Trailer brakes and bearings....

[bgreene]

Started my project # 1 this weekend - checking / re packing bearings and trailer brakes.
First wheel off and this is what I've found:

1. bearings fine - the grease gun change I had done through zerk fitting about 1 mo ago completely replaced the previous ( different color) grease, and permeated all areas completely.

2. disk brake pads & rotors - worn down somewhat unevenly, with small ridges and valley's evident on the pads. Rotors featured matching very small ridges and valleys, meaning I'd like to get them smoothed/ cut. Tie down parts show option for either " organic" ...........or " ceramic" pads that feature life time warranty.

Trailer is just 2-3 years old, but I trailer 120 miles each round trip, and mostly saltwater use, so it gets run....

I'm showing the trailer company the pads and rotor for their input.
Doing the work myself feels gratifying ......so far.

[bradford]

Surprised they still work.

[Destroyer]

I know that there will be "purists" that will disagree with me on this.. so be it. But frankly with the small ridges and groves (as long as they are not excessive and as long as the pads aren't worn down to where the metal pad back isn't coming in contact with the metal rotor.) I'd just leave them alone. First off, why spend the money? Second off, you'll get better braking from them than with smooth pads and rotors because you now have more surface area than with a smooth set. The greater the surface area, the more friction. The more friction, the more braking. You have to think 3 dimensional on this one. Each one of those ridges and groves equals more overall surface area. If you feel better about replacing them, by all means do so. But if it were me I'd leave them alone.

[RidgeRunner]

I agree with Destroyer on this one, unless there is excessive wear leave them alone. Good work on getting your hands dirty. It is gratifying, if not frustrating at times. Labor of love thing, thanks for sharing too..good info. Merry Christmas!

[macojoe]

Brakes on a boat are made to mess up!! Then yank them off and never worry again!! Thats what I have always done.

[phatdaddy]

gotta agree with mj, brakes on a boat are a waste.
having them on a trailer is a better idea...

i've never had them and never missed them until i got into a sudden stop situation on I-75 coming back from the keys. after that i always said if i ever trailer any distance, i'd have them. my commute is about 3 miles to the ramp, so i don't have them, but if i ever go on another long run, i'll have at least one axel done.

as far as rough vs smooth, i'd think smooth is better, but if they work and don't make noise, i'd leave em alone

[garbubba]

Third vote for forget about it. Trailer brakes on a boat trailer are just a scam for marina's to take your money.

Mind you I have them on my car hauler, and love them, but I don't dunk my car hauler in the ocean.

[garbubba]

Just reread phat's post,

But wouldn't you love to have brakes on a boat? I know there are a few times I'd have been pretty happy to have them.

Maybe we all need to have variable pitch props like modern warships, reverse the pitch & Voila! brakes.

[mawshj]

here is a thought, IF you are ever in an accident can you hear the opposing lawyer discussing your brakes being removed ? sad but true

[spareparts]

here is a thought, IF you are ever in an accident can you hear the opposing lawyer discussing your brakes being removed ? sad but true

This is a very big issue! Consider 90% of the boat trailers in this are that came with brakes have had them removed. I personally will not remove brakes from a trailer for a customer. One local trailer shop will not install brakes on a trailer under 6000 lb capacity, another shop will not workon brakes unless the customer signs a paper stating no warranty or responsibility for when they fail. Its catch 22

[phatdaddy]

i have heard of check points in the keys where the state troopers,fdot,fwc are stopping vehicles to do safety inspections. those that fail are not allowed to leave until corrected. i think a v on a tandem axle would be required to have brakes on both axles.
never saw this firsthand, but read it on the internet, so it's gotta be true.

[macojoe]

They can sue me if they want, I have nothing!!

[bgreene]

Seems the law up here in NJ requires brakes on each axle, meaning all 4 wheels....

SealLion rep inspected my disks and claims no issue, fine with the minor surface differentials as long as not 1/8" deep or more. Not even 1/16" so guess fine.

Going to post some before and after pics. Minor rust on the non stainless bracket, removed, sanded, going to paint with the rust resistant paint.

[NJIslandGirl]

my V tows soooo much nicer since i put it on the dual axtle trailer. do you tow to cape may? im trying to figure out 120 miles from cherry hill lol

[bgreene]

my V tows soooo much nicer since i put it on the dual axtle trailer. do you tow to cape may? im trying to figure out 120 miles from cherry hill lol

When you go......you gotta' come back so that's round trip.........

[Destroyer]

I really don't understand the problem with having brakes on a trailer. They're not that much trouble, and they are required in a lot of states, mine included. I mean, as long as you give them proper maintenance they last a hell of a long time. I think it's over 4 years on my present set, and they still work fine. Come home, jack up axle, remove spindle nut and slide off tire and drum. Pressure wash inside of brake drum and brake assembly, Blow dry with compressed air, quick shot of WD40, replace tire, do other side. Viola.. less than one hour for all 4 wheels. What's the problem? It's just like any other mechanical item... you have to do the maintenance. You wash the boat, so why not the trailer and the brakes?

[Blue_Runner]

Drum brakes on a boat trailer in salt last about 1 season. To anyone thinking about it - I wound't even consider anything but stainless steel disk brakes. I don't feel the need for them but if my boat was any bigger I'd consider it a necessity. Law does not require it here either.

[Blue_Runner]

Destroyer - you are the man for giving your drums the love....I give you that brother. I didn't even top the fluid in mine. lol
:part:

[garbubba]

LOl at destroyer, that's an hour you could be fishin' man!
I hear y'all about the safety factor, although I've towed mine all the hell over with no worries.
My solution is I tow with a land cruiser, all time 4wd, 4 wheel disks on 32 inch tires, and it weighs a cool 3 tons. You know the boats back there, but it obeys the truck.

[bgreene]

1st wheel work progress.....
Removed disk brakes, disassembled bearings and disk from spindle, sanded cast iron section, then sprayed with Eastwood Textured Rust Encapsulator paint. After couple of days dry time, top coated with Rust-Oleum metallic in grey.

Once the new brake pads and rear bearing units arrive, I'll re install, check, and move on to next wheel. Will post pics.....eventually.

[bradford]

LOl at destroyer, that's an hour you could be fishin' man!
I hear y'all about the safety factor, although I've towed mine all the hell over with no worries.
My solution is I tow with a land cruiser, all time 4wd, 4 wheel disks on 32 inch tires, and it weighs a cool 3 tons. You know the boats back there, but it obeys the truck.


What year Land Cruiser?

Sounds good Bgreene.

And Destroyer gets to award for most anal trailer brake maintainence. Good for you man!

[Destroyer]

What year Land Cruiser?

Sounds good Bgreene.

And Destroyer gets to award for most anal trailer brake maintainence. Good for you man!

Hmmm... Attwood drum brake =59.99 (without the drum) per wheel. 4 wheels x $60 = $240 x 4 years = $960 Saved = several new fishing rods, reels, tackle, etc., etc. If that's anal then I'm guilty and I'll be anal all the way to the tackle store. :sly:

[bgreene]

I doubt anyone's teasing you D, more like impressed !

[macojoe]

Hell when I was fishing I was lucky to wash the boat once a week after fishing all day then going to sell after it was a 15+ hour day!! There was a day I was walking in the yard to the boat and I said whats that black spot on the rear of the boat?? It was a huge swarm of Flys on some dead bait!, just hooked up went fishing and washed off at sea.

[Destroyer]

I doubt anyone's teasing you D, more like impressed !

Oh, I know. No offense was taken. No worries.

[mawshj]

my V tows soooo much nicer since i put it on the dual axtle trailer. do you tow to cape may? im trying to figure out 120 miles from cherry hill lol
I need to replace my trailer soon , I wonder if you could help me understand in what ways does your trailer tow better with 4 wheels? thanks

[randlemanboater]

My trailer is approaching it's 7th season, the brakes have given me zero problems. I am sure to rinse them off when they are dunked in salt water but really they have required no special care.

They are disc brakes on torsion axles.

More than a few times I have had to make stops in traffic when pulling the boat with the RV that I am pretty sure would have ended poorly without the trailer brakes. I would not have a trailer without brakes.

[Destroyer]

I need to replace my trailer soon , I wonder if you could help me understand in what ways does your trailer tow better with 4 wheels? thanks

While I cannot speak for anyone other than myself, I will state that 4 wheels has greater stopping power (assuming the brakes are all working properly) and it seems to tow better due to better weight distribution in the rear. Also if I get a flat I won't have a suddenly swaying boat going all over the road until I can come to a stop. I admit that these are all subjective reasons, but to me the increased peace of mind is well worth it.

[bgreene]

Re attaching new brake pads and squeezing the rotor between was a bit of challenge.

Piston moves back when pushed, but then moves back out leaving little room.

I see it's not a complicated job, but definitely one where experience can make the whole job a lot easier, faster, and cleaner !!

Re packing the bearings and such..........I probably made more grease mess than any job except foaming in a fuel tank....but that was another story.

[bradford]

I probably made more grease mess than any job except foaming in a fuel tank....but that was another story.


I don't foam in fuel tanks either, just a different way of thinking, LOL

A tandem like Destroyer said has a lot better balance, less up and down jerking on the trailer tongue, which makes hauling especially long distance less tiring. Rides smoother usually. Weight is distributed across more springs, hardware, axles, tires etc thus when one of the above goes bad its is usually less of a hazard. Having said all that the right single axle is way better than the wrong tandem.

[bgreene]

Single on lighter boat was ok for me........but dual axle for V..... the safety factor being one.