Disk or Drum

[UltraLucky]

Updating the brakes on my trailer overhaul and trying to decide on replacing the drum assemblies or switching out to Disks since the master is getting replaced as well.
My last Trailer, an Extreme had disks on both axles and was a constant pain in the ass getting the reverse solenoid to work consistently. Always had to get out out and manualing lock out the brakes when ever you wanted to backup. Curious what others experience with the disks on there boat trailers has been.

Thanks

 

[PDQH2O]

Updating the brakes on my trailer overhaul and trying to decide on replacing the drum assemblies or switching out to Disks since the master is getting replaced as well.
My last Trailer, an Extreme had disks on both axles and was a constant pain in the ass getting the reverse solenoid to work consistently. Always had to get out out and manualing lock out the brakes when ever you wanted to backup. Curious what others experience with the disks on there boat trailers has been.

Thanks

No decision to make. Go disc any day. Outside of a 5 pin connector issue (the solenoid pin broke) I've had no problems at all. Plus disc brakes have more stopping power.

 

[Advantage 1]

My reverse solenoid is a pain too. I drilled a hole and use a pin when I reverse so the tongue cannot compress and stop me. Works much better than those 'keys'.

 

[Ziggy]

Mine has an electric reverse lockout solenoid that activates when putting truck in reverse. Backing up has never been an issue for me.
.
I do need a new master though

 

[Wonsley66]

http://www.cargobrake.com/products/hydrastar-xl-trailer-brake-actuators/

 

[Advantage 1]

Mine has an electric reverse lockout solenoid that activates when putting truck in reverse. Backing up has never been an issue for me.

Both of my trailers were spotty at best. First was Zieman, now Competitive. Two different trucks too. Maybe operator error [emoji4]

 

[Ziggy]

Both of my trailers were spotty at best. First was Zieman, now Competitive. Two different trucks too. Maybe operator error [emoji4]

Last few years my master has been blown so it doesn't matter. Hate the clunk when leaving a light though. I drive 5 miles to/from the ramp at 35mph max so I ain't in any hurry to replace it.

 

[mjc]

The electric over hydraulic is the only way to go. I did it years ago and the braking control with them is fantastic. I can move the lever on the control and stop my truck and trailer with just trailre brakes.

 

[Racey]

Honestly, if it goes in and out of the water I think drums last longer, I've had a couple sets of discs get corrosion between the caliper and piston and get locked up big time.... You don't have those issues with drums even though they are the inferior braking system.... It's kinda damned if you do, damned if you don't.

The electric over hydraulic systems are great, just make sure you have the pump mounted high enough that it never gets in the water.

 

[McRib]

Brakes are for pussies!

 

[Old Texan]

Brakes are for pussies!

That's what Jr figured Sat nite when he rear ended Danica......Got her all hot.:skull

 

[McRib]

That's what Jr figured Sat nite when he rear ended Danica......Got her all hot.:skull

Jr? Wtf is a Danica? Is that a NASdouche thing? [emoji14]

 

[ColdSteel]

Jr? Wtf is a Danica? [emoji14]

I think it's a kitchen accessory.

 

[CampbellCarl]

I think it's a kitchen accessory.

I think so too...best to PM DaytonaBabe and ask...she is the resident kitchen dweller...

 

[brendellajet]

I had discs. Replaced the calipers and the brakes stayed on coming down a freeway on ramp. Brakes caught fire. Caught it before it did any damage to boat or trailer. Admittedly this could have been a problem with the actuator.

I researched the different systems and decided on electric drums. They are cheaper, easy to replace, and they look good sitting in the box for the last 3 years.:skull luckily my boat is small so brakes not necessary, but they will be nice when I get off my ass and put them on.

 

[Cray Paper]

Once I replaced all the broken stuff on my extreme trailer the discs work OK. Electric over hydraulic would be best but for now surge brakes will have to do. It does suck hearing that "thunk" every time pulling away from a stop but it isn't annoying enough to spend the dough to convert. Never had an issue with backing up, they always release, at least with my truck. Tries it once with my wife's last Tahoe, locked up tight and had to use the spacer. Just need to wire the tow rigs trailer plug correctly.

 

[Wombat]

The electric over hydraulic is the only way to go. I did it years ago and the braking control with them is fantastic. I can move the lever on the control and stop my truck and trailer with just trailre brakes.

Every different boating site says the same thing, Electric over Hydraulic is the ducks guts.:thumbup: This is the way l will be going for sure.

 

[Wombat]

Honestly, if it goes in and out of the water I think drums last longer, I've had a couple sets of discs get corrosion between the caliper and piston and get locked up big time.... You don't have those issues with drums even though they are the inferior braking system.... It's kinda damned if you do, damned if you don't.

The electric over hydraulic systems are great, just make sure you have the pump mounted high enough that it never gets in the water.

I would have thought that S/S discs and calipers would have stopped that problem.

 

[Wombat]

I think so too...best to PM DaytonaBabe and ask...she is the resident kitchen dweller...

That sounds like fighting words.

 

[rush1]

My trailer is converted from drums to disk and they work great, on all my trailers I've ever had the drums were always a pain in the ass. So far this trailer with disk brakes and the solenoid reverse lock out ,it works great with no issues.

 

[UltraLucky]

Thanks for the replies.
I never could get the reverse solinoid to work cosistently with the disks on my Extreme. Had the trailer since new, tried replacing solinoid rewiring and diffrent trucks. Took it back to Extreme still never was right.
Just hate to replace drums with drums. Electric over hydrulic seems like the way to go but a bit of overkill for a 21' boat