Hyd vs Elec Trailer Brakes

[TractorBob1529]

Bought a used equipment trailer with hyd brakes setup. Set up does not work at the moment. I stripped down the trailer to be redeck and thought should I setup electric brakes or try to fix the hyd brake system?

What are the Pro's and Con's of each braking system for the trailers?

 

[Dmace]

Pros for hydraulic trailer brakes:
Any vehicle can tow it, no brake controller needed. Plus there is no adjustment needed for different loads like an electric brake controller setup.

I still prefer electric brakes for their ease of maintenance, cheap repairs and lighter weight. Plus your buddy can't borrow your trailer because he doesn't have a controller. :thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

I will add that hydraulic brakes can be converted to disc brakes which just like on a car are about 2 times more effective, cheap to maintain, and dead simple.

They also dont seem to fade as much as electric brakes do as they get hot.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

I will add that hydraulic brakes can be converted to disc brakes which just like on a car are about 2 times more effective, cheap to maintain, and dead simple.

Do they have kits for this? I would love to have disc brakes on a heavy equipment trailer!

 

[Morning Wood]

Nothing wrong with hydraulic surge brakes. they are the dominant braking system on boat trailers. If you want to change the brakes to disc which I would recommend go with Kodiak brand. Tie Down is another brand but they aren't as nice. They may be fine is you aren't dipping them in salt water all the time though. Biggest thing with surge brakes is to install the reverse solenoid which will activate a solenoid when your vehicle goes into reverse and the brakes won't work. Otherwise, with good brakes they will lock up. If you switch to electric you most likely may need new axles. Don't really know for sure on that but it is my gut feeling.

 

[bcp]

Southwest Wheel Company - Disc Brake Kits

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Trailer_Brakes.aspx

Bruce

 

[Diamondpilot]

Do they have kits for this? I would love to have disc brakes on a heavy equipment trailer!

Yep, do it all the time. I have done it to all my trailers except my car haul trailer which has 3.5K axles and electric brakes on only one axle. They are so effective that you can not back up a 7,000# trailer on a slight grade like the average suburban driveway with a 4x4 truck in low range. You will just sit and smoke the tires.

I install backup lock out solenoids on all that I convert on the back side of the master cylinder and then wire it to the center pin of the 7 round plug which should coordinate to the reverse lights on the tow vehicle. The solenoid runs about $40 blocks the flow of fluid from the master cylinder whenever the tow vehicle is put into reverse. I had to wire it up so my tractors can activate it also because there is no way you can push a medium sized boat backwards with even a 50 HP tractor.

The kits I buy are made by Kodiak and Tie Down. I like the Kodiak the best but both are good. I have never converted a 3.5K axle but have done lots of 5,2K, 6K, and 7K axles. The last project I did was about a month ago and it was $219 per axle to my door for Kodiak's with all parts for a 6K axle.

No need for new axles. Axles are axles.

By the way when looking at disc brakes I only buy the type like that are found on the front end of trucks, ect. Where the disc simply slides over the studs on a idler hub. They also make them where the disc and hub are all one part. Pain in the arse in my opinion. Who wants to take off the hub with the bearings and seal to do a brake job??? I dont understand why they sell them this way?

Chris

 

[Egon]

Are the towing vehicle brake systems adaquate to support the additional braking?

ABS, Traction control?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Are the towing vehicle brake systems adaquate to support the additional braking?

ABS, Traction control?

Not sure you follow us here. The trailer has its own seperate master cylinder to support itself.

Chris

 

[Egon]

OK, now I understand.:thumbsup: