Disc brake Retro fit kits

[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