Replacing brakes, few questions

[Flynny]

I'm planning to replace my trailer's barely-working drum brake system with surge disc brakes. It's time for them to go.

I would like to get Kodiak disc brakes after seeing almost everyone recommend them. We launch in brackish water so corrosion is a concern, but as long as I'm diligent with washing the trailer after coming home, non-stainless parts should be ok for a few years right? Will this kit work? I believe I have a 3,500LB axle with 10 inch drums and a 14 inch hub, but I took some pictures for confirmation.

As far as the coupler, there are so many different manufacturers and designs, I wanted your opinions on which are the easiest to use and work the best.

Pictures: (this is the good side)
http://puu.sh/tkph
http://puu.sh/tkp5
http://puu.sh/tkpK
http://puu.sh/tkpu

The rim size is a little confusing because the tire says to mount on a 14 inch rim, and later says do not mount on 14.5in. But my measure showed 15 inches across the rim, where is the rim measured from?

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Replacing brakes, few questions

Confirm wheel size by reading tire size information on tire sidewall. Yours probably says 205/75R14. The last two digits indicate wheel size.

If you go with disc brakes, you'll have to convert trailer wiring from four pin to five pin to accommodate the solenoid you'll have to add to your trailer brake system. The solenoid is energized when the tow vehicle is put in reverse and prevents brake pressure from being applied while backing the trailer.

Dico couplers seem to be popular. The Dico 60Z for disc brakes includes the solenoid mentioned above.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Replacing brakes, few questions

Confirm wheel size by reading tire size information on tire sidewall. Yours probably says 205/75R14. The last two digits indicate wheel size.

If you go with disc brakes, you'll have to convert trailer wiring from four pin to five pin to accommodate the solenoid you'll have to add to your trailer brake system. The solenoid is energized when the tow vehicle is put in reverse and prevents brake pressure from being applied while backing the trailer.

Dico couplers seem to be popular. The Dico 60Z for disc brakes includes the solenoid mentioned above.

^^^ #1 ^^^

Just did the same thing. Trailer is 20 years old and the drums / backing plates / brake parts were junk. Trailer has the Titan 10 surge coupler, so I bought the Titan / Dico MC for disc brakes and it was a bolt on job. Had to add the reverse lockout solenoid, but opted for the normally closed "bypass type", needing to drill / tap a return line fitting into the MC and converted trailer wiring to match the 7 pin connector on my truck. All in all, the conversion was a simple bolt on job, even adding the disc brakes to the 2nd axle, since the axle had the flanges on it already. You'll need to add flex brake lines between the steel axle lines and the calipers, as they move and the solid lines would hinder the required movement.

The brake assy's were the Kodiak 10" assy's for the 3500 lb axles w/ a 5 lug on 4 1/2" pattern (has 14" wheels also).

99% of my launches are in fresh water, so I went w/ the e-coat parts and when I do the occasional dunk in brackish water, a good flushing with fresh water and maybe some salt away should be OK to keep the parts clean. The Kodiak kit comes w/ ceramic pads that they guarantee for life and will replace free of charge if they go bad, so they say.

All in all, was a reletively easy job, but was more expensive due to the 2nd axle addition and I used all S/S 3AN flex lines at calipers, axles and MC (the S/S flex parts were almost as much $$$$ as the 2nd axle kit ). To just do a single axle, price is very competetive to just renewing the drums, so it's a no-brainer to upgrade, in my eyes, to get the added performance of disc over drums.. Adding the disc brakes to the 2nd axle also, made braking phenominal for the 6,000 lb rig.

 

[Flynny]

Re: Replacing brakes, few questions

Confirm wheel size by reading tire size information on tire sidewall. Yours probably says 205/75R14. The last two digits indicate wheel size.

If you go with disc brakes, you'll have to convert trailer wiring from four pin to five pin to accommodate the solenoid you'll have to add to your trailer brake system. The solenoid is energized when the tow vehicle is put in reverse and prevents brake pressure from being applied while backing the trailer.

Dico couplers seem to be popular. The Dico 60Z for disc brakes includes the solenoid mentioned above.

Yea it says ST215/75R14 so they are 14 inch. I like the Titan Dico 60 series, I haven't found the Z model though, I just have to look harder. Is the Z the blocking solenoid or dump? I'd prefer the dump one because we back our boat uphill into the driveway. And I'm good for the 5 pin, our new car has a 7 pin connector.

Thanks for the info 04fxdwgi. I wasn't aware I needed the flex lines but it makes sense. What were the lines you were talking about though, are they really
high quality ones?

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Replacing brakes, few questions

The Dico 60Z is an uprated (7,000lb vs 6000lb) version of the 60. I am unsure of solenoid operation. I'll be finding out soon. One will be delivered on Thursday to replace my existing coupler.