Disc brake conversion

[Cate&Rob]

The cost of the disc brakes seems like a lot . . . until you have to pay for the damage that having disc brakes would have prevented.

Rob

[Second Chance]

...However - I think it's safe to assume that disc brakes would out perform drums in that scenario and also in the scenario of repeated stops.

Tom

Our stopping distance during a "panic stop" situation (both real-life and for the annual Texas vehicle inspection) was cut by more than half when the disc brakes were installed (by MOR/ryde along with the independent suspension). They also run much cooler as measured by a laser thermometer.

Rob

[TucsonJim]

We had a disc brake installer show up at the Quartzsite rally. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the company. I was ready to have them installed until he made a comment that seemed to be inaccurate.

I recently changed my OEM bearings to Timken brand. When I asked the salesman what bearings they were using, he said he wasn't sure of the brand, but said they were "Chinese manufactured bearings". He went on to state that "Chinese bearings are much better than Timken bearings". After that comment I wasn't really sure I could believe any of his sales pitch.

I think I'd still like to do the conversion. But I'll do it myself and make sure that I use quality bearings while doing so.

Jim

[warsw1]

I also have a 375res. What I did was switch to Dexter 8K lb axles, springs and hubs. The brakes on the 8K lb axles have almost twice the braking surface of the 7K lb axles. I also went to never-lube bearings so I wouldn’t have to deal with any issues of grease on the brakes. The brakes on the 8K axles will really stop this trailer. I don't know how they compare with the disk brake that some are installing but the new 8K lb axles and brakes are amazing. I also went with the MORryde heavy duty shackle kit with brass bushings and wet bolts. These are the axles that should have come on the 375res from the factory IMHO. There are other benefits when to going to the Dexter 8K axles that might interest you and may be worth looking into.

[Cate&Rob]

At the Tampa RV Show, I had some interesting discussion with Bill Halasyn from Stop Your Trailer [email protected] (who many of us have purchased disc brake kits from) and Randy McMann from Dexter [email protected] The Titan electric/hydraulic disc brake business has been acquired by Dexter who will be the supplier of these parts under a slightly different name but keeping the "Titan" part. If you are thinking about upgrading to disc brakes, a conversation with Bill would certainly be worthwhile and with Dexter now supplying axles to GDRV, this would seem like an obvious match-up.

Rob

[D2Reid]

I'm having some serious reservations about forking out the moola for disc brakes. I'm not so all fired hopping ready to get replace the drums on the 337 with discs. Tom

Tom, I am in the same boat. I had disk brakes on my old 5th wheel so I know that they are a superior brake. I have my 376 scheduled for warranty and maintenance in March. When they pull the wheels and hubs I will be able to see for myself what's going on. I am a very cautious driver, particularly when towing. So I have been holding off on the conversion waiting to see if I need to upgrade the hubs and bearings also.

Of course I did not get the better tire, holding off hoping that they would be ok.

One issue that I had with my old 5th wheel was finding people who really knew what they were talking about. I am sure the folks Rob listed in his post know, local dealers not so much.

[Second Chance]

...I am a very cautious driver, particularly when towing.

You can be the most cautious driver on the planet, but you can't control what other people do. We were doing the speed limit (55, if I recall) on a two-lane FM road in central Texas a couple of years ago when four young people in a compact car decided to pass both of us (my wife follows in the Toyota on travel days) crossing a double yellow line to do so. They pulled in about 10 feet in front of my bumper - barely clearing oncoming traffic - and slammed on the brakes to make a right turn into an NFS ranger station. There was almost a flat car and four fatalities with that one. Brakes are what saved their lives.

Rob

[offtohavasu]

You can be the most cautious driver on the planet, but you can't control what other people do. We were doing the speed limit (55, if I recall) on a two-lane FM road in central Texas a couple of years ago when four young people in a compact car decided to pass both of us (my wife follows in the Toyota on travel days) crossing a double yellow line to do so. They pulled in about 10 feet in front of my bumper - barely clearing oncoming traffic - and slammed on the brakes to make a right turn into an NFS ranger station. There was almost a flat car and four fatalities with that one. Brakes are what saved their lives.

Rob

Talk about restraint Rob. I'm not sure how there weren't any fatalities after the successful braking experience after doing that to you.

[Cate&Rob]

A similar situation is what finally convinced me that I needed disc brakes. Driving in the right lane with nothing in front of me. Coming up the left lane is a small sedan with a fully lit fire engine behind him. Luckily I was already slowing because as soon as the sedan was past me he cut in and nailed the brakes to a complete stop (I guess he thought that was what he was supposed to do). I had the choice of pulling out in front of the fire engine or hoping I didn't flatten the sedan. There was no shoulder, only a guardrail. I got stopped just in time. Similar (but less severe) incidents since adding the trailer disc brakes have not been anything to take particular notice of. Cautious driving does not cover the need for emergency braking capability.

(another) Rob

[Second Chance]

Talk about restraint Rob. I'm not sure how there weren't any fatalities after the successful braking experience after doing that to you.

Probably not so much restraint, Curtis, as other circumstances:

1) There were four of them and one of me - and they were less than half my age,
2) I missed the turn into the ranger station and I don't think there would have been room in the small parking lot for me to turn the rig around,
3) (Probably most important) I was probably shaking enough to make shooting accurately or landing a good punch difficult...

Rob