Need stronger brakes, what can I do?

[North to Alaska]

I壇 be more inclined to use that $2000 to trade up for a new trailer.

No but assuming the resale is 80-90 percent an additional 2 k would go a long way.

We can compromise.
Get a new trailer with the the electric over hydraulic already on...
PJ Trailers Hydraulic Disc Trailer Brakes

 

[4570Man]

Anybody want to order a kit for a 10,000 pound axel and ship me the old drums? On a more serious note has anyone looked into building a set from vehicle parts? It wouldn’t cost nearly $2000 to buy 4 rotors and calipers for a truck.

 

[North to Alaska]

A good electric/hydraulic kit costs $800 on etrailer. Rotors and pads are cheaper than drum replacement.

 

[oliver1555]

Having an accident because your 14k trailer that is hauling 10k worth of tractor while using cheap drum brakes is even more expensive.

I was not aware dexter axles had cheap brakes.

 

[North to Alaska]

I will reiterate that I have never used an electric over hydraulic before. But those who have say it is a huge improvement.
I plan on purchasing a 14k trailer (prob an EBY). I WILL have this set-up for it. With that much weight, I want it to be able to stop as quickly as possible.

 

[oliver1555]

A good electric/hydraulic kit costs $800 on etrailer. Rotors and pads are cheaper than drum replacement.

You still have to buy the pump and other accessories, pay tax and shipping, putting total cost upwards of $2000. Not knocking disk brakes at all. But, Dexter axles and drum brakes are very capable. If they are not doing the job, it is time to troubleshoot.

 

[LouNY]

You still have to buy the pump and other accessories, pay tax and shipping, putting total cost upwards of $2000. Not knocking disk brakes at all. But, Dexter axles and drum brakes are very capable. If they are not doing the job, it is time to troubleshoot.

It wasn't very long ago that drum brakes on all four corners of your car or pickup were good enough;
also most over the the road tractors did not have any front brakes and that was good enough.
Now most everything has disc brakes and the rotors keep getting bigger.
I know that I have no desire to go back to drum brakes on my vehicles,
so why are they good enough for a trailer.
With speeds and loads people seem to want to pull with a pickup and the tow ratings being waved about by the manufactures,
I would like to see the same improvements in trailer brakes, of course I always liked surge brakes.

 

[ovrszd]

You still have to buy the pump and other accessories, pay tax and shipping, putting total cost upwards of $2000. Not knocking disk brakes at all. But, Dexter axles and drum brakes are very capable. If they are not doing the job, it is time to troubleshoot.

I agree.

I have a cheap time sensitive controller in my truck. I have to run it on 3 or less to keep from sliding the wheels on my empty dual wheel 10K Dexter axled 28+4 GN trailer that weighs 6,900 lbs.

 

[4570Man]

It wasn't very long ago that drum brakes on all four corners of your car or pickup were good enough;
also most over the the road tractors did not have any front brakes and that was good enough.
Now most everything has disc brakes and the rotors keep getting bigger.
I know that I have no desire to go back to drum brakes on my vehicles,
so why are they good enough for a trailer.
With speeds and loads people seem to want to pull with a pickup and the tow ratings being waved about by the manufactures,
I would like to see the same improvements in trailer brakes, of course I always liked surge brakes.

Drums are on almost all medium and heavy duty trucks. The few medium duty trucks with hydraulic disk did so to avoid CDL restrictions not because they’re better. My ton truck has rear drums and they work fine. It’s a massive drum not some crap you can hold in your hand. My previous 10 ton trailer with drums had fantastic brakes. It would lock down with my backhoe on it. I’ve never seen a road tractor without front brakes. What’s you definition of not long ago? Like 50s model stuff?

 

[ovrszd]

70s. Not sure about 80s.