Brake recommendations

[bcc101]

I have an 2001 Osprey 175 on an EZ Loader trailer.
With the hilly terrain we often drive, I have considered installing brakes on the trailer.

Kodiak stainless caliper with dacomat(sp) rotors has been a recommended. I  have been considering these, but recently I had someone tell me to consider electric brakes.

Any thoughts?

Thanks, bruce

[fitz73222]

Hi Bruce,

Electric brakes are fine for 5th wheels and travel trailers that don't get dunked in water. Plus I'm not sure but I don't think you can get electric disk brakes; only drum brakes. That said; since you're in upstate New York you are not seeing much salt water? I appreciate the terrain your towing in. We used to pull my flats boat from Florida up to Lake George and camp out on the islands; pure paradise I might add but even with a 17' flats boat I wish I had trailer brakes on some of those grades. I have the Kodiak stainless disc brakes (surge type) under my 22-2 and they work very well. With some occasional maintenance, mainly keeping the caliper sliding pins and surge coupler well greased I have no issues. Now 1 point to mention about surge brakes and your terrain; for us flat landers, we don't see this problem but you might. That is backing up a grade. Surge brakes have an electric dump valve in the master cylinder that is actuated by the vehicle reverse light circuit that allows you to back up the trailer without the brakes engaging. This works fine on flat ground because the actuator is released and as long as trailer was not stopped on a downward slope (trailer higher than tow vehicle) everything works fine and trailer will back up. Now if you stop the trailer on a downward slope the actuator is under pressure and will not release the brake pressure when you shift into reverse and the brakes will stay locked. They make a special bypass kit for this situation so you can alleviate this condition. Get on the Demco Manufacturing website. www.demco-products.com and look at the model 91 actuators. The kit part number is 5404. Demco is a very popular brand of surge brake actuators that will work well with Kodiak brake system.  

Hope this helps...

[John Jones]

They do make an "electric over hydraulics" brake system where there is nothing electrical that gets dunked.  They don't have the back-up issue Fitz was talking about and they respond faster than surge brakes but I hear they are pretty expensive.

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-Adding-Elec ... rakes.aspx

[kraw2]

Whoever told you to use Kodiak SS rotors and pads with dacromet rotors is totaly correct..! That's what I use on my tripple axel trailer hauling a heavy 31' boat. The rotors are a wear item and don't cost that much to replace. With your small boat the rotors will last a long time with proper cleaning.

[bcc101]

Thank you all for your input.
I will most likely go with the Kodiak disc brakes. I will order the parts over the winter and get them on in the Spring.

Yes, we do have some really nice fresh water lakes around here. We get to the Adirondacks as well as the finger lakes.

We do not take a boat other than kayaks,but do get to Ft. Myers in February- the change is really niace that time of the year.
Thanks again.
Bruce

[kchaudha]

The Kodiaks would be great I am sure but they are pricey, no?
I went cheap and bought this set in 2011: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030I ... 06_s00_i00
Easy install and was nice to have everything replaced and new.
Almost always saltwater in Boston Harbor but I rinse off after every outing when I get home.  So far so good.  They won't last forever but they have been great so far and they are the perfect set for my 175 on EZ Loader trailer.  I was towing with my FWD Saturn Vue and didn't feel great about it (and had one scary close call because of difficulty to stop) until I got these brakes on - made a world of a difference.
However we just upgraded the family vehicle to a new Toyota Sequoia...I am guessing that I won't even feel the 175 towing behind anymore and may not even need trailer brakes for this relatively light rig.

[seabob4]

KC,
A 175 behind a Sequoia?  You'll have to keep looking in the rear view to make sure she's still there...

[kchaudha]

Yes I know!  This means it is time for an upgrade soon!  What's the rule of thumb?...always make sure you get the biggest boat that your tow vehicle can handle? :)
Now if I can only sneak it past the wife...

[bcc101]

A while ago I asked some questions about brakes for my ez loader. I appreciate the responses.

I am getting close and have a further question regarding the Tie Down model660 actuator for disc brakes. This comes with a reverse lockout solenoid which I assume will connect to the reverse circuit via the plug in my connector. I do prefer to disconnect the lights when launching.
I assume disconnecting the lights with also disconnect the solenoid. How then does one prvent the brakes from locking during backing?
Thanks, Bruce

[Blue Agave]

With the brakes you should have a 5-pin pigtail. After unplugging the pigtails, turn one pigtail 90 degrees so the pigtails are perpendicular to one another and plug it in so that only one pin, the ground, is plugged into the other pigtail.

[gman 82 aquasport]

I took the easy mans way out, I left my 4 pin plug that was already there alone and just tapped into my reverse lights under the rear of the truck and ran a new line taped to the old wires and put a plug on it and leave it plugged in after undoing the 4 pin.

[kchaudha]

A while ago I asked some questions about brakes for my ez loader. I appreciate the responses.

I am getting close and have a further question regarding the Tie Down model660 actuator for disc brakes. This comes with a reverse lockout solenoid which I assume will connect to the reverse circuit via the plug in my connector. I do prefer to disconnect the lights when launching.
I assume disconnecting the lights with also disconnect the solenoid. How then does one prvent the brakes from locking during backing?
Thanks, Bruce

Yeah, I used to prefer to disconnect the lights when backing up.   After installing the brakes, I just leave everything plugged in and have had no issues.
However, you can also manually disable the brake - there is a hole in the actuator where you can stick the pin and manually lock out the brakes temporarily

[icemanbryan]

I have another option.
I upgraded my trailer with 4 disc brakes.
(I have a very short trip to the launch.
But it is very heavy traffic through Newport Beach).
Anyway, I did the Tie Down setup all the way round.
We took out the Solenoid and installed a manual valve.
Just a 1/4 turn and it locks out.
Just remember to flip back, my Osprey is heavy, so I know real fast.
Anyway, just a possible option.
BTW, and no offense,  but at 17ft, do you even know it is there when towing?
I just sold my 17 ft Whaler.
I towed to the new owner, 25 miles away. I didn't even know it was there.