New Trailer Disc Brakes. - Page 2

Silvertwinkie · 02-02-2005, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfisher

With Airstream now putting both the upgraded axles and the disc brakes on the 2005 Classics, this sounds to me like 2 significant improvements over prior year models...now that I just saw the prices for the disc brakes, however, I'll have to give some more thought about giving up my firstborn to get them.

John

I agree, they are two significant improvements and it will add to the value of the coach and differentiate it from other brands further. One question that has come up about the upgraded axles was the frame. With all that "extra" NCC possible, will the frame still be a happy camper. To play the other side of the fence though, I couldn't see loading a coach up to the new limits....the new limits IMHO are fairly generous.

Regardless, it's a nice direction to take, and if we upgrade to a Classic in the future, I'll be looking forward to the upgrades.

Mike Lewis · 02-02-2005, 09:42 AM

Question?? Do all 2005 classics come equipped with disc brakes standard? We have a 25' Classic in transit from the factory and hope to take delivery this weekend, The salesman never mentioned this during our conversation. This would be pleasant surprise. Pieman

Mike Lewis · 02-02-2005, 10:22 AM

Additional info here an disc brakes.----I couldn't stand to not know if my 25' clasic would have the new brake system so I called the factory. Was told "the disc brkes are on hold for 6 to8 weeks". At first I was a little dissappointed then I remembered my days in the automobile busness where the manufactures would come out with something new then have to sort the "bugs" out fo it for the first model year. No doubt disc are better than drum but now that I think about it I'm happy with what I have coming.-----Pieman

LLB21 · 02-02-2005, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

I remembered my days in the automobile busness where the manufactures would come out with something new then have to sort the "bugs" out fo it for the first model year. Pieman

I agree. I like the wait and see approach before I try something new to the market. If they go over big then repairs, parts, etc. will be readily available when traveling.

Enjoy your new trailer!

Inland RV Center, In · 02-02-2005, 12:01 PM

There are no bugs to work out.

The system parts have been available to the market for some time. The "interest" is new.

However, the wait and see what happens, will cost more money.

There is a steel shortage, and almost everything we buy that's has steel parts, now has a surcharge.

Axles, as an example has an 18 percent surcharge, and it's getting worse. The next increase will cause us to raise the prices on axles.

The same will hold true for the disc brake kits.

Not us, not them, but the steel suppliers are in a bind, and there seems to be no end in sight.

Andy

Silvertwinkie · 02-02-2005, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

There are no bugs to work out.

The system parts have been available to the market for some time. The "interest" is new.

However, the wait and see what happens, will cost more money.

There is a steel shortage, and almost everything we buy that's has steel parts, now has a surcharge.

Axles, as an example has an 18 percent surcharge, and it's getting worse. The next increase will cause us to raise the prices on axles.

The same will hold true for the disc brake kits.

Not us, not them, but the steel suppliers are in a bind, and there seems to be no end in sight.

Andy

Those pesky Chinese!

I've heard that steel and lumber have gone up dramatically now that folks are no longer living in caves round there.

Sheets of plywood that once cost $12-$15 are now war bucks!

Wanna play, gotta pay I suppose.

Inland RV Center, In · 02-02-2005, 01:53 PM

Xray.

Unfortunately, that company is selling an actuator that has not been approved, since it doesn't meet SAE standards.

The ActiBrake is the only electric/hydraulic actuator available that is manufactured to SAE J 1455 standards.

However, as always, someone will come up with a cheaper system, such as they have.

The real key, is Airstream doesn't use top quality products, just to be different.

They spend considerable money researching any product or component that they use in production. They could as others have, chose to go the cheap route, and save money. In doing so, they also cheapen the coach as well as compromise safety. That's a "no no" in their books.

Unfortunately, some folks don't believe the wheel is here to stay, as they are always looking for a way to reinvent it. After all, we wouldn't need a parking brake if we would use square tires and wheels.

Andy

Silvertwinkie · 02-02-2005, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

After all, we wouldn't need a parking brake if we would use square tires and wheels.

Andy

LOL!

Don't knock it until you've tried it.

Xray · 02-02-2005, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Xray.

Unfortunately, that company is selling an actuator that has not been approved, since it doesn'y meet the SAE standards.

The ActiBrake is the only electric/hydraulic actuator available that is manufactured to SAE J 1455 standards.

However, as always, someone will come up with a cheaper system, such as they have.

The real key, is Airstream doesn't use top quality products, just to be different.

They spend considerable money researching any product or component that they use in production. They could as others have, chose to go the cheap route, and save money. In doing so, they also cheapen the coach as well as compromise safety. That's a "no no" in their books.

Unfortunately, some folks don't believe the wheel is here to stay, as they are always looking for a way to reinvent it. After all, we wouldn't need a parking brake if we would use square tires and wheels.

Andy

Well, further clarification is in order. There is no intention of opening a can of worms here or marketing someone's product.

According to Titan (the manufacturer of the actuator marketed by SW Wheel at http://www.etrailerpart.com/ultimateproseries.htm) "SAE J1455 is an electronic component testing standard and is not a compliance standard. All applicable products sold or marketed in the U.S. must be tested to the SAE J1455 testing standard, as the Titan products are."

There is no J1455 "approval", "disapproval", or "certification" involved, according to Titan. The product has to test to a certain electronic standard and it does, according to Titan, just like the Acti-Brake.

Now, granted, I'm no expert on this but I am able to make a few phone calls and discern hogwash when I read it.

As I was told by Derek at SW Wheel (http://www.etrailerpart.com/ultimateproseries.htm), "Can you imagine the liability we would face if we sold product that had not met the testing standard and later failed?"

Further, Derek says, "Our prices are cheaper because we buy and sell so much product.".

You can draw your own conclusions.

Best regards all,

X

From the SAE website regarding J1455:
-------
SAE Standards
Document Number: J1455
Date Published: August 1994

Title: Joint SAE/Tmc Recommended Environmental Practices for Electronic Equipment Design (Heavy-Duty Trucks)

Issuing Committee: Truck And Bus Electrical Systems Subcommittee

Scope: The climatic, dynamic, and electrical environments from natural and vehicle-induced sources that influence the performance and reliability of vehicle and tractor/trailer electronic components, are included in this sAE Recommended Practice. Test methods that can be used to simulate these environmental conditions are also included. This information is applicable to diesel power trucks in Classes 6, 7, and 8.

This guideline is intended to aid the designer of automotive electronic systems and components by providing material that may be used to develop environmental design goals.
-------

Tarheel · 02-02-2005, 03:59 PM

Glad to see that the public is finally getting around to asking for a better product. I had a Renault in 1965 with 4 wheel disc brakes. Not that it needed it you could open the door and drag your foot to stop it. It has taken the US almost 40 years to come up to what was a standard on a cheap import. My 92 Dodge Cummins is disc and drums.

Silvertwinkie · 02-02-2005, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarheel

Glad to see that the public is finally getting around to asking for a better product. I had a Renault in 1965 with 4 wheel disc brakes. Not that it needed it you could open the door and drag your foot to stop it. It has taken the US almost 40 years to come up to what was a standard on a cheap import. My 92 Dodge Cummins is disc and drums.

... and don't forget fuel injection....that too had been around for 3-4 decades before it was standard equipment. I think GM first put in in a late 50s, early 60s Corvette......

**Action** · 02-02-2005, 04:53 PM

Seat belts were an option on FOMOCO vehicles in the 50's. No one would buy them. So they were dropped. Tucker had a headlight that move with the direction of the turn. Now found in a high end car for 2005.

High tech and market place don't necessarily go hand in hand.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

"People want economy and they will pay any price to get it."
Lee Iacocca

Xray · 02-02-2005, 05:07 PM

Actually, there might be a can of worms here and maybe there is a reason A/S is holding up their disk brake system...

I made several phone calls regarding the Acti-Brake (Kodiak) and the Brake-Rite (Titan) actuators. It was reported to me that the Acti-Brake system is experiencing premature circuit board failures and they are looking for a solution. Maybe that is why A/S is waiting?

Just more food for thought.

Tarheel · 02-02-2005, 05:07 PM

57 chevy and vet and fuel injection available and maybe even pontiac, I know pontiac had the 3 duces that year. The fuel injection of today is so much more dependable of course in 57 who would have thought that you would ever had a computer in your car, even if we had known what a compter was.