Choice of Electric over hydraulic actuator

journey on · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 7:25 pm Post subject:

Bob, when I wired up the boat batteries, as you suggested, for running the refrigerator, I noticed that the Ford had relays for all the lights and power coming through the trailer connector. So, when I turn off the motor, I'm shutting down the power line to the boat. Not a chance of running down the truck battery.

What marvels these new things be. Beats that Model A I with which started.

Boris

AK Angler · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 7:46 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 10:02 pm Post subject:

Rod,
Thanks for pointing that out. I would still would use the specific battery on the trailer--for a multiple of reasons. I would play it safe. I always hook up the emergency brake disconnect if the trailer is loaded or unloaded.

Certainly a C Dory trailer would not weight 3000 lbs--in fact mine weighed 1080 lbs. There are a number of other trailers such as one which carried a Bob Cat, or back hoe, where the empty weight would be over 3000 lbs.

I suspect that if there were an accident, and attorneys were involved, there could be an argument. In Florida statute (further down in Chapter,316,)
"(7) “Gross weight” means the net weight of a motor vehicle in pounds plus the weight of the load carried by it."

One of the possible scenarios is the boat comes off the trailer during an accident (not as uncommon as one might think--and we saw one this summer where that happened--boat and trailer separate in the medium and the truck upside down). Then the trailer is free from the boat--and there was/is no break away braking, with the boat off the trailer. Yet during the accident the trailer was loaded to its "load".

hardee · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 10:38 pm Post subject:

Bob Said : and there is stuff clipped.

AK Angler · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 11:24 pm Post subject:

Fair enough Bob.

I'm certainly not advocating that folks hook their breakaway system to the boat, especially if they feel at all uncomfortable with the operational or legal aspects of doing so. I'm just curious about the possibility.

But, to address the scenario you proposed: if the boat comes off the trailer, that action would necessarily reduce the gross weight on the trailer, would it not?

And, (being just a bit cynical here...) there are arguments whenever attorneys involved. It's what they are paid to do. So, even if the battery was mounted on the tongue... Was it properly charged? Were the connections solid, with no corrosion? Were the wires competent? Was the system installed by a professional? And, of course, the question that would likely overshadow everything else... Why did the boat come off the trailer in the first place?

Anyway, like I said, I'm just curious about the possibility. It seems like it could reduce the initial cost and reduce necessary maintenance over the life of the system.

Aurelia · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2014 1:40 pm Post subject:

We have also had good luck with E-trailer for about 6-8 purchases over the last few years. We also used a Prodigy controller in the past and it worked very well for us on travel trailers.

Greg

thataway · Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 7:31 pm Post subject: I made a mistake!

Well, I did order the majority of parts from Eastern Marine (Trailer Parts Super Store), and their service was great. I ordered the pedestal to keep the electrical actuator well clear from the water from Pacific Trailers (only folks that I saw who made them). The Pedestal arrived poorly packed (just wrapped with some packing tape, and no SS U bolts which were supposed to come with the pedestal were present. Called Pacific Trailers--talked to parts guy, and he assured me I would have the SS U bolts the next day…I asked, even though I am 2100 miles away--"yep". I followed up with 2 e-mails and no response from Pacific trailer--and 4 days later no U bolts--may come? The pedestal was not adjustable as advertised, and mine came with an extra 6" x 10" plate welded on the stand…I can use it, but not ideal.

Now the goof. I should have listened to Dave (Wil C) and gotten the Kodiak.
I ordered the complete BrakeRite set: Actuator for Electric over hydraulic, full line kit and BrakeRite 10" disc brakes.

I got the old wheels and hubs off before our temperature dipped into the 30's (yep Florida in November). Spindles were in great shape as were the Chinese bearings….

Put the caliper backing plates on, and the new rotor/hubs. The caliper castings had huge letters " CHINA"…There is a defect in 3/4 of the castings, or lack of machining of the surface where the outer brake pad fits. Only one of the four would fit into their slot. The lack of clearance was 0.16 +"--which when you are dealing with brakes is a large number. I have e-mails out to the "Brake Consumer Service" person at Titan, and the person I dealt with at Trailer Parts Super Store. Both were closed for the day by the time I got the e-mails off. But there is a major problem in Quality control with Titan, to have this degree of defect.

This photo is typical: Brake pad backing plate cannot recess into this slot to clear the rotor.

This photo shows the size of the gap where the pad backing plate can properly recess:

Note that there is a 0.158 inch difference (and this was not the narrowest).

Sure I can grind the casting down, and have the tools to do this…but this should not happen, and I am sure the many would not have the tools or the ability to machine these surfaces so they will work….

thataway · Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2014 11:59 am Post subject: Follow up

It took a few phone calls (the person who should have handled this issue at Titan was out because of medical issues)--but Titan issued a Warantee number and replacement order within 30 minutes of getting the information and photos to them. Eastern Marine followed up with a phone call to be sure that Titan had let me know. As I understand, Titan will send new calipers, and I send back the old ones to be sent to the vender (in China). Hopefully the QC will improve. If I had a problem, I suspect there are more out there.

We will see how long this takes.

thataway · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 12:46 pm Post subject: Excellent service

When you have a problem--it is great to know that someone like Chris or Darick at Trailer Parts SuperStore, have your back. Last night Fed EX came to pick up the defective calipers. But, they did not have the new calipers. Because we were not certain what parts would come with the new ones (pads, hydraulic fittings, I wanted the new ones first, before I sent back the old ones. I e-mailed Brake Rite (Lon Hatfield), and copied Chris at TPSS. Within 10 minutes I got a call from Derek--Chris was not available, but Darick would follow up in the Morning. (This was after 7 PM in Delaware!). Sure enough at 8 AM, I got an e-mail from Lon, saying that the new calipers would be delivered this PM, and that I needed to hang onto the old parts until we checked the new parts. A couple of hours Later Derek called me to let me know that all was on track and double check. In today's world, it is a real pleasure to have excellent service.

Too bad I could not have ordered the stand for the electric actuator from them--Pacific Trailer has still gotten the SS U bolds,, despite 3 e-mails and several phone calls over the last 10 days! Based on just this experience, I would put Pacific Trailers on the "Do not buy from" list. The trailer may be OK--but if there is a problem, the follow up appears to be non existent, once they have your money..! Sure I will order the U bolts from someone else--maybe even find them locally--but this is down right dishonest, to advertise that parts are included, to not send them, and then ignore follow up.
__________________

thataway · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 7:00 pm Post subject:

The replacement Calipers came this PM--they are all milled to 0.645 +/-.005" I know that they were hand picked and checked by personal at the warehouse. Titan is going thru their inventory to check for this defect.

I suspect that the milling stage was just missed on the defective units (in China).

colbysmith · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 7:02 pm Post subject:

I have ordered from E-Trailer a few times, and Amazon a lot. I've been happy with both. Pretty much for the same reasons listed by others. While I don't have the EOH system, I do have Electric brakes. I have been very happy with Dexter products, but don't know what their experience is in the EOH. Regarding Amazon, I routinely use their cheap free shipping for purchases over $35. It's usually a week or more before I see stuff, but I can wait, and the wait is usually reasonable. The break away system I use is fairly inexpensive, and a nice set up. http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Breakaway-Kit/Hopkins/20099.html (Many times can find cheaper on Ebay).

journey on · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 7:57 pm Post subject:

Kodiak does say that their brakes are made in the USA. I'm willing to pay the difference, if there is any. And I've had good luck with them.

I also think Hydrastar electric/hydraulic actuators still are made here. Mine is 10 years old and works well. Though I'm sure that is not necessarily a recommendation for their present model.

Boris

thataway · Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:45 pm Post subject:

Why did I go with Titan BrakeRite? It was one system, integrated, from the adaptor for the GM in the truck controller, thru the Electric over Hydraulic actuator, steel brake lines, to the calipers and rotors. There was a pre made pedestal to keep the controller well above the water. No having to buy other adaptors, cutting my own brake tubing, etc. all in a single package.

In retrospect, I certainly would have rather had the made in USA calipers. (In all the reading and investigation, I did after I got the system, the pads are what is used in a Kia Sephia, 1997 thru 2000). The few dollars difference in cost was not a factor.