trailer brakes

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by RidgeRunner

Taking the wind out of my sails thinking about pulling the drums to flush after every trip. That is taking maintenance to a new level. If that is what it takes, me no want.~~~~~~~~The tow vehicle of sufficient size to offer some good stopping power sure helps when no brakes are the case.

It's actually quite easy to do. I have a floor jack that I use so the jacking is easy, I leave the tire on the drum and remove the whole thing as a unit. A little messy because of the greese, but really, it's an easy thing to do. Whole proceedure takes less than an hour for both wheels. I just look at it as part of cleaning my boat after an outing.

It's true that a nice heavy tow vehicle with good brakes does offer good stopping power to a trailer most times. (Except for that one time when the brakes fail or inertia is just a tad too much for them ... stuff like that.)

[cfelton]

I installed Kodiac disc brakes on my front axle after coming home from Nags Head in heavy stop and go traffic and have never regretted it. I was pulling the V home after a week long vacation with the family and following three van loads of folks that all of a sudden decided to slam on the brakes and turn across traffic. I had no where to go, so I locked up the brakes and almost slid right into them. The boat pushed me so hard it felt like it picked up the rear of my 97 4x4 Tacoma. I got home ok and immediately got online and ordered a Kodiac disc brake kit and installed it on the front axle and now the boat stops me! Had them 3-4 years with no trouble at all. I wash them off whenever I use it, salt water or fresh, and am very pleased with their performance.

[oteps]

I would say put brakes on it. What are you using to tow with? I only had one axle set up with brakes on my v20 and it worked good, until the bearings burnt up and took out the brake shoes. I could still stop ok on the way home without brakes but i have a f350 crew cab. i dont think I would try it with my jeep. But some of you guys are in FL, i dont remember any mountains down there.
last year I was pulling my flatbed trailer. At a toll booth there was a state cop checking things out. My inspection was out so he made me pull into the parking lot. Checked the trailer out and the battery for the electric brake dissconnect was dead. He made me unhook the trailer and go buy a battery before I could move the trailer. $30 battery $100 no inspection fine and $60 fine for a dead battery, plus 1 1/2 hours added to my trip.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by cfelton

I installed Kodiac disc brakes on my front axle after coming home from Nags Head in heavy stop and go traffic and have never regretted it. I was pulling the V home after a week long vacation with the family and following three van loads of folks that all of a sudden decided to slam on the brakes and turn across traffic. I had no where to go, so I locked up the brakes and almost slid right into them. The boat pushed me so hard it felt like it picked up the rear of my 97 4x4 Tacoma. I got home ok and immediately got online and ordered a Kodiac disc brake kit and installed it on the front axle and now the boat stops me! Had them 3-4 years with no trouble at all. I wash them off whenever I use it, salt water or fresh, and am very pleased with their performance.

Exacctly. It's that one time that gets you into trouble. When I finally need to replace my brakes I'm going to go to a disk brake setup, just for the ease of it. I Have surge brakes, not electric, so I can't have the boat stop me, but it's like night and day with stopping with and without trailer brakes... without them you can feel the trailer/boat pushing you.. with them that sensation is gone.

[reelapeelin]

At present I do not have trailer brakes although I cannot argue w/those who choose to have them. I DID upgrade my trucks brakes w/drilled and slotted rotors on all four corners...LOTS more stopping power.

If you decide to add brakes DO NOT use Tie-Downs...if you run across them they will be cheaper than Kodiaks and very tempting...My constant battle w/those brakes and Tie-Down corporate frustrated me to the point I removed them and have not replaced...the Kodiaks mentioned above are a much better choice...

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by reelapeelin

At present I do not have trailer brakes although I cannot argue w/those who choose to have them. I DID upgrade my trucks brakes w/drilled and slotted rotors on all four corners...LOTS more stopping power.

If you decide to add brakes DO NOT use Tie-Downs...if you run across them they will be cheaper than Kodiaks and very tempting...My constant battle w/those brakes and Tie-Down corporate frustrated me to the point I removed them and have not replaced...the Kodiaks mentioned above are a much better choice...

Agreed on the brakes... although in all fairness I have to admit that on one of my trailers I have a Tie-down actuator and it's given me zero problems over several years of use. But I'm not a fan of their brakes.. they seem flimsy when compared to other brands.

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

Agreed on the brakes... although in all fairness I have to admit that on one of my trailers I have a Tie-down actuator and it's given me zero problems over several years of use. But I'm not a fan of their brakes.. they seem flimsy when compared to other brands.

Destroyer, TD seems to have their poop together on their actuator...I used the same one as well w/good result, although I did have to replace a master cylinder on one...

But the brakes are Mickey Mouse w/a two foot tail...I fought that battle for YEARS on all 4 wheels of the tandem I had with NO support from TD corporate...NOTHING...