trailer brakes

[garycorbett]

Hydraulic surge brakes came on my dual axle shorelander trailer. Being around salt water they seized and rusted - had lots of problems. had em unhooked. Taking boat down to Florida come fall - I wonder if I should get the brakes fixed up. Gonna be in salt water again. I got a big ford F250 heavy duty with 460 and good brakes ABS. Wondering.

[bigshrimpin]

Gary - With that truck you'll have no issues stopping, but be aware of the laws in each state you're driving through . . . including florida which requires brakes on trailers over 3000lbs.

http://www.trailerboats.com/images/elements/944947_chap%208%20tbtg05.pdf

[garycorbett]

Ah ha - the outfit would be over 3000 if you included the trailer weight - guess i'll need to fixum.

[phatdaddy]

I have made the trip to the keys 4 times with my boat(1500 miles) with out brakes. Coming back last year, I had to stop suddenly on I75 because of a slowdown at an exit ramp. Truck has abs, so I didn't skid, but I did sssssssslide a long way. When I go back I will have brakes. My normal trip is about 6 miles to ramp. When I get back to town, I'll just take the brakes off.

[Hammerhead]

This is the first trailer I've had with brakes. I didn't like'm till a lady pulled in front of me w/o looking. I slammed on the brakes and stopped on a dime..in time...to not smash into her door. I say
"fix'm" and be glad ya have'm. (Ford E-150)

[garycorbett]

Once in Florida she will be in and out of salt water - how am I going to prevent seizure of bakes, rust and so on. What happens - it sits in the offseason then when you go to use it - they're siezed and skid tires.

[rb437]

I have no experience with them, but perhaps disc brakes would be easier to rinse after use and therefore last longer. Anyone have discs?

[bigshrimpin]

I don't even have brakes . . . but I've seen some nice setups where folks have rigged up their trailers with homebuilt washdown systems using lawn sprinkers heads and a quick release. They just hook up the hose to the quick release and rinse for about 3 minutes after each trip.

[phatdaddy]

I would think that disc is the only way to go. The price I have been quoted is about $450 to $500 for a set installed. That is only one axel. not sure of the brand, but i've heard the kodiak are supposed to be the best. I've seen ads in trade papers for a kit that is around $350.

[reelapeelin]

I've had discs for years and believe they're the only way to go...BUT don't go Tie-Down...they got NO SERVICE...I hear lots of good about Kodiak...

This sounds like a PIA, but worth it...take a bucket of FRESH WATER and douse each brake unit at the ramp after you off the boat...that way your brakes aren't sittin' in the parkin' lot w/ salty water on 'em while you're out v-20in' around...end of day, hose 'em good and get salt off from when you got the boat back outta the water...

Even w/ a 250, no way I'd leave on a long trip w/ no brakes ;) get 'em workin'... ;) ;D...you'll be glad you did...

MAKE SURE coupler/ actuator is FOR disc-brakes...if your old brakes were drums IT WON'T WORK... get new actuator FOR DISCS...

[garycorbett]

They are hydraulic surge brakes with drums i believe - likely have to use the same.

[reelapeelin]

If your axles have a 4-bolt flange on each end at the spindle, you can convert to discs ;) ...

[Blu_Lunch]

I had wash downs installed when we had brake installed it was 35 dollars extra. We were told to flush for 5 minutes but what we do is grab the floor jack and lift each side and rotate the tires to completely flush them out and dont forget to take for a quick ride after that to heat and dry out the brakes......Ted

[Blu_Lunch]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a358/newhavenrr/PDR_0044_1.jpg Here's a picture of my wash down set up....it works well