Trailer Brake Add-on

[cbadmin]

From: Mike (Original Message) Sent: 11/26/2002 7:43 PM
Has anybody out there added brakes to a trailer that previously had none?

I tow our 22' Cruiser on a single-axle EZ Loader #3700 trailer, that does not have brakes. Because our trips are getting longer, and our tow rig is relatively light, I am thinking I ought to be adding some surge brakes at the least.

Any suggestions about where to start looking for kits, as well as any tips from your own experience with a similar project? How much is this going to cost me?

Thanks,

Mike

From: PS_Rick Sent: 11/26/2002 8:41 PM
Mike, I am in the same boat, well almost, mine is much older. I would like to get surge brakes on my trailer and was wondering what would be the best option. I to was hoping someone out there had done this and could help. Brakeless in Seattle.

Fred

From: Mike Sent: 11/26/2002 9:06 PM
Fred -

Well, it's your durn fault I am worried about the brakes. Lake Chelan? Remember? Your idea.

I know there was some talk on the C-Dogs a while back about a kit to change to disc brakes on trailers. So there must be an add-on kit out there. I am terible at surfing the web for info. I always find forty other things and forget what I was looking for. There will be someone on here who knows where to look, for sure.

Les is going to have to come back sooner or later. Dusty says he is swamped at work right now. Surely he will have some ideas to get us started.

Mike

From: Moskwass Sent: 11/26/2002 11:39 PM
here is a url for trailer brakes
http://www.championtrailers.com/
they have drum or stainless disc
Roger

From: Moskwass Sent: 11/26/2002 11:43 PM
I bought a cattle trailer once that only had brakes on one axle. before I could license it I had to put brakes on the other axle
I had to buy complete brake system with mounting plate
I welded the mounting plate on then was able to bolt the backing plate to the mounting plate with 4 bolts. then the braks and the drum. it was a job. and it would need to be painted well after welding on a boat trailer
Roger

From: Mike Sent: 11/27/2002 12:23 AM
Thank you, Roger.

That link is a great place to start. I have already requested one of their catalogs.

Speaking of painting galvanized metal, a product I highly recommend is LPS Cold Galvanize. We use it at the mill for either a top coat or primer, and it stands up amazingly well

Mike

From: stevej Sent: 11/27/2002 8:12 AM
Mike went surfing for break kits and did not see anyone out there offering one. Little suprized by that thought it would be a common upgrade.
Did find http://www.southwestwheel.com/ they have all of the parts give you an idea about cost if nothing else.
One comment on surge breaks, I guess some actuators come with a lockout feature that will allow you to backup a hill, mine does not support this feature so I use part of a 2x4 with 1/8" x 2" steel straps and clamp it between the coupler and actuator. It's a pain in the butt. Other than that they work very well.

steve

From: Redƒox Sent: 11/27/2002 9:06 AM
I used to have electric brakes and strongly advize against them! every year the shoes would delaminate. I was not able to rinse them after launching I will add, but never the less, I had poor performance or better stated, no performance after retrieving the boat untill they dried off.

From: Fun Patrol Sent: 11/29/2002 5:30 PM
Disc Brakes:

I converted to disc brakes a while back. I have a couple of pics on the Dog site, I'll try to find time to post them here. Tie Down Engineering has all the parts you need. They sell through all the major guys, West Marine, Boat US etc. I caught them on sale for about $100 an end, $200 per axle. Work great, easier to inspect and keep washed down than drums, and of course much less fading, more dependable, etc...the same reason all cars went to discs. For a total installation, you will need an actuator and some brake lines, all available via Tie Down or a bunch of others, boat shops, RV stores, etc.

The rules vary between the various States and Canada. Sometimes you need brakes on both axles, sometimes only if you are over ____lbs, sometimes only if you are towing with a light vehicle. I find my 22 Cruiser really needs them when I tow with the light Jeep Cherokee, but the motorhome couldn't care less.

Be safe out there! Roy

From: LesLampman Sent: 12/1/2002 4:33 PM
Mike,

There should be a bunch of info out there on brakes; both drum and disc. I think even Northern Hydraulics sells them and so do quite a few online marine sources I believe; you might check out Six Roblees.

As Roy mentioned Tie Down engineering has the disc brake kits available; you'll need to add the actuator and brake line tubing. You'll need the 12" model for the 15" wheels the 3700# EZ-Loader has.

If you go with disc brakes be sure and get the lockout solenoid. Disc brakes could couldn't care less what direction they're rotating and work just as well in reverse as they do going forward. The solenoid is generally set up to be energized by the backup lights on the tow rig so when you go to back up you can (the solenoid could also work off a cab mounted switch).

Les



From: Fun Patrol Sent: 3/2/2003 8:15 AM
I have added the photos of my disc brake convesion, including the lock-out solenoid to the photo albums. I am now adding a 2nd set to the other axle as I trailer all over and some states require brakes on all axles.

Roy