Disc Brakes

[YellowXterra]

I got the drum brakes converted to Disc Brakes and all I can say is WOW what a difference. Should have done this before now.

 

[david-steph2018]

I got the drum brakes converted to Disc Brakes and all I can say is WOW what a difference. Should have done this before now.

Yes the difference is amazing with the disc brakes. We had our converted in June 2019 at the National rally in Goshen.

 

[CoveredWagon]

I can think of 3 times disc brakes have saved my bacon. Not our fault.

 

[jnbhobe]

Disc brakes are the best upgrade you can do !!!! I did mine 10 yrs ago.

 

[wdk450]

The 1 problem with disk brakes that I have encountered over the years is the fact that you can easily lock up the trailer wheels with the disk brakes without knowing it in the truck pulling the trailer. Some smoke from the trailer wheels and the smell of burnt rubber could be your only clue before you find ground flat spots on your expensive tires.

 

[mikeandconnie]

Nice, this will be my next addition. I have been lucky the last 200000 miles. My best friend not so lucky with his new Ford 900 miles on it with a simple fender bender $36000 repair bill, yes three zeros . The bolts broke on his Reese hitch and bent the aluminum bed and front end parts.

 

[jnbhobe]

The 1 problem with disk brakes that I have encountered over the years is the fact that you can easily lock up the trailer wheels with the disk brakes without knowing it in the truck pulling the trailer. Some smoke from the trailer wheels and the smell of burnt rubber could be your only clue before you find ground flat spots on your expensive tires.

If your sliding the wheels you have the brake control set too high.

 

[travelin2]

If your sliding the wheels you have the brake control set too high.

Yeah what Jon says


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CoveredWagon]

You can do that with drum brakes as well if the controller is set wrong. You typically need a less setting with disc brakes.

 

[Hockster]

Been towing for years with disc brakes and never locked up wheels.
Dave & Jon are right, back off controller.

Hockster

 

[jimcat]

A RV place picked our RV up in South Whitley to tow to Middlebury Indiana for some work on the roof.. But, before he left the driver noticed the brakes not working.. I just talked to him and he said they never did.. Disc Brakes.. 8 k axles.. I opened the chamber where the hydraulic fluid is.,. there is fluid in there. what could of been the issue? Or what may still be the issue? thanks.. the fella that towed it 500 plus miles originally for us did not report any issues. So, it has been sitting, since late August until last week

 

[Jim Posz]

A RV place picked our RV up in South Whitley to tow to Middlebury Indiana for some work on the roof.. But, before he left the driver noticed the brakes not working.. I just talked to him and he said they never did.. Disc Brakes.. 8 k axles.. I opened the chamber where the hydraulic fluid is.,. there is fluid in there. what could of been the issue? Or what may still be the issue? thanks.. the fella that towed it 500 plus miles originally for us did not report any issues. So, it has been sitting, since late August until last week

The trailer brake controller in the tow vehicle needs to be compatible with the electric over hydraulic disc brakes. It is possible that if it was not set up properly they did not actuate. One crude test if all you have is the trailer would be to pull the breakaway switch. The hydraulic pump should hum pretty loudly. Don't do this for long, just enough to test.

 

[cookie]

Did he happen to mention how he determined that the brakes never worked? If it's been sitting since August there might be a coating of rust on the rotors.

Peace
Dave

 

[jimcat]

He was pushing on is brake pedal and we were listening at the brake area for any clicks.. none

 

[wdk450]

One time my disk brake system went out, and I found that the power wire to the trailer battery from the accumulator/pump had come disconnected. I now ALLWAYS do a manual lever brake test on the truck controller BEFORE leaving the campground.

 

[cookie]

Jim Posz has the best info. But, you should have been listening for the brake actuator (pump) running up front. You most likely will not hear a click at the wheels like you will with the drum brake (magnets).

Peace
Dave

 

[wdk450]

There are manuals on the disk brakes system in the Tools tab at the top of each forum page.
Page 5 on this manual on the Hydrastar actuator has the wiring diagram for it:

https://manuals.heartlandowners.org/manuals/Exterior/Axle%20Suspension%20Brakes/Disc%20Brakes/HydraStar_SM%20Hydraulic%20Brake%20Actuator.pdf

There are also manual here on the complete Kodiak disk brakes system (the brand installed by Mor Ryde):

Heartland Owners Manuals

 

[jimcat]

The trailer brake controller in the tow vehicle needs to be compatible with the electric over hydraulic disc brakes. It is possible that if it was not set up properly they did not actuate. One crude test if all you have is the trailer would be to pull the breakaway switch. The hydraulic pump should hum pretty loudly. Don't do this for long, just enough to test.

How would one get that brake controller to be compatible?

 

[LBR]

How would one get that brake controller to be compatible?

What year is your tow vehicle?

On factory incorporated controllers, it mearly is a "Hyd/Elec" selection in the on-dash menu.

 

[jimcat]

What year is your tow vehicle?

On factory incorporated controllers, it mearly is a "Hyd/Elec" selection in the on-dash menu.

Thanks. I do not recall what year the young fellows truck is. I will pass it on to him