Surprise #1 - brakes missing, time to convert drum to disc? PICS - The Hull Truth

heeerefishyfishy · 08-23-2009, 04:28 PM

First of all thanks for your advice on brakes, am taking the advice and fixing my trailer brakes now.

Used boat surprise #1 - tandem trailer axles brakes do not work because they are all TOTALLY MISSING! Totally empty inside each drum. Surge brake master filled with WATER.

21' boat, tandem axle trailer with surge brakes, 5 bolt pattern on 14" wheels.

I'm thinking this is a good time to convert to electric-apply disc brakes and controller.

Couple of questions:

I did a THT search, aside from special application trailer axles, most axles have standardized wheel bearing and spindle assemblies. My trailer is a 5000lb trailer. Can I assume it has two 3500lb axles, 5 bolt pattern on 14" wheels? So there is no use giving my boat trailer make, model and serial number to locate brake parts as I would if I were ordering parts for my pickup truck?

Because I will need shoes, springs, adjuster, drums ... I figure this is a good time to look into converting to disc brakes. Disc brakes are more effective and easier to clean and service. School me on disc brakes and controllers.

LouC · 08-23-2009, 07:03 PM

I'd go over to www.championtrailers.com
look in the tech articles...they have ones on comparing disc and drum brakes and also instructions on the installation of complete systems....
You can either convert the whole thing to discs....Kodiak silver cad.....which will cost probably about 250 per axle plus a new actuator with a reverse solenoid needed with disc brakes (probably together 175 or so...) or if the existing drums are in good shape you could replace the bearings...backing plates and actuator for a bit less than the disc conversion...but most would say the discs are superior in longevity...the loaded backing plates for the 10" drums are only about 110 a pair...but if you are in salt water go with the Kodiaks...
I have the surge drums on mine and I got 5 seasons out of them but I have a moored boat so they don't go in salt water that much...if I was a trailer boater I'd have gone with the discs.....
The other thing to check is the brake lines...are they in good shape...if they have water in them it all has to be flushed out...it's not hard to replace the rubber lines (disc brakes require a flex line from the axle to the caliper because the caliper has to move slightly) but snaking a new stainless line thru the trailer frame is a bit of a pain...