Best brake system for dual tandem gooseneck trailer

[franklinute]

I have a 15 year old 28' PJ gooseneck trailer. The previous owner added
a 6' dovetail and ramps. I am happy with the trailer but the axle and brake
components need replacing. The axles are Reliable brand recently bought
out by Rockwell. Parts are expensive and my experience with customer
service is not good. I am considering replacing both axles with brand new
Dexter units. Safety and braking are very important to me especially since
the trailer will be loaded heavy for short trips. Dexter makes a 10K axle with
3 3/8" wide brakes, a 10KHD with 4" wide brakes and a 12K with 5" wide
brakes all electric. The magnets get stronger as the capacity gets higher.
How does disc brake setup compare? Is there another option to have good
brakes? I stopped at a good trailer repair shop and the manager said when
all brake parts need replacing plus the labor it is cheaper to put new axles
under the trailer and have everthing brand new.

 

[arkydog]

dexter makes good stuff but expensive in my opinion

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have had about a dozen trailers in my life and 2 of my current 3 trailers have disc. Absolutely no comparison. I would take one axle of disc over 2 or 3 axles of the very best HD drum brakes. So easy to service with and can visually inspect plus breaking in reverse.

As for brands I have had them all. Dexter is good as is Alko and Reliable along with some others.

Chris

 

[HK45]

I agree with Diamondpilot. Once you have disc you won't look back. They do cost more but well worth it.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Disk brakes on a trailer? That's a new one to me. How are they actuated?

I've always understood that disk brakes were better for resisting fade but in reality drums provide better braking force. If that's not accurate, why do dump trucks and tractor trailer still use drum brakes?

 

[franklinute]

Disk brakes on a trailer aka electric over hydraulic will need a master cylinder and
electric motor to pressurize the fluid thru steel lines to the brake calipers. Will a
standard brake controller work with a hydraulic brake system? I have boat trailers
with surge disc brakes and 1 equipment trailer with surge brakes with drums. I have
always gotten good service from surge brakes it takes the electrical connections out
of the equation. I don't run many miles on interstate just stay within 50 miles of
home but up and down lots of hills. I don't mind spending the extra $ if the disc
brakes are that much better. Are there any other forums that discuss these topics.
Any suggestions on where to purchase these components?

 

[RedNeckRacin]

You couldn't give me surge brakes on a trailer. Our heavy trailer is disc brakes and it's smooth as glass and very strong. Disc brakes shed heat so much better than drums. Semis have several means of slowing down. The service brakes are the last resort or low speed option.

 

[Looking4new]

If that's not accurate, why do dump trucks and tractor trailer still use drum brakes?

Strange comment as I have disk brakes on my 2014 Remtec trailers. Disks don't fade when you use them hard like drum brakes do. Unless you prefer hitting Moose and Bear, then you will use them hard.

 

[franklinute]

After doing some internet searches for parts and prices I come up with parts
cost of $4.5k to $5k plus my labor to install. I may just designate this trailer
for farm use only and put that money into a new trailer speced exactly the
way I want.

 

[HK45]

I only had 14,000 gvwr trailer and it was always around $1,500 upgrade from the factory. If I did them myself instead of factory it was always aliitle bit more. Im shocked it would cost 4-5k. Did you check etrailer? I agree just order a new trailer with them on. It won't cost 4-5 for them