Disc brake Retro fit kits

[uwe]

Originally Posted by tcwilliams

For the [what is it, third?] time, I will state "disk brakes are superior". I simply want to know why I want to go through the time & expense of fitting them to my 26' Airstream when I think about the way I treat towing the way I do, and the capabilities of my tow vehicle. Thanks for your response.

I love this place!

Tom

Tom,
Did you not read post # 33, where Brett explains in great detail why disc brakes are superior ?
Andy has limited authority here to plug his products.

Ok, here's what Brett wrote:

They ( disk brakes) are less prone to fade, they can also be inspected without the process of wheel and drum removal. There is a lighter rotating mass that is fully machined so less likelihood of out of balance rotor vs. drum. They have fewer moving parts in the actual brake assembly, and are truly self adjusting, with no mechanical adjuster to get rusted/jammed. The new system is using an electric pump with brake fluid in it so the vacuum is no longer an issue.

additional advantages that I found:

far superior brake feel, no jerking at slow speeds, much quicker cool-down, less fading on long downhill grades.

The brake controller is an issue, because some brake controllers, like the Prodigy, have electronic compensation circuits ( boost etc.) that would not be desirable with the electric/hydraulic actuator.

Of course the brake comounent quality is of paramount importance in thismatter. Many suppliers offer cheap brake conversion kits, with unvented rotors etc. I would assume that Andy as well as Airstream use vented rotors, and high capacity calipers.

One word of caution: high temperature grease must be used in the wheel bearings, as the disc brakes can potentially generate more heat than drum brakes.

[TomW]

Uwe,

I was going to let this thread slide, because Andy apparently wanted the last word although he chose not to answer my direct questions.

Yes I read what Brett said. In fact, I was aware of all those points. I will skip a boring diatribe on realistic factors of safety and just ask if you happened to notice the multiple times I allowed that disk brakes are superior. Everything Brett said was absolutely correct. But, the wheel bearings still have to be repacked every year or 10,000 miles, so everything is coming apart anyway. The running gear must still be balanced even though there is a lighter rotating mass.

I do not believe a conscientious driver needs the added benefits of disk brakes. But, this is a situation where a higher factor of safety has been identified, and it is a losing battle to argue the existing factor of safety is sufficient. The addition of the hydraulic pump does not help with possible modes of failure, however.

I am simply trying to identify if there was a reason that I have not identified which would compell me to swap my drum brakes with disk brakes. I am happy with what I have. If you are ready to do the change, have at it.

Tom

[Over59]

Well Tom, those of us who don't live where the earth is flat until you fall off may have a need for brakes that are more fade resistant. I for one will be putting new axels on my 59 overlander and will be doing dual axels with brakes all around. We it be over kill. Prehaps, but that's better than being killed going down the other side of getting up the mountain. You seem to be having a personal issue with this and need the last word. I compliment Andy on his effrots to bring us the option of disc brakes. I may get them from him or from a local guy who can do Dexter I don't understand what you are so tight about. If you are happy be happy.

[markdoane]

I'm a little concerned about possible failure modes, and the 0.8 second delay for the hydraulic pump. With automotive electronic disc brakes supposedly available in a year or two, I think I'll wait.
People have been going down the other side of the mountain for years with electric brakes. Yeah, some of them have problems. I think situational awareness and knowing your trailer and tow vehicle's braking capability are more important than what type of brakes you have.

[john hd]

i want air brakes! with anti lock!

blue hose red hose, how hard can it be?

john

[Inland RV Center, In]

Markdoane.

There is not an .8 second pump delay.

There is a .8 second rise time to obtain maximum 1400 PSI.

That, is pretty fast.

Andy

[markdoane]

Oops! I was wrong. Thank you for the correction.

[wahoonc]

Andy,
Please let us know when the information gets posted to your website...I have a project coming up that the disc brakes along with new axles maybe the answer too

Aaron

[Over59]

So if my new axels are going to have disc brakes I'll want to replace the current copper hydrolic line before I close in the belly and the floor? I can leave alot on both ends for the later installation. What gauge / type copper tubing should I use and is putting it between the floor and belly the way to go like the original tubing?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Over59

DO NOT USE COPPER TUBING FOR HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES.

Copper will not take 1400 PSI, let alone any safety factor.

We will have the steel line kits available separately, if someone wishes.

Andy

[Silvertwinkie]

Ha Ha Ha! Copper brake lines! LOL!!! I never understood why my vaccuum hoses kept bursting when I tried to modify them to work with my brakes!

My double steel wall brake lines on my Olds finally failed (rusted and got soft) after 25 years of stopin' in the brakes and going through all the salt up here in winter. A soft metal like copper might not rust, but would last all of 5 minutes at that at the brake pressures we are talking about.

I totally agree with Andy....copper is a very bad choice for brake lines.

[Over59]

Glad I asked. Andy does get excited about safety. Thanks.

[Tarheel]

Andy, Trailer Life has just printed an interesting article on disc brakes installed on an older 5th wheel. It gave the braking distances both before and after. Has Airstream or anyone else to the best of your knowledge ever printed this data? I have always felt a little uneasy when the 18 wheelers pass and pull in 10' in front of me at interstate speeds, knowing that if they had to panic stop we would be come one.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Tarheel

Can you e-mail or fax me a copy of that article?

I am not aware of any stopping distance tests comparing electric brakes to disc brakes, run by any company.

However, we all know that disc brake systems are far superior to electric brakes and regular hydraulic brakes.

Perhaps Airstream might run those tests, since they will be offering disc brakes on some of the models.

Andy

[Tarheel]

Andy, Sent an e-mail hope you can read it. I had to print it before I could.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Tarheel.

Thanks for the e-mail.

Unfortunately, it won't print so that you can read it.

I sent you an e-mail with a different request.

Thanks.

Andy

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Perhaps Airstream might run those tests, since they will be offering disc brakes on some of the models.

Andy

Can you be more specific about that comment Andy? Do you know what models? I'd be real interested in what you know Airstream is doing about disc brakes.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Silvertwinkie

It is my understanding that the disc brakes will be on the larger classic models.

When, I don't know, but it is in the works.

Andy