Saltwater boat trailer brakes eaten alive

Diamondpilot · Jan 6, 2012

Yep, disc are the only way to go on a boat trailer.

Chris

Chain Bender · Jan 6, 2012

Diamondpilot said:
Were the brakes galvanized or stainless to start with? I deal with tons of boat stuff and what little salt water stuff I have been around a common item is rust, no matter how good you rinse and such. Your bearings and races will probably be just as bad. Sorry, just life in the salt.

Chris

You know, I actually think they were unpainted cast iron calipers with carbon steel bolts holding them on to the flanges.

I got in contact with a Magic Tilt dealer in Panama City this afternoon. Not sure what the calipers and other stuff is made of, but for a new axle with spindles and flanges, rotors with bearings, calipers, brake pads, a pair of tandem leaf springs and hardware and a new actuator was $10XX plus tax. I think I can do better than that so I'll keep looking.

thanks to all for your input.

CB

jenkinsph · Jan 6, 2012

TimberXX said:
I have a magic tilt 24 footer from 04. The drums are awful on my trailer

I am changing to kodiak stainless disc brakes when I have some money.

That would be my choice, the Kodiak ss disc brakes will last alot longer with some care.

I would recommend the poster join The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum and post your query there. This is a large boating and fishing forum with rapid responces. There have been lots of discussions there about the brakes and this problem.

RobertBrown · Jan 6, 2012

Boatng is an epensive pastime, especially in saltwater. Have you considered a bigger truck so you wont't need trailer brakes?
Are the brakes electric or hydraulic?

Combustix · Jan 7, 2012

98% of my boating is in salt water and I trailer everywhere, and have not had a problem to date. I have a fresh water ramp on the way home on the river, I just back her down further into the fresh and let it sit for about 2-3 minutes River flushes out all the salt at least that's my theory and it's worked so far.

Chain Bender · Jan 7, 2012

Combustix said:
98% of my boating is in salt water and I trailer everywhere, and have not had a problem to date. I have a fresh water ramp on the way home on the river, I just back her down further into the fresh and let it sit for about 2-3 minutes River flushes out all the salt at least that's my theory and it's worked so far.

I too have a couple fo freshwater river ramps between the saltwater ramp and my house. Trouble is we are in one fo the worst droughts in 20 years. You can barely get a 15' aluminum boat off a trailer before the wheels fall off the end of the ramp. That's not an option right now.

Should I go with the more expensive SS and marine grade aluminum stuff and get 2 extra years over less espensive stuff or save $500 and by stuff that will last another 4-5 years and just replace it early? I l ike the sound of marine grade aluminum calipers and SS rotors and bronze this and that. I ain't cheap, but I am frugal. If frugal means buying something for a little more that will be in service a little longer and not require labor for an extra year or two then I'm for it. My rods and reels are expensive so I should apply the same thought to the trailer repair I'm thinking.

Northern Hydrauics has some marine grasde aluminum calipers and SS stuff with a new 6000 or 7500# actuator for $459 and $549 I think. Been looking at other web sites all night long. Feel sure I can beet the $1000 + tax fromthe local Magic Tilt dealer with as good or better stuff.

thanks all.

CB

Diamondpilot · Jan 7, 2012

RobertBrown said:
Boatng is an epensive pastime, especially in saltwater. Have you considered a bigger truck so you wont't need trailer brakes?
Are the brakes electric or hydraulic?

No matter how big the truck is brakes are required in most states over 3000# trailer weight. He needs brakes.

Chris

Chain Bender · Jan 7, 2012

Diamondpilot said:
No matter how big the truck is brakes are required in most states over 3000# trailer weight. He needs brakes.

Chris

I believe FL has a 3000# and or tandem axles must have at least one set of working breaks on the fron axle.

Odds are 99 to 1 that I'd never get stopped to see if my trailer brakes worked, BUT driving home on Back Beach Road during Bike Week or all of Spring Break I have to just about ride my break for 7 miles. That is the only stretch of raod that I am remotely concerned about. But I'll gurantee you than 99 out of 100 people wold have Kerrigan, Estes, Rankin and McLeod after my butt. Even ole Ed Walborski couldn't get me out of that charge.

My truck (2005 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel) weighs as much as my boat/trailer +/- a few hundred pounds. I try really hard to leave a considerable distance between me and the vehicle in front of me. But down here on weekends, that's just an invite for someone to cut in on you or cut you depending on how you look at it.

Still looking at parts places. Can't get Tie Down to work right but will keep trying.

Thanks to all for your support.

CB