Them's the brakes--Trailer Brake Questions

J

Jim Marshall

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 14, 2007
Messages
172
I have an old Calkins trailer with brakes that need repair. I have heard that the disk brakes are better, except I heard they lock up when backing up.

Can anyone give me sources, tips, recommendations for my hydraulic surge brake project?

Jim
 
U

Utahboatnut

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
Messages
785
Re: Them's the brakes--Trailer Brake Questions

If the disk breaks are wired properly they back up fine. You need the reverse lockout solinoid which locks out the brakes when the reverse lights of the tow vechicle come on. Its a five flat instead of a four flat connector. Or you can rebuild the setup you have now, I wanted the disks because of all the great things I have heard about them. After some research on just what I would have had to do and the $$$ I would have needed to spend I opted for the rebuild of my surge drums and they have worked fine since, and was 1/3 of what the disks would have been. That included new master cyl. new pre assembled backing plates, and I didn't have to cut my acuator off as it was welded on from the factory.
 
D

diesel5599

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 4, 2006
Messages
169
Re: Them's the brakes--Trailer Brake Questions

I went through a brake rebuild 3yrs ago. From my research back then, disc brakes do not work as well as drums if the boat is below about 24'. Disc brakes need more pressure from the actuator to be as effective as drums which means the boat needs to be heavier to exert enough pressure on the brakes to actuate them.

I would definitely prefer disc brakes over drums if you boat in salt water. I have had to replace the drum kits about every 2yrs due to salt water corrosion. I would assume disc brakes would last longer due to being easier to fresh water rinse.

Also, you will have the backing up problem with both disc or drums. For the kits I buy, before backing up, you just put a lockout pin in the tongue and it disables the brakes. This is convenient since all I have is a 4 wire trailer harness.
 
R

reelnative

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Mar 28, 2010
Messages
92
Re: Them's the brakes--Trailer Brake Questions

your throwing your money away on drum brakes spend a little more and get sst disk brakes and install a flush kit on them ive had my sst disc brakes for 6yrs now and not one problem, plus down here in fla its the law that you have disc brakes on each axle of your trailer
 
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