I find the superior braking performance of disc-brake system attractive...
That having said, I see 2 (minor) disadvantages.
1) I have to make space for the actuator, meaning I need to give up some storage space from interior (probably under the front gaucho?)
2) I need to change and bleed the brake fluid (nasty!) every few years. I have to find a way to pump out the old fluid and also bleed out from all (2/4/6) calipers...
imo these 2 issues are WORTH it IF u tow much or drive in the mountains.
-i got 50,000 miles on the first set of brake pads and even then they were at 90% of the oem depth when changed.
-the actuator on my 34 is UP FRONT and works great in that location.
the tongue of a 34 is about as LONG as any line running and again works fine.
-i think OUTSIDE is a better location for the fluid reservoir because of maintenance issues.
do any cars have the master cylinder IN the passenger compartment?
-and bleeding is EASY because the reservoir is SO BIG...
one may attach a (lisle) FUNNEL designed for brake fluid changes on TOP as well.
with a vacuum gauge or "power bleeder" it becomes a one person job to do the fluid.
just use a DIFFERENT COLOR fluid every other time, and watch for the color change at the bleeder nut.
-and it is SO MUCH easier to inspect the pads and brake parts WITHOUT needing to pop open a hub.
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still LOTS of folks love their drum brakes and do fine with them.
but i really really like the discs.
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honestly with a/s production a ONE (or 2) classics a month, i'm not sure the guys on the line get enough practice now.
MY preference would be to roll the trailer over to the service shop and have dave's boys to the work...
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the wheel compatibility issue was SOLVED in 2006, that's old news.
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yes actibrake is OUT OF BUSINESS but other actuators are available.
and while I LIKE the kodiak stuff on my unit DEXTER also makes disc components...
in fact the ASSEMBLY LINE has been using dexter since 06, while the SERVICE center uses kodiak stuff.
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with the calls about "oh my oh my actibrake" and the PRESSURE TO PRICE them better,
it's no surprise the disc trial only lasted 4 years.
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the BIG question is this...
IS a/s gonna LOWER the price on classics NOW????
the disc upgrade was 4-5k originally, so it would seem PRICES should come down to refect that...
wanna bet they don't??
always keep yer eYe on the ball and cups and shify fast hands (or keyboard)
cheers
2air'
__________________ all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.johnson
we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
I find the superior braking performance of disc-brake system attractive...
That having said, I see 2 (minor) disadvantages.
1) I have to make space for the actuator, meaning I need to give up some storage space from interior (probably under the front gaucho?)
2) I need to change and bleed the brake fluid (nasty!) every few years. I have to find a way to pump out the old fluid and also bleed out from all (2/4/6) calipers.
With regular elecro-magnetic drum brakes, the maintenance is much easier and quicker: 1. wirebrush off crud/dirt, 2. check/adjust shoe clearance, 3. check/swap return springs.
I stuck the brake unit in one of my Airstreams misshaped not very useful anyway cabinets that happened to be over a wheel well. Simple, easy and out of the way.
Replacing brake fluid is so easy with the hand vacuum pump system. Just hook it up to the bleeder and drain away and refill.
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I have a loaded Airstream trailer and I'm not afraid to use it!
I found a nice bracket, which would possibly let me mount the actuator below the floor-board level (perhaps under the closet in mid-corridor, or perhaps perhaps maybe under the shower pan?).
BTW & FYI, the testing shows of typical 1-second delay for the disc brake to pressurize and engage..., is it possible electro-magnetic drums do engage quicker (almost at the speed of light?)
Say, I notice something in front of me. Say, it takes typically 0.2 sec for me to step-on the pedal. Another additional 1-sec delay for the actuator to pressurize means the total of 1.2 sec; it seems awfully too long (?!)
We're on our fourth Actibrake actuator and want to purchase a 'spare' for when the current actuator fails.
You fit the Carlisle unit - I've looked at this and it is only 1/2" shorter than the box in which the Actibrake unit is housed.
Is this why you fit the Carlisle unit in some other location?
John in the UK
John.
Perhaps things are different in the UK.
In America today, what belongs to you, might suddenly belong to another person.
That being said, mounting a disc brake actuator, in plain sight, or even in a box on the A frame, can easily be tempting to be stolen, by someone who also wants disc brakes "on the cheap".
In our usually beautiful country, people steal highway guard rails, underground community wiring, central air conditioners, and many other things as well.
Installing an "actuator" within the trailer, does 2 things. First, it's out of sight and second, it's out of the weather.
Installing it properly, in an access compartment, does not restrict the ability to service it, when necessary.
I have made these statements, knowing full well, that someone, much higher in life than me, will probably criticize and throw rocks at those reasons.
1. Yes, but 12 inch disc brakes cannot be installed in place of 10 inch electric brakes.
So, when I go to buy new axels next year, and I want to change to disk brakes instead of electric brakes, I would order axels without any brakes at all, right? And this kit would work on my 72 Sovereign?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In
3. Absolutely, even if someone also adds the Centramatic balancers.
Thanks - I was wondering about using the Centramatic balancers as well, but I forgot to ask that.
Thanks for response. Things are no different in the UK. But, out of 60 million people I think there's only me that knows what a brake actuator is and what it does (don't know of another Classic with disc brakes in the country), and also being full timers we are always around, so theft isn't an issue.
So, when our fourth Actibrake actuator fails, I'll have to fit a Dexter unit because the Carlisle unit won't fit in the A frame box.
I think I misunderstood in my initial post. In my mind I was just thinking the factory and service is all one in the same and not putting disc brakes on any production Airstreams meant any or all Airstreams produced. I don't quite have the whole picture and the Airstream-Speak down pat.
Sorry Andy. Thanks for clearing up that my disc brakes are not a safety risk. I was also worried about that that might have been a reason Airstream stopped installing them.
But I bet it is more along the lines of few units having them installed and diminishing returns on the line expertise and cost cutting measures as 2Air pointed out. I thought those were good points too.
__________________ Carol
There are exactly as many special occasions in life as we choose to celebrate.
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I don't quite have the whole picture and the Airstream-Speak down pat. 
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