Galvanize Drums or NOT for Salt Water

[czizza]

Do you guys recommend Galvanized Drums for salt water only? I will trailer from my home to boat ramp on weekends.

The original owner removed the brakes from the trailer, so I have bought new brake kits (all galvanized) to replace my existing setup. However, the drums were not available. I found them online for $60 for regular and $120 for galvanized. They are double the cost.

If I don't go galvanized how long do you think the drums will last ... the ones I took off were 2 years old from my inheritance so I am not sure how old they were to the original owner.

The non-galvanized units I have are horrible.

Here is the old units:

[fitz73222]

It would be logical to assume that the galvanized drums last twice as long as the plain iron, hence double the price. Of course the boating season in your neck of the woods is much shorter than down here in Florida so with a good flushing after each use I would say 3-4 years. Drum brakes down here aren't worth their weight in scrap value and we choose stainless disc brakes because it is a necessity unless you're into living under your trailer doing repairs.

[gman 82 aquasport]

Agree with fitz on this one, stainless disc is the way to go. Have had mine on for 3 years now and tow the boat around 3k miles each season, still have the original pads in place (not even half worn) and the disc still are straight(no warping). biggest thing is getting used to the reverse lookout.

[czizza]

Thanks for all of the advice ... however at the moment I will continue with the drums the original owner did a number so let me get the trailer back to working then I can go down the road of modifying or selling it for better ... it will be easier to sell with working breaks.

Some eye candy of the old drums ... I will post up the new ones soon.

 



Nasty!!

[fitz73222]

Funny how its all about the oxygen. Throw that thing out in the water and it will be there in one piece 20 years from now and look about same!