Forum Discussion

stevemorris's avatar
stevemorris
Explorer
Jul 04, 2016

Brake Upgrade Continued

my quest for better braking on our 3000lb 22 ft tt continues

our dexter swing axles are 2200 pound rated and have pitiful 7 inch brakes

ive replaced ALL the wiring from the truck battery, controller, to the truck plug, new whip on the trailer, ALL the brake related wiring on the trailer including ground wiring on both truck and trailer

brake wiring is now all 10 ga (truck and trailer) to the junction box under the trailer where it splits into two 12 ga down each side of the trailer

full manual output from the controller, measured at the trailer junction box was 8 volts and 4 amps before. now its 12.5 volts and 11.75 amps under the trailer

braking performance is hugely improved but no where near as good as our previous trailer of similar size and weight but with 10 inch brakes. also I have to run the controller at full output

so I'm investigating changing to 10 inch brakes, the 7 inch brakes wont last long anyway.
  • stevemorris's avatar
    stevemorris
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    SoCalDesertRider wrote:
    It may be simpler, easier and not too much more money to change out the whole axle assemblies for 3500 lb axles, with new brakes. You can use your existing springs, or change to heavier ones if they're squishy.


    I did consider that, problem is that they are torflex swingarm axles, no leaf springs.
  • stevemorris's avatar
    stevemorris
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    I have been in contact with etrailer via emails. they have been very helpful and knowledgable, the woman I've been working with sure knows her stuff about axles, brakes and drum/hubs
    she is looking into the inner bearing and seal issue and is confident that one can be found. I am too, I'm familiar with bearings and sizes of them

    yes I could replace the axles with 3500 lb axles, but the 2200 axles seem fine, trailer rides very nicely and the axles and brakes are actually like new, very few miles on the trailer
  • johntank's avatar
    johntank
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    stevemorris wrote:
    Griz14 wrote:
    Have you compared the size of the magnets used in the 7" to the 10" drums? I am wondering if they could be changed out to whatever is used in the 10" drums would help.


    no I haven't, good thought though
    the issue now is that we're going wear out those little brakes in no time, so to replace them with 10 inch is basically the same cost from etrailer.

    but I need to find inner bearings and seals to fit between the new drums and my spindles. outer bearings are the same

    we're planning a 5 week 7000 km trip in august to the east coast of Canada, so I expect the brakes will be toast by the end of that!


    If you are getting your stuff from etrailer, you should be able to find both the bearings and seals too, just have to spend some time to go through the bearings & seal sections with the measurements you need.

    Another way is to know the diameter of the spindle at each place a bearing (outer & inner) and seal ride with this info the people at etrailer can help.

    I hope you will be using new outer bearings too with a new drum/hub.
  • keymastr's avatar
    keymastr
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    Also be sure to secure the wire bundles so they do not flex when hitting bumps etc. Soldered connections are no longer preferred because they can crack from vibration and movement. Crimp connectors are the standard in the auto and marine industry because of that.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    I have followed your quest for good performance from 7" brakes. I have dealt with 7" brakes on various popup, utility and snowmobile trailers since 1977. My advice, give it up, I am convinced that they exist to meet certain legal requirements and functionality is only an afterthought. The 3500lb axles with 10" brakes have some issues as well. If you want to have good, reliable braking just bypass the junk and move to disk brakes.
  • SoCalDesertRid1's avatar
    SoCalDesertRid1
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    It may be simpler, easier and not too much more money to change out the whole axle assemblies for 3500 lb axles, with new brakes. You can use your existing springs, or change to heavier ones if they're squishy.
  • stevemorris's avatar
    stevemorris
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    Griz14 wrote:
    Have you compared the size of the magnets used in the 7" to the 10" drums? I am wondering if they could be changed out to whatever is used in the 10" drums would help.


    no I haven't, good thought though
    the issue now is that we're going wear out those little brakes in no time, so to replace them with 10 inch is basically the same cost from etrailer.

    but I need to find inner bearings and seals to fit between the new drums and my spindles. outer bearings are the same

    we're planning a 5 week 7000 km trip in august to the east coast of Canada, so I expect the brakes will be toast by the end of that!
  • Griz14's avatar
    Griz14
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    Have you compared the size of the magnets used in the 7" to the 10" drums? I am wondering if they could be changed out to whatever is used in the 10" drums would help.
  • stevemorris's avatar
    stevemorris
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    degraded wiring results in huge looses!!

    the fuse holder under the hood of the truck alone showed a voltage drop of 0.5 volts at 12 amps, just the fuse holder!!

    I must have eliminated a half dozen marrettes(twiston wire connectors), 20 or more crimpon connectors, crimpon terminal ends at the batteries and ground connections, I even replaced the crimpons on the breakaway switch

    everything now has soldered connections, either wire to wire or wire to crimpons
    huge difference!!
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2016
    Thanks for sharing and documenting your efforts. It may become very helpful for others with the same situation. Heck, even an old dog like me may learn a new trick. :B

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