Thank you. That’s a great start. I know the trailers illegal as it is. I have the break controller in my truck already as I have multiple trailers for work. I’ll look up Kodiak for a start. Thanks again.You are considering a fairly large project. First things first though. Your trailer is in its present state illegal to run on BC highways. You must have brakes on ALL axles to be legal.
Now for your project. You will need to make sure both axles have mounting flanges for the brake parts to mount to. It needs to be welded on. In all likely hood you do have them, (certainly on the axle that has brakes) but check to be sure.
You probably already know what parts you need to put drum brakes on, so I will concentrate on Disc Brakes.
You will need 4 hub and bearing kits to match your axle weight, bearing and seal sizes, with the correct bolt pattern and size for your present wheels.
There are brake line kits available but it is possible to construct your own from stainless brake line with flexible lines to each axle
You will need an electric over hydraulic actuator and brake away kit if the actuator does not come with one.
You will also require a truck mounted (usually under the dash )that will work with your new braking system. (electric over hydraulic)
This will not be an inexpensive project.
If your boat is above a certain weight (not exactly what but I think it is just north of 6000lbs) then this type of system is a requirement in BC. Under that weight and you are still ok with surge brakes.
Maintenance: Washing down with fresh water, everytime the trailer hits the salt water is a necessity to keep the brakes from seizing. It seems that salt crystals accumulate on the disc caliper slide pins in any event and will necessitate the removal and clean up as required, probably yearly. I have found that Salt-Away or perhaps even a similar product works quite well at removing salt accumulation. If you can, get all the metal parts in stainless steel or you will likely be repeating all of this in a few years.
IMO Kodiak makes the best disc brake conversion kits, but their are others available.
I probably missed something but others will let you know.
Have a look at the e-trailer website they have electric actuators that replace the surge actuator .Thank you. That’s a great start. I know the trailers illegal as it is. I have the break controller in my truck already as I have multiple trailers for work. I’ll look up Kodiak for a start. Thanks again.
CheersI did exactly what you want to do. Went from surge disk brakes to electric drum. Just couldn’t see installing new pads every year. We travel from Edmonton area to Prince Rupert every year. After the first 3 years of replacing the pads after 3200km, we switched. The long downhill grades smoked the pads pretty quick, the truck is big enough and with the engine brake there is no reason to heat up trailer brakes, it is a tridem trailer so all three axles had to be repaired. The local Bumper to Bumper had the complete backing plates with everything assembled, they also had the drum/spindles complete with bearings and seals. I had to add the break-away system and battery, the truck already had the electric brake system installed so no problem there. It is a sizable project with all the wiring but in my case it is worth it. Changed the coupler over from surge to normal and away we go.
Have all the parts left over from the surge disk system, disk/spindles, calipers, surge coupler, your probable going to see it all go through a Ritchie Brothers sale some time soon.
Get the numbers off of your bearings and axle weight and make if you can and hit your local B to B, they will help you out.
Good Luck
Wes
100% agreed, plus they are easier to rinse off with a hose.......dont need all the BS flushing crapolla that drums require. Pads are cheap and easy to change when servicing the calipers. Drums with the springs, adjusters, are dirty to work on....etc basically they are a PITA. Just my opinion as I have had many trailers with both and will never go back to drums.
CV Marine recommended a marine grade never seize that I use in mine. Once a year and no wear issues.Have they ever resolved the "do you lub the slide pin?" issue, if I recall the experts at Kodiak brake insisted the you don't , I have numerous problems with uneven brake pad wear. Believe me Kodiak brakes are not the end to be all of boat trailer brakes, still have problems with mine.
Makes sense to me , you have a brand name of the lube?CV Marine recommended a marine grade never seize that I use in mine. Once a year and no wear issues.