Why do trailer brake shoes cost so much?

agesilaus wrote:
Well here's a place selling Dexter parts, cheap. I don't know anything about them and beware of shipping costs: Trailer Parts Superstore

I've bought boat trailer parts and a boat trailer disc brake setup from them. Also some RV parts. They are one of the few places that seems to know something about the stuff they sell. Actually went to inventory and pulled measurements on some parts I thought I could adapt to my boat trailer. So I can recommend them. You can subscribe to an email list, and they put full brake assemblies on sale fairly often.

I learned from the boat trailer brakes that at least some disc trailer brakes use automotive pads, and that can make the replacement cost a lot lower than "marine trailer brakes." I don't know if the shoes for drum brakes are organized the same way.

time2roll wrote:
Yes for the same reason I am going to install disk very soon.
All my other vehicles are disk so the trailer may as well be same.

Yeah, I'd like to have disks, but spending over $2000 to put disk brakes on a 7 year old trailer when it's original brakes still work is not very sensible. And I'm cheap. :)

Well here's a place selling Dexter parts, cheap. I don't know anything about them and beware of shipping costs: Trailer Parts Superstore

Yes for the same reason I am going to install disk very soon.
All my other vehicles are disk so the trailer may as well be same.

They're off the Dexter 7,000 lb. axle with EZ Lube hub. A 12" by 2" brake assembly, I believe.

Actually it's the idea that you can buy the whole assembly for not much more than the shoes cost that irks me too. And I hate drum brakes too. But I just can't cut loose with a couple thousand dollars for disc brakes. These work, but I hate working on drum brakes.

And I do appreciate the advice and commiseration. :)

Tell us what size the shoes are. I have a source, maybe.

Richard

Just buy the whole assembly new. I think there are three or four easy to remove bolts thru the backing plate that holds the whole thing on. Then You splice the electric wire and that's it, job done. I HATE working on drum brakes myself.

Just one example from Amazon

Make sure you get the right size and the right side. I bought them from a local RV place and didn't pay this much IIRC, may have been $35. Check Rock Auto, tho I'm not sure they carry RV parts or other online vendors.