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Steve & Susan · 01-10-2007, 01:33 PM

Hello all -

I am considering upgrading the brakes on our 2005 28' CCD to disk and I am asking for advice both pro and con.

Has anyone decided to do this - if so, why?
Has anyone decided against it - if so, why?

Thanks!

steve

**moosetags** · 01-10-2007, 01:39 PM

I was just getting ready to start a similar thread. We are considering the same conversion. I have talked to a couple of Airstream owners who have the factory installed discs and say that they are great. I, also, am anxious to hear from someone who has done the conversion from drums and get their input.

rickandsandi · 01-10-2007, 02:45 PM

Hey Guys, this subject has been beaten to death. Use your search function and you will find some very indepth threads on this subject. You will find everything from have to do it to don't change. Check it out!

SEARCH!

CanoeStream · 01-10-2007, 02:59 PM

I agree Rick.

A good tool is using advanced search if you have any idea who has posted on the topic before. Enter your keyword(s) in that field, but add the username in the field just to its right. Disc brake threads have gone to the length that 2airishuman has discussed wear-in in detail. Hey, there's a thought ...

Search away mi amigos!

Silvertwinkie · 01-10-2007, 03:15 PM

Steve, I considered it, but the cost seemed hard to justify given that I don't do a whole lot of mountain towing. It'd be great to have with an RV your size, but to me cost drove the decision, understanding that my brakes currently are perfectly safe and work well.

If I had to replace the axles or the brakes outright needed to be overhauled totally, I'd have thought a bit harder about it.

Inland RV Center, In · 01-10-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by szy8xj

Hello all -

I am considering upgrading the brakes on our 2005 28' CCD to disk and I am asking for advice both pro and con.

Has anyone decided to do this - if so, why?
Has anyone decided against it - if so, why?

Thanks!

steve

Actually the cost to upgrade to disc brakes is not that much.

However, since you don't have an actuator, you must add that to the system.

That one item doubles the cost of the disc brake kits.

Many owners are upgrading when they change out the axles.

Some are also upgrading when it comes time to buy new magnets or shoes for the electric brakes.

Andy

Steve & Susan · 01-10-2007, 07:33 PM

Sorry -

I must be using search incorrectly because I couldn't find the threads you mentioned - I'll try again.

steve

Phil Gobie · 01-10-2007, 07:58 PM

I did mine a couple weeks ago. Big difference in the smooth consistent stopping power. I am in south Fla. no mountains here but when you are going 70+ and its time to stop it does it right now! I would do it again.

JimGolden · 01-10-2007, 08:07 PM

Disks are superior in every way. If you've got the green, make the change and never look back. I am.

(Actually I've got disk brakes now, but I'm replacing them with a new system)

Find the "Trailer Life" article where they took a 30ish foot 5th wheel with drums and a 3/4 ton Dodge, tested it thoroughly, then retrofitted it with an aftermarket disk conversion kit, and tested it again. Disks stopped in nearly half the distance of the drums. Disks don't fade like drums either.

Drums work good. Disks work better. Like stated above, you can search/research it to death. But if the money doesn't bother you, do it and know you've got a better system.

**moosetags** · 01-10-2007, 09:01 PM

What kind of money does a disc conversion cost today on a dual axle Airstream?

ROBERTSUNRUS · 01-10-2007, 09:50 PM

Hi, I am happy with my drum brakes and don't plan on changeing. And I have asked for those of you switching to disc brakes to UPS your new drum take offs to me for the UPS charge. If the drum system is so bad, I'm sure you would give me your drums free. Then I can take four drums to the machine shop to have them balanced and installed on my trailer with vertually no down time. And have a spare set of brakes waiting for the originals to wear out.

Still waiting for that PM message stateing that those lousy drums are on their way to my home VIA UPS.

Another thought, maybe the disc brakes would be better for those who have all three of these things: 3/4 ton or larger tow vehicle, 7,000 lb GVWR or heavier trailer, and Hensley Arrow Hitch. And those with smaller, lighter, trailer / tow vehicle combinations will do just fine with drums.

Steve & Susan · 01-11-2007, 04:44 AM

Moosetags -

I contacted the factory and they told me about $2400 plus tax and I'd need an upgraded brake controller.

steve

nohillgrish · 01-11-2007, 05:12 AM

Even though the subject has been "beaten to death", I switched in November on my 32' Excella and I feel it's well worth the money. I had been considering for some time, but final straw was performance of drum brakes on trip to New Mexico & Colorado this past summer. No real tests yet as far as mountain driving, but I am very satisfied with smoothness and consistent performance of the discs so far. So far, I would definitely do it again. I also changed to a Hayes-Genesis brake controller that appears to operate very well with this system.

LI Pets · 01-11-2007, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by szy8xj

Moosetags -

I contacted the factory and they told me about $2400 plus tax and I'd need an upgraded brake controller.

steve

If the factory wants that, figure half as much elsewhere.

Pahaska · 01-11-2007, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lipets

If the factory wants that, figure half as much elsewhere.

I paid just about $2400 at Weatherford. They did use a bit better material than the factory (plated instead of powder coated calipers), but condidering the hours of labor and the material, you will not get the conversion for much less anywhere.

You could do it yourself and save a lot on labor. The labor was essentially one tech for a full day. I pulled into the shop at noon and left at noon the next day. I watched every minute of the conversion and there was no time wasted. Lots of tubing to measure, cut, and flare.

Silvertwinkie · 01-11-2007, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lipets

If the factory wants that, figure half as much elsewhere.

I'm not sure about that...I seem to recall reading that there are other places that can do it, but I'm not sure they did it for half of Airstream's $2400 price. If I could get a quality disc brake system for $1200 installed, I'd consider it more when it came time to do brake work, then when replacing axles.

Anyone comment if this is true or not?

01-11-2007, 08:09 AM

I have a brand new actuator if anyone wants to buy it . It came on my 2007 Classic. Acubrake told me it wasn't completly compatable with the tow command brake controller on my 2006 F350 .Up until 2005 it was fine but the software was somehow changed on the 2006. It made a trip from N.J. to maryland and was changed out before the trailer moved again.Nothing at all wrong with it. It's the one on the right.

Mike Lewis · 01-11-2007, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craftsman

I have a brand new actuator if anyone wants to buy it . It came on my 2007 Classic. Acubrake told me it wasn't completly compatable with the tow command brake controller on my 2006 F350 .Up until 2005 it was fine but the software was somehow changed on the 2006. It made a trip from N.J. to maryland and was changed out before the trailer moved again.Nothing at all wrong with it. It's the one on the right.

How much $$$$$$ and how would I get it----Pieman
PM me if you would--thanks

uwe · 01-11-2007, 11:44 AM

Having towed trailers that were similar in weight, one with drums and one with discs, I am definitely endorsing the disc brake upgrade.
Aside from the increase in brake performance, ther is a certain smoothness and feel to the brakes now that I have never experienced with drum brakes.
This includes towing with 1 ton and 1/2 ton vehicles.
Just this morning I helped a friend hitch up her new CCD Bambi and adjusted her brake controller, thinking the whole time that I am glad that I chose hydraulic discs over electric drums.
Electric drum brakes work ok. Hydraulic disc brakes work great!

Inland RV Center, In · 01-11-2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

I'm not sure about that...I seem to recall reading that there are other places that can do it, but I'm not sure they did it for half of Airstream's $2400 price. If I could get a quality disc brake system for $1200 installed, I'd consider it more when it came time to do brake work, then when replacing axles.

Anyone comment if this is true or not?

$1650.00, will get you a tandem disc brake setup.

Andy