Trailer brakes overhaul

[jumpjets]

My two axle trailer has rusted out useless drum brakes on one of the axles. They are hydraulic surge brakes with the compression style master cylinder on the hitch. I need to replace or repair them before I use the trailer again. My truck is an 02 explorer, and since it's towing near 5000lbs, it needs some quality trailer brakes.

I live on the carolina coast and the trailer sees brackish water or straight up sea water every time it goes out. My truck is a beater, and my boat and trailer aren't exactly hi-dollar show quality either. I don't want to throw a lot of money into a low budget tow rig, but I need some quality brakes that are sea water capable.

Can you all provide me some suggestions on what I should look into for a brake setup? I would love to do electric drums with a brake controller, but I'm told that is a poor idea in salt water. I'm a newb to boating, towing, and truck owning, so please break it down nice and simple for me.

thanks.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Trailer brakes overhaul

Champion trailers on the Internet is a good resource. You might want to go with a surge disc kit

 

[dan t.]

Re: Trailer brakes overhaul

Galvinized shoes and backing plate, lube all moving parts with a good synthetic grease and add a fresh water flush kit, works for me.

 

[jumpjets]

Re: Trailer brakes overhaul

http://www.iboats.com/Tie-Down-Engi...7994477--**********.482519364--view_id.730015

I'm thinking about a kit like this. I like that it has disc brakes instead of drums. I'm not in love with the surge brake concept though. I would love to have electric brakes because I could use the additional braking power provided by the hi gain setting on the brake controller.

How much braking power does that hitch actuated master cylinder actually provide? I feel like they wouldn't be that strong. Any opinions?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Trailer brakes overhaul

http://www.iboats.com/Tie-Down-Engi...7994477--**********.482519364--view_id.730015

I'm thinking about a kit like this. I like that it has disc brakes instead of drums. I'm not in love with the surge brake concept though. I would love to have electric brakes because I could use the additional braking power provided by the hi gain setting on the brake controller.

How much braking power does that hitch actuated master cylinder actually provide? I feel like they wouldn't be that strong. Any opinions?

Surge brakes are generally good up to 8,000 lbs. after that electric is the way to go. The 'surge' is self-regulating as the trailer is actually applying the brakes. The heavier the trailer, the more force that it can apply.

I have the Tie-Down Engineering disc brakes, after 7 seasons with salt water they are still functioning well.

( of course now that I said that watch them crap out this season)

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Trailer brakes overhaul

^^^^Sounds like someone has had better luck than most. Do NOT put on Tie Down discs, especially for saltwater. Kodiak is the way to go. You could get away with their standard setup as long as you were religious about rinsing them off after each dunk. Or just spend the $$$ for the stainless ones but then you'd be in your brakes more than your truck and trailer. Discs work fine with surge masters.

 

[jumpjets]

Re: Trailer brakes overhaul

What about TITAN brand brakes? Are they good? Does anyone know anything about them? I found some of them online for a good price, and it's an all inclusive kit. Additionally, they are made in the USA which is rare these days. I'm leaning towards them unless anyone has bad gouge about them.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer brakes overhaul

Tie Down disc brakes, especially the stainless ones are junk. I had a set on for less than 1000 miles before I threw them in the trash. Discs warped, pads wore out. They were a mess. I see they are trying to solve this issue by drilling them which is totally worthless.

I would get the Kodiak ones. That is what I have now and they are awesome.

 

[SingleShot]

Re: Trailer brakes overhaul

I put on the same one jumpjet listed. Been 4 years, best thing I ever did to my boat trailer. YOU will not be disapointed.

Just re-read JUmpjets reply, I've locked them up, they are plenty strong. At least on my rig. I think I'm about 3K pounds.

JK

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Trailer brakes overhaul

Tie Down disc brakes, especially the stainless ones are junk. I had a set on for less than 1000 miles before I threw them in the trash. Discs warped, pads wore out. They were a mess. I see they are trying to solve this issue by drilling them which is totally worthless.

I would get the Kodiak ones. That is what I have now and they are awesome.

I am going to have to check the brand of my trailer brake system this weekend, based on the comments about Tie-Down Eng versus my experience. I thought they were Tie-Down brand, but maybe not, since I have had such good luck with them. (stay tuned).