boat trailer calipers vs auto

[Stinnett21]

I've worked on the calipers for my boat trailer but never on automotive calipers. Due to the fact that boat trailer calipers are routinely dunked in water I was wondering if the boots for the slider bolts were made more water proof than their auto counterparts. If they are indeed tighter and more robust wouldn't this mean they would need to be lubed more often?

 

[tpenfield]

My trailer has HydraStar brake calipers on all 6 wheels. According to the manufacturer's information - the piston, the mounting bolts, and slide bushings are stainless steel.

The caliper bodies are "Dacromet" coated for rust protection, but I have found that they rust regardless, and the brake calipers are partially seized. It may be the slide bolts/bushings.

So, I'm not sure if they are more robust than the automotive equivalents or not. They certainly need to be lubricated more often IMO and experience, as I'll be rebuilding the calipers over the winter.

 

[dingbat]

I have Kodiak disc on my trailer.
Started with "Dacromet" rotors and calipers. Switched to KodaGuard calipers when the pistons seized a few years back.

The sliders are stainless and ride inside a rubber bushing. Made it 4 years until the bushings wore enough to trap a bit of moisture. New bushings and a bit of silicon grease made them like new again.

 

[tpenfield]

I have Kodiak disc on my trailer.
Started with "Dacromet" rotors and calipers. Switched to KodaGuard calipers when the pistons seized a few years back.

The sliders are stainless and ride inside a rubber bushing. Made it 4 years until the bushings wore enough to trap a bit of moisture. New bushings and a bit of silicon grease made them like new again.

Did you find the Kodaguard held up better? I dunk in salt water a couple time a year. After a couple of years, the HydraStar calipers were not having it.

 

[dingbat]

Did you find the Kodaguard held up better? I dunk in salt water a couple time a year. After a couple of years, the HydraStar calipers were not having it.

Unless you go with a set of Kodiak stainless calipers, the outside protective coating is meaning less. Both will seize if moisture gets past the piston seal causing rust in the bore.

The outside of the Dacromet calipers held up well. Little rust here and there but nothing worth complaining about. Made it 6-7 years before the piston seal failed (dry rot) and the piston seized. Replaced with kadaguard calipers for monetary considerations only.

New Loadrite trailer came with Knott, zinc plated disc brakes.
We will see how they hold up