Dexter axel brake up grade
We have a large teardrop trailer,(I know kind of an oxymoron), and the TV is a Subaru Outback 3.6L H6. The tear has 7" brakes on a Dexter axle. Dexter says there is no way to upgrade to 10" brakes. ...
Forum Discussion
As I see you are from Ohio my guess is that it's possible you dont do much mountain driving. Your post sounds to me like you just need some help in learning to properly descend a long steep slope.
If your car brakes were smoking you were definitely going to fast. The brakes on the Subaru outback are good and disc on all four wheels if I remember correctly.
If you have an automatic transmission downshift to second gear as you crest the summit, start down the hill. Now you can let it rev up and gain some speed up to lets say 50mph, now touch the brakes lightly several times with a short interval in between (don't pump them)this should slow you down to about 40mph. Continue letting your car and trailer gain speed up to a safe and comfortable level again lets say 50, and keep repeating the process. (this of course would differ based on the road and grade)
Doing this your brakes get a chance to cool down and will stop you with no problem.
DO NOT ride the brake or brake continuously. This is what will smoke your brakes.
If you find second is too slow try third. This depends on your transmission and rear end.
I have driven in the mountains of the west all my life and have never had my brakes overheat no matter what I was driving. I have also taken the trip to Alaska. And that road is like one big roller coaster. But much of the ups and downs are fairly short.
Try the above. I dont think it's the brakes on your trailer that are the problem and changing them isnt going to make you a better mountain driver.
Good Luck and enjoy the trip.
If your car brakes were smoking you were definitely going to fast. The brakes on the Subaru outback are good and disc on all four wheels if I remember correctly.
If you have an automatic transmission downshift to second gear as you crest the summit, start down the hill. Now you can let it rev up and gain some speed up to lets say 50mph, now touch the brakes lightly several times with a short interval in between (don't pump them)this should slow you down to about 40mph. Continue letting your car and trailer gain speed up to a safe and comfortable level again lets say 50, and keep repeating the process. (this of course would differ based on the road and grade)
Doing this your brakes get a chance to cool down and will stop you with no problem.
DO NOT ride the brake or brake continuously. This is what will smoke your brakes.
If you find second is too slow try third. This depends on your transmission and rear end.
I have driven in the mountains of the west all my life and have never had my brakes overheat no matter what I was driving. I have also taken the trip to Alaska. And that road is like one big roller coaster. But much of the ups and downs are fairly short.
Try the above. I dont think it's the brakes on your trailer that are the problem and changing them isnt going to make you a better mountain driver.
Good Luck and enjoy the trip.
