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pmclemore · 01-11-2007, 03:14 PM

As for the comment about getting it done at the factory - my experience with them has been very good. Everything they have done for me has been done very economically and expertly. And what's not to like about the terraport and the factory tour?

I would encourage any of you who find yourselves in need of repair work to consider them.

Pat

LI Pets · 01-11-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

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

Andy

What would exactly be included in that price?

If that's all the parts it sounds pretty good

axleman · 01-11-2007, 05:09 PM

I have provided a link:
Ultimate Series Disc Brake Trailer Axle Kits

Be sure to browse the rest of the sight also. As the Kodiak parts are available by the piece also. There is a lot of labor involved.

When I was an Axleman it usually took between 4-6 hours for a tandem axle trailer. For a non Axleman (do it yourselfer) plan on twice that.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Henry

JimGolden · 01-11-2007, 05:33 PM

Bob, I don't have any drums to give you, but I'll give you the old disk setup, along with the shocks, and the axles. Heck, you can have the whole frame once I get the new one made

Silvertwinkie · 01-11-2007, 06:23 PM

I'll keep that in mind when the time comes. Who knows, I may trade my 25' Been looking at a 31' Dinette for a while now....and it already has discs.

rluhr · 01-11-2007, 06:45 PM

Bob, I would have happily given you my old drums when we upgraded to discs last May. But I ditched them at Roger Williams Airstream, where we had the conversion done. Hey, check with David Tidmore there -- he may still have them!

I'm happy to be rid of them. Never again do I want to see drums on a heavy trailer that I'm towing. On the Safari 30 (at about 8000 lbs loaded), the brake fade of four 12" drum brakes was unacceptable to me. With discs the performance is nothing short of amazing. My next trailer -- whatever that is -- will have them too!

Road Ruler · 01-11-2007, 07:23 PM

Im with rluhr. Our brakes will soon be needing a workover . It will be discs for us.

Without a doubt, anyone interested in optimal performance and safety will be on the disc bandwagon.

FrenchBern · 01-12-2007, 06:04 AM

Jim Golden, I am very interested in your old axles if you still have them. If possible I would like to call you.

Inland RV Center, In · 01-12-2007, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lipets

What would exactly be included in that price?

If that's all the parts it sounds pretty good

Everything in the photo, plus a instruction manual.

http://www.inlandrv.com/parts/86200-...-brake-kit.jpg

Also, our kits are for 6000 pounds per axle, not 5200 as others offer.

Andy

LI Pets · 01-12-2007, 12:42 PM

If my gross trailer weight is 7100 lbs, would I need that size brake system?

Wouldn't 3500 lbs per axle be good?

Inland RV Center, In · 01-12-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lipets

If my gross trailer weight is 7100 lbs, would I need that size brake system?

Wouldn't 3500 lbs per axle be good?

Absolutely not, if you consider "safety."

Remember, the trailer brakes should also stop the tow vehicle, if need be.

Andy

**Chuck** · 01-12-2007, 01:56 PM

I don't know...the drum brakes on my '73 23-footer seem more than adequate. I can easily lock the wheels if I'm not carefull with the controller adjustment. In fact, I usually wind up dragging the trailer down my steep gravel driveway, when we're departing. holding enough braking on the truck to keep the whole combination from going "woosh" down the driveway too fast is enough to lock up 2 of the wheels.

when I get out to the pavement, and test the controller with the thumb-button, (no truck brakes..trailer only), the trailer wheels are chirpin' away with the button halfway depressed, dragging the rig to a stop.

Now I know, coming down a long mountain, the drums heat up, and you get "fade" and so forth...but I never go to those places.

Considering that a second axle and subsequent extra pair of brakes was still an option for this model...would discs really do that much more for me?

Inland RV Center, In · 01-12-2007, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

I don't know...the drum brakes on my '73 23-footer seem more than adequate. I can easily lock the wheels if I'm not carefull with the controller adjustment. In fact, I usually wind up dragging the trailer down my steep gravel driveway, when we're departing. holding enough braking on the truck to keep the whole combination from going "woosh" down the driveway too fast is enough to lock up 2 of the wheels.

when I get out to the pavement, and test the controller with the thumb-button, (no truck brakes..trailer only), the trailer wheels are chirpin' away with the button halfway depressed, dragging the rig to a stop.

Now I know, coming down a long mountain, the drums heat up, and you get "fade" and so forth...but I never go to those places.

Considering that a second axle and subsequent extra pair of brakes was still an option for this model...would discs really do that much more for me?

Disc brakes are far superior to any electric or hydraulic brakes ever made.

Why have so many auto manufacturers gone to them?

Plus the cost of replacement parts is less for discs than other type brakes.

12" single axle brakes for a 23 foot trailer "and" a tow vehicle, are very inadequate. Tow vehicle brakes do fail.

Andy

uwe · 01-12-2007, 02:07 PM

The 12x2 electric brakes that Airstream uses are 5200lbs or 6000lb rated, per axle. It seems that the 6000lb disc brake kit would make a good replacement with plenty of reserve capacity for prolonged downhill braking if necessary, or plenty of panic stop reserve.
The increase in rated brake weight gives you components that are capable of dealing with more heat over a longer time, not necessarily more theoretical stopping power.

axleman · 01-12-2007, 02:08 PM

To the best of my knowledge the Kodiak brake for 5200# and 6000# axles is the same part number, thus there is no difference, if anyone was curious!

Trailer axles are grouped in families - 2200#, 3500#, 5200# & 7000#. This is mainly a function of spindle diameter.

Regards,
Henry

**Chuck** · 01-12-2007, 02:18 PM

yeah, but would it really stop any better? If I can make my wheels go from 30mph to 0 in an instant....haven't tried it at highway speed, but....

oh, I know all about TV brake failure. did that last summer...and I WISH I had the trailer attached...at least I'd have had "some" brakes that way.
Had a controller fail once when I was towing. that wasn't fun, either...but not nearly as bad as "no brakes at all".

uwe · 01-12-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

yeah, but would it really stop any better? If I can make my wheels go from 30mph to 0 in an instant....haven't tried it at highway speed, but....

The question is subjective, as it is clear that many are very happy with their electric drum brakes and it depends on driving style, geography, driver expectations, etc.etc.
Chances are that those that are firmly planted in the electric drum brake camp would not fully appreciate a disc brake conversion, all other things in their rig being equal.
My own experience with both types makes me a firm believer in the electro/hydraulic disc brake system. It's not just mountain driving, but also steep offramps, manual sway corrections, and the much improved balance.
It does stop better, safer, longer, smoother, quieter, and has a much improved brake feel over the electric drum brakes.

Phil Gobie · 01-12-2007, 04:10 PM

Chuck, What you are describing is the problem with drum brakes. When they are cold the are impossible to modulate. when they are warm they are better. The whole idea of quality brakes is to get maximum braking without locking any of them. This allows the driver to maintain control in a panic stop. The disc brakes are more controlled and with the hydraulics the pressure is equalized and all the wheels are theoretically getting the same pressure. The debate is not if they are powerful enough but how well they stop.

whurley · 01-12-2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

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

For all the parts the best I can find is $1200 that is not installed.

**Chuck** · 01-12-2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Gobie

Chuck, What you are describing is the problem with drum brakes. When they are cold the are impossible to modulate. when they are warm they are better. The whole idea of quality brakes is to get maximum braking without locking any of them. This allows the driver to maintain control in a panic stop. The disc brakes are more controlled and with the hydraulics the pressure is equalized and all the wheels are theoretically getting the same pressure. The debate is not if they are powerful enough but how well they stop.

well, that's just what I was getting at. does the ability to make the wheels go "0" really mean anything? perhaps not.
(and speaking of that, it always amazes me just how powerfull those magnets are!).
the "really" subjective question is, would it make enough difference on a smaller trailer to justify the price?

I used to have a '94 Ford Taurus...had 4-wheel discs. traded it in for a '00 Taurus. same trim level...it has rear drums. funny they would go in that direction, in a later model car. then again, maybe not...I just had the front brakes done (new rotors/pads) for the first time...@90,000 miles. the rear drums are hardly worn. obviously, I'm not one to ride the brakes. But anyway...I know 4 wheels in the corners of a car is a totally different situation than 4 wheels in the middle on a trailer, but the point is, perahaps the factory decided that rear discs on this particular car just didn't make enough of a difference to justify the added cost. I certainly don't notice any difference in this car's braking ability vs. the last one.