Sick of Surge Brakes

[oldballs]

Again, out of the clear blue, a wheel locked up without warning. Another tire ruined and a PITA. After 15 years of dealing with this random failure and ruined tires and service bills, I'd like to change the whole thing over to disc brakes. What do you all think? Is it possible? I can ask some trailer dealers when I get to it. Heck, buying tires and the concomitant grief is more vexing than a whole new system....that is, something that is dependable.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Even disc brakes can cause problems on a trailer.

I suggest that you talk to a couple trailer manufacturers or repair shops and get a price on new axles with good old electric drum brakes. Then put a controller on your tow vehicle. You're done, for thousands of miles.

 

[Coyote machine]

Trailerpartssuperstore.com has everything & more.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have converted 2 of my 3 trailers to disc. They are awesome.

Chris

 

[biker4jc]

I have a couple of trailers with electric brakes ........... love 'em! Gotta keep the contacts clean, but then that's the case with all trailer plugs. One of the trailers is a 7000# 4 horse gooseneck, it'll push the truck around a bit when it's loaded and the brakes don't work.

 

[bajabum]

I recently added drum brakes to a bare bones cargo trailer, new hubs & drums.
Hardest part was crawling around underneath doing the wiring.
IIRC, less than $300.

 

[oldballs]

Thanks again, TBN'ers. This has come up before and your were helpful. This is a dual axle equipment (skidloader) hauler, and really sits low, as commented. But I've been under there so many times, I'm getting comfortable with that. As Bigfoot noted, what could be a problem with disc brakes as a replacement? I guess I should have titled this thread as "sick of drum brakes".

 

[jejeosborne]

Thanks again, TBN'ers. This has come up before and your were helpful. This is a dual axle equipment (skidloader) hauler, and really sits low, as commented. But I've been under there so many times, I'm getting comfortable with that. As Bigfoot noted, what could be a problem with disc brakes as a replacement? I guess I should have titled this thread as "sick of drum brakes".

I converted my boat trailers surge brakes to electric. It was an easy conversion. I was even able to use the stock drum. Just had to buy the plate with the electric pads and weld up the coupler so it doesn't pivot. I would imagine the conversion to disk would be simple as well but more expensive.

As far as the wiring, just use you skid steer and lift up one side and run the wiring while standing.

 

[oldballs]

Thanks, Je Je. I just ordered (yesterday) all the parts to convert to electric. The Redi-Haul trailer people are real helpful on the phone and quite patient with me as a DIY'er. It's gonna cost about $300 bucks. Your input gives me a good feeling about this.
Cheer,
Mike

 

[jejeosborne]

Thanks, Je Je. I just ordered (yesterday) all the parts to convert to electric. The Redi-Haul trailer people are real helpful on the phone and quite patient with me as a DIY'er. It's gonna cost about $300 bucks. Your input gives me a good feeling about this.
Cheer,
Mike

$300? Must be stepping to the plate and installing the disc. Either way, packing the wheel bearings is the worse part of the job. You will like the electric over the surge and plus they will work while backing down the ramp.