Thoughts on trailer brakes......

[Sarge]

Just a thought I wanted to share with the forum, some may know this but I did not. I learned the hard way that THERE ARE NO SUCH THINGS AS SELF ADJUSTING TRAILER BRAKES. I owned a boat trailer for several years, and a utility trailer, and just assumed that theyworked like automotive drum brakes, that when you backed up and applied the brakes, they would self adjust. Well they don't! I have read several threads about folks burning up their truck brakes, and white knuckling down a grade towing a big trailer. Adjust your brakes once a year manually on each wheel, by jacking up the trailer wheel and adjusting the star adjuster until the wheel starts to drag. Don't learn the way I did, be safe out there Sarge

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Trailer disc brakes

I have stainless disc brakes on my boat trailer (all 4 wheels). They are far superior to drum brakes (ie. self adjusting). They are easy to work on, easy to rinse and have excellent stopping power. Highly recommended. The company is Tiedown Engineering. West Marine wants way too much for them, but other places carry them as well.

 

[Sarge]

Thanks for the info, although I don't think I have ever seen a RV with disk brakes, but heck, it could happen! How about it, any TT's or 5'ers out there with disk brakes

 

[dabubba]

Yea in the late 70' or early 80's the original airstreams came out with 4 wheel discs standard on their TT's I don't know if thor ind. who now owns airstream is still putting disc breaks on their trailers- ya adjusting mine ck- there is a company that makes discs for boat trailers and they have come out with an electric/hydralic disc set up for trailers- driven by a standard trailer brake controller maybe they'll be standard equipment when I by my next rv------

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Just remebered... The Uhaul I rentted this summer had hydraulic surge brakes on it. Don't remember noticing the brand though.

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Try it again. The U-haul had surge brakes with discs on all wheels. About the only thing that was working on the trailer. They worked real well.

 

[RHamner]

Automate in Los Banos Ca. offers 5ths and TTs with "Elecdraulic " disk brakes. They have offered them for a couple years as an option. Most people now go for the option because they are generally felt to be superior. I don't have them because it lists as a $2500 change from existing drums. People I've talked to that have them say, "yes they stop the rig like you want brakes to work" automaterv.com

 

[Paul Somers]

Went to RV Ralley last year. One of the siminars I attended was by Dexter. The rep said Dexter is working on disk brakes and they would be available in next couple of years.

 

[Sarge]

If someone could make them at a reasonable price, I would consider them for my TT. Sarge

 

[RHamner]

Sarge You might look at this. They may work with an existing controller, and the price can only come down. It is hydraulic and antilock. They might tell you their source.



http://www.automaterv.com/abrake.html

 

[Sarge]

Rick, I just looked at their web site, and it looks impressive. I e-mailed them for a brocure. So, how do you like your 5er? I will be in the market to upgrade, and am interested in various brands. Any input is appreciated. Marty