Hyd vs Elec Trailer Brakes

[TractorBob1529]

Bought a used equipment trailer with hyd brakes setup. Set up does not work at the moment. I stripped down the trailer to be redeck and thought should I setup electric brakes or try to fix the hyd brake system?

What are the Pro's and Con's of each braking system for the trailers?

 

[Dmace]

Pros for hydraulic trailer brakes:
Any vehicle can tow it, no brake controller needed. Plus there is no adjustment needed for different loads like an electric brake controller setup.

I still prefer electric brakes for their ease of maintenance, cheap repairs and lighter weight. Plus your buddy can't borrow your trailer because he doesn't have a controller. :thumbsup:

 

[Diamondpilot]

I will add that hydraulic brakes can be converted to disc brakes which just like on a car are about 2 times more effective, cheap to maintain, and dead simple.

They also dont seem to fade as much as electric brakes do as they get hot.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

I will add that hydraulic brakes can be converted to disc brakes which just like on a car are about 2 times more effective, cheap to maintain, and dead simple.

Do they have kits for this? I would love to have disc brakes on a heavy equipment trailer!

 

[Morning Wood]

Nothing wrong with hydraulic surge brakes. they are the dominant braking system on boat trailers. If you want to change the brakes to disc which I would recommend go with Kodiak brand. Tie Down is another brand but they aren't as nice. They may be fine is you aren't dipping them in salt water all the time though. Biggest thing with surge brakes is to install the reverse solenoid which will activate a solenoid when your vehicle goes into reverse and the brakes won't work. Otherwise, with good brakes they will lock up. If you switch to electric you most likely may need new axles. Don't really know for sure on that but it is my gut feeling.

 

[bcp]

Southwest Wheel Company - Disc Brake Kits

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Trailer_Brakes.aspx

Bruce

 

[Diamondpilot]

Do they have kits for this? I would love to have disc brakes on a heavy equipment trailer!

Yep, do it all the time. I have done it to all my trailers except my car haul trailer which has 3.5K axles and electric brakes on only one axle. They are so effective that you can not back up a 7,000# trailer on a slight grade like the average suburban driveway with a 4x4 truck in low range. You will just sit and smoke the tires.

I install backup lock out solenoids on all that I convert on the back side of the master cylinder and then wire it to the center pin of the 7 round plug which should coordinate to the reverse lights on the tow vehicle. The solenoid runs about $40 blocks the flow of fluid from the master cylinder whenever the tow vehicle is put into reverse. I had to wire it up so my tractors can activate it also because there is no way you can push a medium sized boat backwards with even a 50 HP tractor.

The kits I buy are made by Kodiak and Tie Down. I like the Kodiak the best but both are good. I have never converted a 3.5K axle but have done lots of 5,2K, 6K, and 7K axles. The last project I did was about a month ago and it was $219 per axle to my door for Kodiak's with all parts for a 6K axle.

No need for new axles. Axles are axles.

By the way when looking at disc brakes I only buy the type like that are found on the front end of trucks, ect. Where the disc simply slides over the studs on a idler hub. They also make them where the disc and hub are all one part. Pain in the arse in my opinion. Who wants to take off the hub with the bearings and seal to do a brake job??? I dont understand why they sell them this way?

Chris

 

[Egon]

Are the towing vehicle brake systems adaquate to support the additional braking?

ABS, Traction control?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Are the towing vehicle brake systems adaquate to support the additional braking?

ABS, Traction control?

Not sure you follow us here. The trailer has its own seperate master cylinder to support itself.

Chris

 

[Egon]

OK, now I understand.:thumbsup:

 

[TractorBob1529]

I still have mix feelings about the conversion to electric brakes. I rather fix up the hyd surge brake if I can, but upon inspection, there is quite a bit fixing to do. Not even sure if drum or disk brakes yet...all I know is that it don't work with tons of broken brake lines. Are you guys suggesting I convert or try to work out the kinks of the hyd system? :confused2:

To note the trailer I have is a 1997 Cronkhite Model# 2700, rated for 12300 lbs and I'll be towing a KX121-3 gross at 9000 lbs. Is that trailer rated enough for the excavator?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think you can fix it. Cost is the same either way.

The trailer should haul it but will be maxed out.

Chris

 

[Morning Wood]

I still have mix feelings about the conversion to electric brakes. I rather fix up the hyd surge brake if I can, but upon inspection, there is quite a bit fixing to do. Not even sure if drum or disk brakes yet...all I know is that it don't work with tons of broken brake lines. Are you guys suggesting I convert or try to work out the kinks of the hyd system? :confused2:

To note the trailer I have is a 1997 Cronkhite Model# 2700, rated for 12300 lbs and I'll be towing a KX121-3 gross at 9000 lbs. Is that trailer rated enough for the excavator?

A friend has a KX121-3 with cab, thumb, blade, and steel tracks. Thought he was right around 10k in weight. 9k seems light for that machine unless its rubber tracks and canopy. I would prefer a 14k trailer. You're just going to have to load tongue weight heavy so as not to max out the axles, but be careful not to max out your hitch, truck axles, etc. If you stay surge brakes you're going to want to convert to disc. compare the cost of converting to disc and converting to electric drum. Them make a decision.

 

[rockshaft]

You could always go electric over hydraulic as well. That way you can have a quality hydraulic disc, and have it actuated by your trucks braking, not through surge alone.

 

[TractorBob1529]

The KX121-3 is basically stripped down, rubber tracts and a canopy. 9000lbs is my best guess for the ex, I'm thinking more close to 10,000lbs after all that is said and done. I'm looking into disc brakes, but that's alot to front, plus there is drum brakes on the trailer currently. Decisions, decisions. Thanks for all the input so far.

Does anyone have the specs for the Cronkhite Model 2700? I am assuming the GVWR is 12,300 since I can not read only the stamped numbers and all the print is rubbed off.

 

[duroc]

Bought a used equipment trailer with hyd brakes setup. Set up does not work at the moment. I stripped down the trailer to be redeck and thought should I setup electric brakes or try to fix the hyd brake system?

What are the Pro's and Con's of each braking system for the trailers?

I've had both and prefer the electric. The main reason I like electric is because if for any reason the "tail wags the dog" you can reach down and tap the thumb lever on the brake controller and it will straighten the trailer out. This may not sound like a big deal, but when it happens (and eventually it will) you'll be glad the brake system is electric. As always...JMHO! YMMV!

 

[travis potter]

I have surge disc brakes on my small tool trailer with the disc they are self adjusting with elect I was tolled they need to be adjusted every 3,000 miles for best stoping.

 

[duroc]

I don't doubt *your* word, but who ever told you that electric brakes need to be adjusted every 3k is wrong.

 

[Morning Wood]

You need to lube and adjust electric brakes 1 time a year minimum regardless off mileage.

As for the GVWR of your trailer, look at the tires. Add up their weight ratings and it Gould tell you if you have 5200, 6000, 7000 lbs axles. Alot I manufacturers seem to be putting smaller axles on trailers and then adding the proposed tongue weight to the GVWR. Example. 6k axles and trailer is rated for 13,200 or something.

 

[TractorBob1529]

Being broke is a big factor, so I am going to try to salvage the surge/drum brakes. But if I run into buying more parts to be replaced in the system, then why not spend the money to upgrade. I'm hoping a line or two...guess we'll see.