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diazr2's avatar
diazr2
Explorer
Oct 05, 2013

Changing Drum brakes to Disc brakes on a 8000lb fifth wheel?

Has anyone tried to change the electric drum breaks to hydraulic Disc breaks on their fifth wheel. I just completed this task on my 10000lb boat trailer I like it so well I was going to do it with my fifth wheel but I am not sure that the axles will take the disc break kit. I called about it and told them I have Dexter axles they were not sure they would fit. I am going to us a Electric over hydraulic actuator my only concern is that the axles are some how different on my fifth wheel than they are on the boat. Anybody out there that has done this?

Thanks to anyone that can help
Ray
  • Thanks Chris I went to that sight but it's not what I had in mind. I have never seen disc breaks like that I am not even sure if they are hydraulic or electric. The main reason that won't work is the price..... HOLY MOLY 1000.00 bucks per tire. Now something is wrong with that picture for sure... The actuator alone is going to cost about 800.00 dollars if you add that to the price of those breaks the whole job will be well in excess of 5k. I did my boat same size axles for 2k of course I do realize if I can't get the Zodiacs to fit its a mute point but thanks for the info I really appreciate it.
  • Yep Scott I figured it has been done many times and lots of folks have done it. That's why I was hoping that one of them would be able to help me with it. You know like give me the name of the dealers that are experts on this. I am not taking it to a shop I am doing it myself so I need a parts house that knows RV trailers. I have called many parts places they all know boat trailers not RVs So if just one of the thousands of people that have done this wouldn't mind sharing the source of their parts dealer I would appreciate it.

    Thanks for your Reply
  • It's been done many times. As long as you get a kit that's specific to your axles, it will work.
    If the vendor doesn't know if his kit will work, move on to another that knows RV's better - there are many.

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