Community Forums

L0veless · 07-13-2018, 02:40 PM

first off thanks to everyone who helped me figure some things out

next if you are thinking about doing it STOP thinking about, it pull the trigger and don't look back.
took her out today for the test run and WOW is all I can say what a huge difference, and no electrical demons to worry about any more.

I would place this at a 5 in difficulty to do only because its time consuming any questions you have this place will give you the correct answer to move forward.

just for giggles I tested at around 20 hit the controller button and wham it locked down and stopped me. granted I will never do this again but its nice to know its there.

for the bearing and temp gurus here is what was going on when I got home

both front rotors were 161 deg. both rear rotors were 172 deg. thought this was a little high I shot the fender on my truck and it was 123 deg. I'm guessing fronts were cooler because they were getting fresh air. do you see anything wrong with these temps?

again thanks for the help

MtnTrek · 07-13-2018, 03:07 PM

Sounds good.
The IR guns are handy. I typically check all the hubs while traveling mostly looking for an oddballs etc.
Comparing the TV and the trailer on a long grade or exit ramp can help to know / fine tune your brake controller gain setting beyond just seat of the pants.

Congrats!

jacknife · 07-13-2018, 03:14 PM

Start at about 4 on your controller. Check to see if any lock up during normal braking.

L0veless · 07-13-2018, 03:26 PM

I will try that on my next trip right now its by the seat of my pants.
my controller settled in at around 5.5 that's where it felt the best after numerous tests.
my electric was set at 8.5
I'm pulling a 40 ft. Montana so its fairly heavy.

jelag · 07-23-2018, 04:07 AM

So I had some commercial trailers with DEXTER AXLE disc brakes.... I found that you have to watch the controller carefully... as any power applied to the booster mounted in the trailer will cause the disc brakes to drag and shorten the life of the pads...

The other issue we found is that the drivers liked the fact that the disc brakes had easily several times the braking power of electric drum brakes and liked the feel of how they stopped...

What we found is that we hardly got more than 18 months on a set of Dexter Pads, where we'd go 3 years on the truck pads... also, the disc pads for the trailer axles were close to $100 a set as a service part... if we didn't watch them close the pads would wear down and damage to rotors...

YES THIS SYSTEM IS GREAT but it requires much more attention and related maintenance to keep it working...

I think I still have a spare Carlisle Booster sitting on the shelf... you just can't go to the local parts store and buy one... no one seems to have them in stock..

DJNCJ · 07-23-2018, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jelag

So I had some commercial trailers with DEXTER AXLE disc brakes.... I found that you have to watch the controller carefully... as any power applied to the booster mounted in the trailer will cause the disc brakes to drag and shorten the life of the pads...

The other issue we found is that the drivers liked the fact that the disc brakes had easily several times the braking power of electric drum brakes and liked the feel of how they stopped...

What we found is that we hardly got more than 18 months on a set of Dexter Pads, where we'd go 3 years on the truck pads... also, the disc pads for the trailer axles were close to $100 a set as a service part... if we didn't watch them close the pads would wear down and damage to rotors...

YES THIS SYSTEM IS GREAT but it requires much more attention and related maintenance to keep it working...

I think I still have a spare Carlisle Booster sitting on the shelf... you just can't go to the local parts store and buy one... no one seems to have them in stock..

Curious how large the axles are you mentioned and what type of trucks you are referring to?

I am so impressed with the discs on my 5er (7000# axles) that last week I installed a disc system to my enclosed snowmobile trailer (3500# axles). So far I have not had to replace any pads but have only 5k miles or so on the camper.

MtnTrek · 07-23-2018, 05:17 PM

Precisely why I'd care to compare temps of TV and trailer hubs to insure they were braking as a tandem unit VS. one or the other grabbing the lions share of the load. Most inexperienced haulers might like the SOP feeling of the trailer grabbing aggressively taking wear & tear off their truck.

Some trailer brake mfrs. also like to use off the shelf parts already available. CIP: One Kodiak model uses pads off a GM auto, another uses some 1 ton truck version's. I doubt either would necessarily be up to prolonged hauling of a 20K backhoe via flat bed over challenging terrain.

Type of driving can make a difference. We once lived on a mountain accessible by a winding logging road that would wear out the marginal brakes on our Toyota mini van nearly annually. Toyota service had not seen anything like it. We moved and the problem went away.

On another point, I've noted that the integrated brake controllers on modern trucks, actuated by the master cylinder are far more precise and adaptable to the EoH pressure pump units. Compared the former styles of after market controllers.

The performance of disc over drum is pronounced though. As on vehicles it's easier peering through wheel holes for pad remaining VS. inspecting drums. As well as popping in pads.

L0veless · 07-23-2018, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtnTrek

Precisely why I'd care to compare temps of TV and trailer hubs to insure they were braking as a tandem unit VS. one or the other grabbing the lions share of the load. Most inexperienced haulers might like the SOP feeling of the trailer grabbing aggressively taking wear & tear off their truck.

Some trailer brake mfrs. also like to use off the shelf parts already available. CIP: One Kodiak model uses pads off a GM auto, another uses some 1 ton truck version's. I doubt either would necessarily be up to prolonged hauling of a 20K backhoe via flat bed over challenging terrain.

Type of driving can make a difference. We once lived on a mountain accessible by a winding logging road that would wear out the marginal brakes on our Toyota mini van nearly annually. Toyota service had not seen anything like it. We moved and the problem went away.

On another point, I've noted that the integrated brake controllers on modern trucks, actuated by the master cylinder are far more precise and adaptable to the EoH pressure pump units. Compared the former styles of after market controllers.

The performance of disc over drum is pronounced though. As on vehicles it's easier peering through wheel holes for pad remaining VS. inspecting drums. As well as popping in pads.

Im really not to concerend about "pad" life as i would be repacking bearings annually and these are B series pad pretty inexpensive from auto part stores.