Disk - no question about it! I had the Kodiak disk brake system installed on my 67 Caravel by the Airstream dealer in Weatherford, Tx. David Tidmore, the manager who is DTBW on this forum said that I wouldn't believe the difference and that was an understatement. I use the Prodigy brake controller and the the stopping is so controlled and precise you can't tell there is a trailer behind you. I'll never have another drum brake system after having this setup.
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Paul & Annie
"No matter where you go, there you are..."
WBCCI #7162
Charter Member - Heart of Texas Camping Unit
AIR #1565
You will NOT go wrong with the Kodiak disc brake package! The function of a trailer brake is to stop - I am yet to test a braking system with as good of results stopping as the Kodiak.
We had the 34-tripple axle converted to Kodiak disc a year ago. The Airstream now has more brake power that the Excursion! We have no fade when Decending from the mountains in Colorado. It priceless to have this feeling and control!
Disk - no question about it! I had the Kodiak disk brake system installed on my 67 Caravel by the Airstream dealer in Weatherford, Tx. David Tidmore, the manager who is DTBW on this forum said that I wouldn't believe the difference and that was an understatement. I use the Prodigy brake controller and the the stopping is so controlled and precise you can't tell there is a trailer behind you. I'll never have another drum brake system after having this setup.
Paul:
Did you substitute the dics brakes for the original drum brakes on your existing axle? Or did you buy a new axle with the disc brake set up installed on it? What axle are you running under your '67 Caravel, original or a replacement axle? Thanks for more details.
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Fred Coldwell, WBCCI #1510, AIR #2675
Denver, Colorado - WBCCI Unit 24
Charter Associate Member FCU
Vintage Airstream Club Historian
Airstream Life "Old Aluminum Adventures"
Did you substitute the dics brakes for the original drum brakes on your existing axle? Or did you buy a new axle with the disc brake set up installed on it? What axle are you running under your '67 Caravel, original or a replacement axle? Thanks for more details.
Hi Fred - I ordered a new axle last fall from Inland with the drum brakes. It is the 3,000# factory replacement which had 10" drum brakes. The axle was already installed and I had probably 1,000 miles on it when it was converted. The conversion was pretty straight forward as far as I know. I saw the installation going in and there weren't any modifications required. They (Roger Williams Airstream) installed new bearings and seals with the new rotors. The pump and reservoir are located in the coach under the front seating area next to the water pump. I didn't have to change the wheels or anything else. The first trip out was a few weeks ago to Cuchara, CO and then to Padre Island here in Texas over the 4th weekend. Through all of those miles and differing driving conditions I never had to mess with the adjustment on the Prodigy - it is set at 6.1. I've had to brake hard a time or two and the brakes responded as smoothly as the tow vehicles brakes. No grabbing or anything. Interestingly enough, the Caravel has enough brake power to stop 4 Caravels. According to David, the brakes are rated at 6,000# ea.
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Paul & Annie
"No matter where you go, there you are..."
WBCCI #7162
Charter Member - Heart of Texas Camping Unit
AIR #1565
Hi All
Has anyone converted over to the 12" Kodiak disk brakes and used the Alcoa slotted mag wheels from the 70's? I have done the change, and am not finished with the plumbing yet but I ran into some clearance issues with the mags rubbing on the calipers.
I tried some steel wheels I had and they have plenty of clearance. I was wondering if anyone else has run into this.
I am really looking forward to having them finished and working.
Thanks
Mike B
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Mike B
1977 23' Safari
1976 31' Sovereign
1996 F350 CC PSD
I can't help with your issue however my 34' came from the factory with 15" American Racing wheels so fit had already been addressed.
Over the years, I have had peridoic fit/clearance problems with cars, playing with tires sizes has backfired on me so anything with wheels would be fair game for a good fit.
The Kodiak specifications for the “Airstream” style disc brakes (5200#-6000# capacity) specify a 15” or larger wheel will work. Mike’s wheels were 15” and he still had a slight rub. This to me shows that variations can exist amongst 15” wheels (different per wheel manufacturer). Like Mike, I am curious about the older Airstream style wheels as well.
Maybe there is a slight difference in the offset of the wheel hub. I know when I was ordering new wheels for the Caravel there were some choices of offset.
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Paul & Annie
"No matter where you go, there you are..."
WBCCI #7162
Charter Member - Heart of Texas Camping Unit
AIR #1565
Disk - no question about it! I had the Kodiak disk brake system installed on my 67 Caravel by the Airstream dealer in Weatherford, Tx. David Tidmore, the manager who is DTBW on this forum said that I wouldn't believe the difference and that was an understatement. I use the Prodigy brake controller and the the stopping is so controlled and precise you can't tell there is a trailer behind you. I'll never have another drum brake system after having this setup.
Like Paul, I'm also having the Kodiak disk brakes installed at the Weatherford, TX dealer. If anyone is considering a new unit or any kind of work I'd highly recommend them. David Tidmore and his team does outstanding quality work. They're doing some custom work for me & I'll post some pics in a few weeks when it's all done.
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"would you rather have a mansion full of money or a trailer full of love?"
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Disc!
so anything with wheels would be fair game for a good fit.
Wheels, wheels, wheels?!
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