thanks to Cummins12v98 for the info. But I'm going to put a spring axle on the back. It only has one brake axle, and am just going to put discs on the back. This way, since I have new hubs and aluminum wheels with the 6on5.5 pattern, I can keep it that way. For my car hauler, since it still has the 5on5.5, I'll either just put discs on both axles, and use 5on5.4 pattern, or, since it isn't much more, replace both axles with 5200 lb axles. This trailer needs lots of work (new deck, wires, lights, brakes, paint). Haven't decided if I'm going to do the work or just get rid of it.

 

[Cummins12V98]

AWWWWWW, now I get it!!!

 

[DClark]

I have a couple of trailers, tandem 7k. Both have 3500 lb axles with brakes on the rear axle only. Has anyone converted to disc brakes on a trailer this size? I'd like to keep the discussion to this specific setup. I've seen plenty of threads regarding the conversion on larger trailers and RVs. I have other larger trailers and plan to convert them, but interested specifically in converting a smaller trailer. Is it worth it? Also, one trailer has 5on5.5 bolt pattern. I HATE THAT BOLT PATTERN!!! So, even if I don't convert to discs, I'll at least be replacing idlers and drums to either a 5on4.5, or a 6on5.5. I converted one of these trailers to 6on5.5. In researching disc brakes, for a 3.5k axle you can only get 5on4.5. So that trailer might stay the way it is since I bought new aluminum wheels when I swapped the hubs.

I'm also wondering where to mount the actuator on an open trailer. I don't want any corrosion to happen to it.

I just pulled one of these trailers from San Antonio to NM and trailer brakes kept adjusting themselves to the point of locking up. Pulled into a rest stop and they were smoking! Original brakes, trailer hasn't been towed many miles, but it's a 2004 flatbed. I just don't want the maintenance of drums anymore.

It sounds like the axle is on backwards so it thinks you'er backing up all the time and that's why it keeps adjusting when you are going forward.
DClark