Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

[16victor]

OK, my 2001 Eagle tandem axle trailer (new to me) has non-functioning surge brakes. I have a Titan Model 60 actuator and Demco 10" drums (not sure which style -free backing, uni servo, etc...haven't had it apart yet and can't get to it right now), on the front axle only. AFAIK, it's all original stuff (maintenance was apparently ignored on this rig). Boat weighs maybe 3000lb.

If I stay with drums, I know I'll be wanting at the very least a new master cylinder ($50). Probably new brake assemblies ($65/side for galvanized) each side. Looking at $225 or so assuming I change the rubber lines, for a complete overhaul. I know it's wise to go for a new actuator so add $100 to the above if so.

Plus: cheapest route, easiest fix. Con: least effective and reliable overall system. I still have drums.

Alternatively, I spend $440 on a complete disc overhaul. Complicating factor here is the reverse lockout switch and the related (minor) vehicle side wiring.

Plus: overall better performance and longevity. Con: cost, install time. Do I really need to run new hard lines? What a PITA.

Thirdly, I can go electric. $145 for controller, $100 for Nev-R-Adjust units, $40 for battery, plus some wire, lugs, etc. Totals about $300. Oops add $70 or so for new hubs...

Pro: Supposedly cheaper, more reliable, simpler, and very effecitve. Con: adding controller to vehicle, meaning it's practically the only vehicle that can tow this trailer...may not mean much.

Feel free to correct me where I'm wrong above.

Now please, somebody say, very clearly, "Ron, just go buy this...."

 

[Rd05lly]

Re: Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

Electric more control, easier and cheaper to maintain, no actuator to go out and no bump when taking off. Your old drums may work with electric if flat on inside. They are 44 dollars a hole for never adjust.

But I have electric brakes on all my trailers and a controller in ever vehicle that pulls.

 

[indybleck]

Re: Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

I'm in the same situation, with the Eagle trailer and I'm leaning towards electric all the way around. If I go electric do I need to replace the coupler. I'm pretty lucky here because we have multiple trailering places that should have what I need. Going to keep an eye on this thread.

 

[calvinator]

Re: Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

I had dual axle boat trailer w/broken surge brakes two years ago. I went with the Tow Power disc brake complete replacement kit from Amazon $400, coupler, flexible lines, 10" disc brakes, etc. 3 hrs of labor to remove old and install new. Easy work because all the brakes were new stuff and I wasn't patching into the old crusty brakes. The Tie Down kit came with flexible brake lines for easy install.

It wasn't much $$$, just an afternoon of work, and the braking was much improved. Trailer lugged around a 21' 4000lbs boat.

I'm shopping for a pontoon boat trailer. I'll be putting the Tow Power brakes on there too.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

I have disc brakes on the boat and electric on the horse trailer. Believe it or not, the boat trailer, outside the saltwater corrosion issues requires far less maintenance and the disc perform better.

Replacing the breakaway battery and fixing corroded and or rodent damaged brake wiring is an annual event. Brake controllers are not fool proof either. The last one went out the morning that we where leaving for 3 day equestrian trial the next State.

If I went electric anything, it would be electric over hydraulic. The best of both worlds.

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

I went with the electric route and so far so good. Did the dexter Nev-R-Adjust, had my old drums turned and reused them, ran some 10 gauge double insulated wiring, added a breakaway sys and bought a prodigy II controller for I believe under $300.

 

[16victor]

Re: Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

Thanks for all the advise....believe me I'm listening. I plan to dissect a drum tonight to evaluate it's condition and go from there. Will try to bleed the system with the existing M/C as a temporary measure, and get what I think I'll need on order tonight or tomorrow.

Leaning toward Kodiak disc with existing actuator and new M/C and lines. Leaning away from electric because I don't know how long I'll have the tow vehicle, and no other potential tow vehicles (friends and family who may tow the boat) don't have electric, plus I don't want the hassle of installing a controller twice. I'm getting stingy with my time...I believe I could knock out a disc upgrade in a long evening.

 

[batman99]

Re: Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

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For my fresh water areas, my boat trailer has electric brakes. It has new brake assemblies, new drums, new rims/rubber and new STAR design brake wiring (using 10 gauge wiring). For details on STAR design, surf: http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251/Spike99-Pictures/Trailer wiring/Brakewiring-Star.jpg

I'm sure electric/Disc brakes would be perfect. But for my setup, electric drum in fresh water works great. And, it's affordable.

Hope this helps..

 

[16victor]

Re: Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

After too much mental to and fro, I finally bit on a replacement hydraulic actuator with reverse solenoid, and Kodiac dacromet discs. No need for SS for weekend freshwater use, or so I reasoned. I got the kind with separate rotors; just like the thought of it better.

I nearly bit on electric but my tow vehicle doesn't have the tow package, so I would have had significant work to add the proper GM pieces.

Thanks all for your help. There is significant and contradictory evidence out there. I don't think I can go wrong, but maybe time will tell me that I could have been a little more right. Either choice (disc or electric) will be way better than drum, IMO.

Best,

Ron

After adding it all up, the discs were about $100 cheaper *for my particular situation*. It won't be for yours.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

Good choice.

 

[16victor]

Re: Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

Well, got everything installed with no major issues. Brakes are working fine. I went to go the local marine dealer for some miscellaneous stuff and checked out some Titan discs they had on the shelves. Since my Kodiaks turned out to be thoroughly Chinese, I'm kicking myself for not getting the US made Titans. Next time for sure...they looked to be a much better made product.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

Kodiak website states assembled in US. Be interesting if the same is true for the Titans.

The nice thing about the Kodiaks is that is uses a standard off the shelf brake pad so you don't have to get replacements from Kodiak.

 

[16victor]

Re: Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

I am nearly positive Kodiak's are cast and machined and probably plated in China. I know Titan has US manufacturing, when I was in machine tool distribution we sold CNC machines to I believe the Quincy IL wheel plant. Regarding the discs, the online flyer says "American Engineered. American Manufactured. American Owned."

Good point about the pads. I got what I got and I'll be content with it...stops great!

 

[joe_nj]

Re: Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

This sounds great. Since I have to rework my brakes, (see separate post), sounds like I should do a disc or electric conversion. Especially since I hate my Atwood actuator. It wasn't clear from the discussion whether disc or electric is better. I don't have a towing package on my Dodge Dakota.

Question: Are there any stickies or videos on doing a drum brake to disc brake conversion or a drum to electric conversion?

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

I, too, have an Eagle tandem, but a 7k lb one. My rig also has the Titan / Dico coupler, but the model 10 coupler on it. Had drums on the rear axle from factory and went to Kodiak discs on both axles when the drums finally gave up the ghost. Rebuilt the coupler w/ new "bearings" (the little plastic disc thingies), shocks and coupling block. Also installed 3AN S/S flex lines where there were rubber ones and a new Master and reverse lockout. The S/S conversion was a big expense (over 200), but worth it, in my opinion. Since the calipers are free floating, Disc setup takes one more flex line at each caliper than the drums.

Was it a pricey swap? Yes... BUT, the stopping ability of the discs on both axles are amazing, especially when compared to the drums on one axle. Plus the conversion has been 100% problem free since the install.

The nice part about the surge discs, is that if one wants electric over hydraulic (The best setup as far as I can see), the upgrade is fairly simple at a later date (but the power head is expensive).

Just like everything else, there are good points and bad points about every setup out there. One just needs to decide what works best for him / her from what one sees as desirable must haves, a "best bang for the buck" standpoint and desire to deal with the shortcomings / minor aggravations every system inherently has. The Kodiak system best met my needs... Your mileage may vary.

Note: The Kodiak pads are a std Chevy replacement pad, but of the ceramic variety. If not using ceramic, the standard metalic and semi pads can rust and fuse to the rotor if not used for a period of time and the ceramics don't absorb water like the others do.

 

[500dollar744ti]

Re: Need guidance on which brakes I should buy.

I had dual axle boat trailer w/broken surge brakes two years ago. I went with the Tow Power disc brake complete replacement kit from Amazon $400, coupler, flexible lines, 10" disc brakes, etc. 3 hrs of labor to remove old and install new. Easy work because all the brakes were new stuff and I wasn't patching into the old crusty brakes. The Tie Down kit came with flexible brake lines for easy install.

It wasn't much $$$, just an afternoon of work, and the braking was much improved. Trailer lugged around a 21' 4000lbs boat.

I'm shopping for a pontoon boat trailer. I'll be putting the Tow Power brakes on there too.

I did the same thing using the Tie Down kit and it was definitely worth the money. The kit is complete and you don't have the hassle of drum brakes anymore. Dunk the brakes under water as often as you like, no issues.