BRAKE-RITE II SD or BRAKE-RITE EHB

[Dwight]

My ActiBrake unit failed and I am looking at the Brake-Rite unit.

Does anyone have any experience with the unit and which model do you prefer?

[Dwight]

I have ordered the Brake-Rite EHB after doing some research and talking to several people in the business. The SD is the identical unit with the exception the circuit board is a separate module unit.

[Dwight]

Got home last night and found the Brake-Rite EHB on the front porch.....spent today replacing the ActiBrake unit with the new Brake-Rite EHB.

I was surprised that everything matched up including the wiring and hydraulic brake line.

Now just have to bleed the lines when it gets warmer!!!

[Flying Gypsies]

We are buying a 2006 Classic 31 and the brakes have not yet been inspected. Was your failure covered on the recall and if so, did they cover the one that you replaced it with? If not, what did it cost you to replace with the brakerite?

[Dwight]

I am dealing with Dave Schumann at Airstream and the dealer that performed the work. The original recall was on units that came from the factory with disc brakes. I contend that if an authorized dealer performed the work they should also cover those trailers as well.

Roger Williams Airstream, an authorized Airstream Dealer and Service Center installed the ActiBrake unit, and the Kodiak hydraulic disc brakes in 2007 (which is during the recall time period).

I spoke to the Kodiak folks they recommended the Brake-Rite unit. My son and I installed the unit without any problems. The best price I found on-line was $549.95 at Pacific Trailers and it was drop shipped from the mfgr.

[Flying Gypsies]

Thanks for the info. I will keep this in mind after we have the brakes checked out. From what I have been reading, I think replacing with a reliable unit BEFORE it fails would be worth it's weight in anxiety free towing.

[Dwight]

Our ActiBrake failed sitting in our driveway and the only way I could shut the unit off was to disconnect the electrical plug at the back of the unit.

I did a lot of research before choosing the Brake-Rite.....we just finished a 10~day trip and the unit worked better than the ActiBrake ever did....

[Dwight]

Just a few photos of my install. The Brake-Rite unit is taller than the other units and I had to make an aluminum cover for the box.

[BJREED]

I have pulled a 34 footer over 100k miles. Installed a brake rite unit 6000 mi ago and it works ok with prodogy controller. They should never put hydraulics on these trailers! Myself and othrers have had failures and when the lines brake you loose all trailer brakes (a/s dumb idea) and you are at your trucks mercy. You must be very vigilant of the condition of the flexable lines and fittings (i blew a fitting!) luckly i was in florida...had i been in serious mountains it could have been unnerving to say the least. To anyone considering buying a unit with hydraulic brakes i suggest you reconsider.

Friends have dexter 1000's and they also work.

Never lube electric self adjusting are the best answer at present.