Vacuum over Hydraulic Trailer Brakes.......

[CumminsPuller]

I have had about enough of my electric trailer brakes. With hotshotting it seems to be an ongoing battle with the brakes. I guess it is just all of the road abuse and bouncing. Someone told me that you can buy the "bolt" on conversion for for vacuum over hydraulic brakes? If that is true does anyone know ove a reliable vendor?



Jason

 

[emarsh]

try these people

http://www.dexteraxle.com/disc_brake_retrofit_kits

 

[CumminsPuller]

emarsh........

I do not believe those will work. I have Dexter 10k axles. It looks like those are only good up to 8k. And it also looks like those only fit years 2003 to present axles. Mine were made in 2000. And at 625. 00 apiece that is 1250. 00 per axle, and 2500. 00 total for two axles plus the 100. 00 controller is a little bit more than I wanted to spend. Looks like a great system though.



Jason

 

[T. Baker]

I've seen a bunch of brake kits on the net. Sorry I didn't keep any of the adresses but I know you can find them with google. You can convert to disc brakes if you want really good brakes.

 

[FJfonda]

http://www.championtrailers.com/

 

[cbunt1]

Originally posted by CumminsPuller

I have had about enough of my electric trailer brakes. With hotshotting it seems to be an ongoing battle with the brakes... . If that is true does anyone know ove a reliable vendor?



Jason

Without going too much into detail (I'll be glad to if you want---but remember I'm long winded ) I've done both vacuum over hydraulic, and electric over hydraulic brakes hotshotting with 2 12K AL-KO axles on a 40' flatbed.



Vacuum over hydraulic has some advantages--it's smooth proportioned braking, and you no longer worry about being able to stop with 17,000 on your trailer. On the other hand, when you're empty and catch a yellow light -- you'll put a flat spot on your trailer tires... .



I converted mine from vacuum to electric over hydraulic, and once I got the right brake controller, I love it. I use the brake smart (yeah, it's nearly 400, but still cheaper than the vacuum over hydraulic setup). I kept the disc brakes and hydraulic system from the vacuum/hydraulic, and added a Carlisle electric/hydraulic unit. If I had it to do again, I'd get the MasterBrake ElecDraulic unit, but the carlise is fine.



Now, that being said, I'm assuming you're converting from straight magnet-brakes (drums) -- so as far as I know, there's not a direct bokt-on replacement but I'm sure that Dallas Hub & Axle could tell you all about your options.



If you've got the disc-brakes, and electric activation, though, your biggest problem is most likely your brake controller.



Ack--I got long winded and tried not to. Hope this helps--and PM me for more info.



PS--Who do you hotshot for? -- I'm Acme myself.



--Chris

 

[CumminsPuller]

Chris you hit the nail on the head... ... ... ... I aswell hotshot for ACME. Yes I have the original electric drum brakes. And I am just sick of them. Had a problem again the other day coming back from Arkansas. And I have found a company that does have the bolt on replacements for the vacuum over hydraulic conversion and you still use the same drum that you used with the elctric brakes. You stirred the pot here. Now I do not know what to do?



Jason

 

[T. Baker]

Chris,

What do you think of this system? Brake actuator

 

[TX Gooseneck]

Jason,



You might want to contact www.masterbrake.com We have used their system on our gooseneck trailers before and it's an electric over hydraulic system.



Also, dexter makes the predator control for use in electric over hydraulic. For what it would cost to retro-fit the new brakes, you might be better off to replace the entire axle.



Shoot me a PM and I can get you a cost on some axles.

 

[cbunt1]

Originally posted by T. Baker

Chris,

What do you think of this system? Brake actuator

I use a Hydrastar (Carlisle) unit on my trailer, and I love it. THe version I use is a little different than these three though (I'll go look up exactly which model I have in a bit). I personally like to hook any of these systems directly to a brake controller, rather than a brakelight feed, or surge-activated.



Generally speaking, if your trailer weight is going to be about the same (within around 1-2000#) a "fixed application" type system, or "Brakelight" activation may be OK for you--expecially if you tow 3-4000 miles a year, and any hydraulic system is far superior to a magnetic system for more frequent (or heavier) use.



For the hotshot service Jason and I are discussing, even 12,000 Dexter/Al-KO axles with hydraulic disc brakes, towed 10-12,000 miles per month, brakes are a problem in that they wear fast, wear hard, heat-crack discs, and due to the variable gross weights, are almost impossible to "dial-in" comfortably.



I too think MasterBrake systems is your answer--it turns out that they are an OEM supplier to many of the major brake-suppliers, including Blu-Dot. I think they might be able to steer you right.



Jason--You have a PM.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Another site. bg http://www.tjtrailers.com/store/brake-controllers.html

 

[cbunt1]

That Warner Hyd/Elec unit they are showing looks interesting...



It sounds like the OLD brake controllers I loved so well--anyone ever try one? I'd be interested in hearing about them!



--Chris