Trailer brake comments welcome.......

Critr Gitr · 04-07-2004, 09:26 AM

Looking to add brakes to my boat trailer - King K2800 - 3500lb single axle. Too much load when I add my camper to the truck.

I'd like recommendations & pros/cons for:

style: drum, disk ?
type: hydraulic (surge), electric ?
suppliers: local or online ?

Shadetree difficulty level or reputable mechanics (Eugene area)...
thanks

Conspiracy Theory · 04-07-2004, 09:32 AM

I am looking at this also. I am leaning to disc for 2 reasons.

1: Less parts to worry about getting rusted and freezing up. Since they are more open they would also be easier to rinse off if you launch in salt water. You can't rinse the inside of the drums out without taking the wheel and drums off.

2: More braking power with disc.

I will be going with surge brakes. With the electric ones since you keep dinking them in water you are going to have more problems than with hydraulic (my opinion).

If your axle already has the mounting holes it is just a matter of bolting everthing on and bleeding the brakes.

Boaters World has kits in thier catalog. I have seen another catalog with the kits but can't remember the name of it. I'll bet an RV or boat dealer in your area either has or could get the kits for you.

Herring Impaired · 04-07-2004, 09:41 AM

I put brakes on a trailer that held my first boat, not too bad, Took about four hours from the coupler to the wheels, and made a significant improvement in stopping distance.

I used an online supplier for the parts, and within a month of installing it, they came out with disk brakes, DOH!

When I ordered my NR, I had brakes put on the trailer for only a few bucks more than the aftermaket price.

By the way, surge works very well, less complicated to install/maintain and works on any vehicle you tow with.

Salmonator · 04-07-2004, 09:59 AM

The only time you really NEED electric brakes is on ice. Surge brakes won't do you any good if you can't even stop the tow vehicle. Discs are great but you can't just slap them on a vehicle with a surge coupler set up for drums. There is a small valve piece that must be removed or you will burn up your discs. Don't ask me how I know...

Killertraylor · 04-07-2004, 10:32 AM

Won't discs rust on a boat trailer? I have them on my car and when it sits for more than a few days I notice some rust on the discs that comes off as soon as you use them? I've heard bad things about electrics in the water, so I'd go with surge. If someone has had good luck with electrics in the water, including salt water, I'd sure like to hear it - I think they are much better brakes than the surge brakes on my ez loader.

Mojo · 04-07-2004, 12:18 PM

KT,
I've had electrics for 2 years, dunked in salt and fresh water. Never a hickup. Living in Idaho, and trailering all over the PNW (including trips to Sekiu and the coast) I wouldn't have surge brakes. Wet roads and ice cause a decrease in effectiveness with surge brakes. Almost unuseable during much of the steelhead season here. Considering the fact that getting to my steelhead rivers entails a 5-6 hour drive over several mountain ranges, often with wet or icy roads, I'll never pull a trailer with surge brakes again. Remember if you are pulling your boat at 65 mph and it's raining (I know none of us would ever do that :grin: ), when your truck starts hydroplaning, you ain't got no surge brakes. Ice isn't the only problem with surge brakes. If I lived rather close to the launch, and rarely travelled on wet or icy roads, I might consider surge brakes.

Just my .02...

Salmonator · 04-07-2004, 01:52 PM

Yes, the rotor will rust some but that's not a moving part of the system and the rust comes right off after a few miles. The calipers I believe are made of stainless and brass. Nothing to rust and malfunction. As far as surges on wet roads... I've ran them for the last 6 years through the best mother nature had to offer. No problems. I think most tow vehicles, 3/4 and 1 tons ect... are heavy enough to where planing just doesn't happen. Might be an issue with a half ton rig with wide tires, but thats not an ideal tow rig anyways.

Away2Long · 04-07-2004, 02:18 PM

Added stainless steel disks / surge to my single axle - work great - hopefully saving a little on my truck brakes. I have had to jam on the brakes and I am impressed with how quickly it stops.
Kits are about $400 from Champion Trailer online.
Only thing I would do differently is look into buying flex tubing locally so you can run the line inside the frame. (ran mine along the inside of the rail and securred with zip ties)

Also changed to LiquaLube bearing system - 1+year and 2000+ miles and still running well - without any maintenance other than changing out the fluid once a year. Seems to run cool.

KChookem · 04-07-2004, 03:37 PM

I changed my Shoreland'r 3500# to stainless steel disc and they work great. As I recall, I purchased mine through Cabela's. Local brake people may not install them, however, it was not too difficult for a mechanically-challenged person like me. I did have trouble locating an adequate length brake fluid line to go from one wheel to the other, and had some trouble getting the new brake fluid to pump through the lines, but eventually figured out a way to get the job done.

If I were to do again, I would also get a kit to change the "guts" of the surge brake reservoir. While I did not have any trouble, I did stir up a bunch of old gunky fluid, and some of the rubber seals were getting a bit questionable.

Another thing I would try while I'm messy around with the wheels & spindles, is to get a special, no grease leak, inner seal that the Buddy Bearing folks sell.