Thoughts on Disk Brakes Please

[MMeilicke]

I am pulling 13500 lbs and am thinking about putting on disk brakes on my 5th wheel. A couple of questions: Will a Prodigy controller work? Are there better controllers out there? What make disk brakes and "hydraulic pump" would one recommend? How much should disk brakes cost installed? Are they worth the money? I guess that depends on how quickly one wants to stop.



Thanks for the help

 

[JJW_ND]

Best change you can make....

We switched two trailers over this spring and plan to switch three more over this winter.



Here is a link from this summer https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130990&highlight=Carlisle



We put about 40K on the two converted trailers. We plan on using the same equipment on the ones we do this winter: Carlisle actuator (pump), kodiak brake/hub hardware and Brakesmart controllers if we can get them. Carlisle now has an additinal box that can be added to their actuators which makes the Prodigy and Ford's factory controllers compatible (http://www.carlislebrake.com/spec_hba-cam-controller-adapter-module.html).



The only change we will do is go with slight larger brake hydraulic lines.



We paid about $2k per trailer to convert 8K axles. There might be trade in value to your old hardware.



jjw

ND

 

[jwduke]

From the reports over on RV net, they are worth every penny. Stops are much quicker, plus would have to be easier to service.

 

[jelag]

I have 2 large trailers that use disc brakes... and pull them with an 04 and a 05... the 05 has the brake smart controller and I like it better. . the harder you push on the pedal the more brake you get..... and I moved from the electric brakes because of the saftey margin... . when stopping IN TOWN... on the open road we never touch the brakes with the PXRB PacBrake exhaust brakes... ...



The 04 now has 160 K miles... . the trailer must have 200K miles... . been through 2 sets of pads on the trailer and using the OE factory pads on the truck...



We had problems from the onset and found that what we needed to do was put a car battery on the trailer and power the Hyd unit from that battery keeping it charged from the tow vehicle..... we soldered, and heat shrink tubing all the connections using the tubing that has the glue in the center for a waterproof connection... .



We learned that we had to route the wiring and the hyd lines so that during the winter 500 to 750 lbs of ice building up under the trailer wouldn't get into the wiring, hyd's, etc... .



We would not go back... . We use Dexter... and hate the price of there service parts after the sale... the start up price was good... but 125 for a set of 2 pads is crazy... . so next time were going to price the parts first..... or make our own pads... .



BTW - we've had problems with the boots on the dexter calipers... we've finally lined the back the pad against the caliper pistons with a material to stop the heat from doing damage to the boot... . we've had several cracked boots from heat... and that will allow dirt and that allows the pistons to stick. . and drag the brakes... .



Jim / Pacific Clutch

 

[CCBrady]

MMeilicke, yes your Prodigy will work with most of the disc brakes that are out there. Like it was said before the Brakesmart is a better way to go, but until they are available again the Prodigy will do just fine. What size are your axles, some of the mfr's of disc brakes only have six lug hubs for 7K and smaller axles. So if you have an eight lug hub on a 7K axle this may limit you options. But all in all disc's are worth every penny.

Chris

 

[MMeilicke]

CC Brady, thanks for the reply. I have Dexter 6K axels, 8 lug hub, never lube bearings. What vender would you recommend?

 

[TGibbs]

From our experience in our shop the prodigy doesn't work with the electric over hydraulic brakes whether they are disk or drum. The prodigy sends a signal to the brakes every 5 seconds and the electric brakes create the full circuit and tell the prodigy that they are hooked up. With the hydraulic pump, the circuit isnt completed and the prodigy doesnt apply power because it doesnt sense that the brakes are there. Not trying to start anything but we have horse trailers with hydraulic brakes and my dad has the prodigy in his truck and it doesnt work together.



As for the disc brakes, Worth the money in the world. Slight delay when you step on the brakes but after that you better have your mouth shut or they will stop fast enough to pull breakfast back up from two days ago. IMO go for it, lots of money but you cant beat the safety factor :-laf

 

[Paychk]

From our experience in our shop the prodigy doesn't work with the electric over hydraulic brakes whether they are disk or drum. The prodigy sends a signal to the brakes every 5 seconds and the electric brakes create the full circuit and tell the prodigy that they are hooked up. With the hydraulic pump, the circuit isnt completed and the prodigy doesnt apply power because it doesnt sense that the brakes are there. Not trying to start anything but we have horse trailers with hydraulic brakes and my dad has the prodigy in his truck and it doesnt work together.



As for the disc brakes, Worth the money in the world. Slight delay when you step on the brakes but after that you better have your mouth shut or they will stop fast enough to pull breakfast back up from two days ago. IMO go for it, lots of money but you cant beat the safety factor :-laf

JJW_ND above tried to link to this url:



http://www.carlislebrake.com/spec_hba-cam-controller-adapter-module.html



It is an adapter for the prodigy & hydraulic brake pump, it should answer all the problems you mention.

 

[CCBrady]

MMeilicke, I will try and find out tomrrow at work if anybody makes an eight lug for a 6K axle. I haven't seen many 8 lugs on 6K axles, most are 6 lug. But I'll check and let you know.

Chris

 

[MMeilicke]

Chris, thanks for your help

 

[CCBrady]

Mick, Our best parts gal took a long holiday, but I tried my hand at it. From what I found it looks like Dexter, Kokiak and Mor-Ryde are all 6 lug for 6K axles, and I couldn't get Tie-Down they are wholesale only, so no luck for me. Maybe someone else can help or talk to which ever parts place you trust.

Have a good Thanksgiving.

Chris

 

[MicroOutlawRacer]

MMeilicke I am not being mean but I would check those axles again. From what you have stated your trailer weight is 13,500. This being the weight of your trailer and if you do have 6k axles (assuming it is a dual axle trailer, if it is a triple axle trailer just ignore me) I would look seriously at getting new axles along with the new brakes - some that are 7k or better. As far as brakes I have elec. over hydro. drums and as much as I would like disc the drums do work good. They will lock up all 4 tires on dexter 9k single wheel axles fully loaded. I can't ask for much more then that and in Oklahoma brake fade is not a big problem



David

 

[MMeilicke]

David, thanks for the reply. Yes the trailer does weight 13. 5 but the axle weight is 10. 5 so I assume the the 6K axles should work OK. But I am wondering if Kodiak makes a disc brake that will fit the Dexter Never Lube hubs? Has anyone else out there had experience with the Dexter accurater and disc brakes?