Who Makes the Best Stainless Steel Disc Brakes and Why

[Boatist]

I have had Stainless Steel disc brakes for over 5 years and work much better than Drums. Starting to have trouble with them every spring and thinking about replacing them. With Out telling you what I have and problems I have had like to know what you think is best and Why.<br /><br />Later will tell you problems I have and what model I have. <br /><br />Hope to hear your opinion.

 

[tommays]

Re: Who Makes the Best Stainless Steel Disc Brakes and Why

based on the materials used to build them the all stainless kodic would seam better for saltwater<br /><br />the tie down uses some combos of materals that on paper should cause a problem like the brass fittings in and alum body<br /><br /><br />to be honest i have stayed with drums because of the cost of changeing everything and its not clear to me at this point if i would just be haveing a different problem<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[islandboat]

Re: Who Makes the Best Stainless Steel Disc Brakes and Why

I bought the Kodiac disc brake system last year after working on freinds "new" Tie Down brake system. I knew I didn't want the Tie Down system after that. The Kodiac's have been perfect so far.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Who Makes the Best Stainless Steel Disc Brakes and Why

The disc I have on have been there since June of 99. Last spring and again this spring the calipers have been locked up at a point where the wheel will not turn at all by hand. Still I think they work so much better than drums that I will stay with disc brakes. My 1980 EZ Loader trailer started with drum brakes but to be honest after 2 years of salt water they really did not work at all. The drums rusted so bad that they would have worn the brakes pads right out since the wheel cylinders were also locked up they did nothing.<br /><br />I have been trying to find information on Kodiac disc brakes. If they are better seams like lot of places would sell them but Iboat, West Marine, Champion trailers, and Boaters World only sell the Tie Down Disc.

 

[tommays]

Re: Who Makes the Best Stainless Steel Disc Brakes and Why

i am inpressed that the tie downs are lasting 4+years in saltwater i would have guessed a lot less<br /><br />i believe the kodiac cost a LOT more for there are all stainless in the better modles because you have cant find a price anywere<br /><br /> at the tie down prices if your getting 4 to 5 years out of them thats pretty good life for the money and i think they have made a GOOD comprise between price and overall life<br /><br />i have to think no matter what there made of there still going to need service from sticking at some point<br /><br />even CARS that dont go near saltwater still get frozen calipers<br /><br />tommays

 

[Lou C]

Re: Who Makes the Best Stainless Steel Disc Brakes and Why

do a search, Kodiak has a website and they sell them in regular, cad plated and stainless. They also have a list of distributors that sell the brake packages. Don't seem to be in the mass market like Tie Down. Go to www.thehulltruth.com they have had a lot of discussion on these, consensus is that they are good,and the silver cad may work well for the price in salt.<br />I have seen the newer vented Tie Downs (coated rotors) on a lot of new Loadrites and Venture trailers, I wonder if they are as good as Kodiak now? Certainly easier to find. I went with the Tie Down Galvax drums since I felt if I had a problem I could not solve more trailer shops would be familar with the drum system. Also with discs you need the 5th wire to run the soleniod so you can back up, not all tow vehicles have that set up so if I needed to tow with a different truck I'd have to lock out the brakes to back up. I also checked with Champion Trailers and they recommended the drums to me since I live in a hilly area and with a surge system discs can overheat in constant hills. So far so good. If I get 3 seasons in salt I will be happy with that, they are cheap enough to replace (140 for the fully assembled backing plate with shoes, wheel cyl, etc).

 

[dingbat]

Re: Who Makes the Best Stainless Steel Disc Brakes and Why

I've have the latest version of the Tie-downs (powder coated cal and SS rotors) and have been very happy with them for the two years they've been on the trailer. Inspected them this spring when I repacked the bearings and found no corrosions issues but it looks like I'll need new pads by the end of the year.<br /><br />The Kodiaks are nice but I have a hard time justifing the cost if I can get 4 years out of the Tie-downs at 1/2 the price.

 

[bigbad4cyl]

Re: Who Makes the Best Stainless Steel Disc Brakes and Why

i just baught the kodiak stainless ones,,,,,,the stainless 2 piece unit with a galvanized hub,,,stainless bracket and caliper ...im gunna lay under my trailer and stare at them with a smile when im not out boating ......the 2 piece unit is 1/2 inch larger in braking area than the 1 piece unit... ......i never had a stainless caliper before

 

[Boatist]

Re: Who Makes the Best Stainless Steel Disc Brakes and Why

I have the Tie-Down units before the G4 black power coated units came out. I fish a lot of salt water and the problem I and other have had is the caliper pistons have lock up where they do not want to return so wheel lock up. Brake wear after 5 years in my case was very little.<br /><br />I checked the kodiac site and they look good but then so does the Tie-down site. I decided to try Tie-Down one one more time. Main reason can get parts at almost every major site. Parts very cheap. Caliper I had trouble with $62 per wheel.<br />I did go with the whole hub, bearings, caliper, mounting plate, disc at $98 per wheel just so can have a complete spare. After I get these installed will tear down the old units and see If I could have just cleaned them out like on a car. Time will tell. <br /><br />Thank all for you great info.