hydraulic brakes

[dwightdi]

Andy, Thanks for agreeing with me. Any trailer that is still out there with 30 years of abuse on these brake parts should have this system removed. You can either replace it with an electric brake system for about $400 or go to one of the new design disc brake systems for considerably more. Brakes are a very important part of the overall safety system and you should make sure they will work when you need them or you could be risking your rig and your life.

[Coastalview]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

depending of TRUCK/trailer combo this has been tried/measured ...

an f-250 plus stream stop in shorter distances that the f-250 solo.

there was an article in trailer life? 5-6 years ago that looked at this issue

cheers
2air'

I'd like to find that article. Having a F250 and a 28 footer my experience has been positive.
My trailer has the old style disc brakes. Proper inspection, maintenance and use not abuse is key. I wouldn't have electric brakes on anything. Drum brakes are old technology too. When my factory brakes are no longer serviceable, discs will be the replacement. Sure these early style discs have inherit design flaws and so does my Prius.
Something about a wire and a magnet to control friction in a rotating device makes me nervous. If it's so great,why hasn't the automotive industry adopted it yet? (I'm not talking regenerative braking like the little import above ether)
Hydraulicdiscs are here to stay, Airstream got an early start with this idea.
Many years over the road as a commercial heavy equipment transport driver puts this in perspective for me. 7 to 9 axles worth of drum type brakes.
I've seen enough of what they do and don't perform!

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by Coastalview

...............................................

Hydraulicdiscs are here to stay, ................................................

I don't think so.

I'm sure eventually they will be replaced by Hyperbolic Magnetic Depermeators with beam deflection actuators.

Mark my words.

Regards,

Ken

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by w7ts

I don't think so.

I'm sure eventually they will be replaced by Hyperbolic Magnetic Depermeators with beam deflection actuators.

Mark my words.

Regards,

Ken

Could be, but they will probably be made in China.

Andy

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Could be, but they will probably be made in China.

Andy

Well, the way the economy has been going, the cheap labor pool may be in the US by that time.

Ken

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Could be, but they will probably be made in China.

Andy

[rexcowart]

Originally Posted by dwightdi

I had the old Hydraulic disc brakes on my 77. Nothing but problems on the road. No one has parts or can service them. There is also a fatigue crack flaw that develops in the welding of the caliper holders. I dumped them and went electric. Good enough for 30,000 miles behind a 3/4 ton van. Maybe the new disk brake systems are better now but I would not fool around trying to get the old ones to stay working.

Can you explain how you went about changing it all out and where you got the parts? Thanks.

[dwightdi]

It is very simple and can be done in an afternoon. I bought my first conversion parts from Kelsy Hayes. I think Dexter is a better choice now. My latest parts were bought from them. You have to buy new drums and backing plates. ($400 for tandem trailer) Quite heavy to ship and therefore more expense. The backing plates bolt to the axles without modification. The drums fit the axles and have new bearings provided. You just have to make up wiring to get from the umbilical to the brakes. I used 10 gauge wire. Remove the hydraulic lines and actuator. If you want to maintain discs, Dexter sells complete system.