Trailer brake is stuck

[4570Man]

1000/1300/1500/1800kg light duty stuff is dirt cheap in Europe. 9 ton class 8 stuff too.

But brake parts for 2500/3500kg axles that is made to order in low volumes, oh my!
When i worked in the trailer business 15 years ago, we used 5.5 ton axles as standard, even on trailers on which we used a 4 ton air suspension and 3.5 ton rated tires: Still cheaper than custom ordering a complete set of 3.5 ton axle and suspension, and hoping the manufacturer wouldnt reschedule manufacturing them, when they were busy and didnt want to waste time retooling production.

You can buy semi brake drums for like $100 here. 7,000 pound trailer axels are common here and those assemblies are pretty cheap. 10k and 15k trailer axels aren’t as common as semi trailers obviously but there’s enough of them that you’re not paying for rarity. But for some unknown reason 10k axel brakes are ridiculously expensive. You’ll be out at least $500 probably more like $750 to buy a 10k drum and pad assembly. Disk brakes on trailers are gaining popularity but they aren’t the norm here. Air brakes on light duty trailers are non existent here.

 

[BravoXray]

You can buy semi brake drums for like $100 here. 7,000 pound trailer axels are common here and those assemblies are pretty cheap. 10k and 15k trailer axels aren’t as common as semi trailers obviously but there’s enough of them that you’re not paying for rarity. But for some unknown reason 10k axel brakes are ridiculously expensive. You’ll be out at least $500 probably more like $750 to buy a 10k drum and pad assembly. Disk brakes on trailers are gaining popularity but they aren’t the norm here. Air brakes on light duty trailers are non existent here.

Yes, it always amazed me that I could put new shoes and drums on a semi tractor or trailer cheaper than I could on a car or pickup truck. The exceptions were a couple of trucks that had wedge brakes instead of the S-cam type, those 15" Centrifuse drums were $250 apiece. I change a couple of those trucks over to regular 17" S-cam brakes. It was cheaper to buy used spiders, cams, adjusters and air chambers than to buy new 15" drums.
I remember back in the 70s, Valley Truck Parts in Grand Rapids had a sale on 1700 series Spicer u-joints for $20 a piece. Having a fleet of trucks that used them, I bought 20 of them. That kept me supplied for a couple of years.

 

[WinterDeere]

Sales volume is everything when it comes to component pricing, although I'm honestly surprised there's not enough volume in any pickup truck design, to level that field.

 

[4570Man]

Sales volume is everything when it comes to component pricing, although I'm honestly surprised there's not enough volume in any pickup truck design, to level that field.

If 10 people in the whole country bought one I would completely understand paying a big premium. But there’s enough 20k trailers out there that it shouldn’t be a problem.

 

[WinterDeere]

If 10 people in the whole country bought one I would completely understand paying a big premium. But there’s enough 20k trailers out there that it shouldn’t be a problem.

I hear what you're saying, but I'm not sure I'd take the reasoning that far. I must see 100 or more semi trailers for every 20k trailer, on the road. Replacement brake parts for 20k trailers might be sold relatively low volumes, because those trailers just see a lot less mileage.

Looking at the 7k trailers that I've always owned, I've watched entire trailer assemblies rot away from exposure, before they ever needed brake work. My own trailer falls into that category, as its usage is infrequent and local. I used it today, probably 8 miles round trip, and probably won't use it again until after Christmas.

Things as simple as making parts in enough volume to fill a truck, versus shipping them common carrier or LTL, add up to really affect final product cost.

 

[nisaacs]

But for some unknown reason 10k axel brakes are ridiculously expensive. You’ll be out at least $500 probably more like $750 to buy a 10k drum and pad assembly.

If you do some digging, they can be had for about $350.

10k drum:

10K GD Trailer Axle Drum - 8 lug | Trailer Parts Outlet

10k brake assembly:

Right Hand 10k General Duty Axle Brake Assembly | Trailer Part

 

[Renze]

Air brakes on light duty trailers are non existent here.

ABS is mandatory when axle load of a semitrailer exceeds 3500kg or 7700 pounds. That meant we had to use big rig components, with a heavy duty 12V electric compressor and ABS computer.

I am out of that business for 16 years, but nowadays they manufacture brake systems very similar to what you guys are used to, by reprogramming a Bosch ABS/ESP unit, so as soon as the brake light comes on, a G sensor senses the retardation and helps braking accordingly by sending oil pressure to the wheel brakes, they make trailer axles with the components from a Mercedes Sprinter or an Iveco Daily. This way they can build brakes and axles that meet the mandatory 0.5G brake retardation and ABS, while using parts that are produced in bulk.