Electric Drum vs Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Thanks for all of the info - after the comments about KZ even offering disc brakes, I did a little further research, and it appears that KZ uses what they call "auto-adjusting brakes," which are electric right? I saw the info about the KZ using disc brakes from a third-party website - my mistake for trusting what I read on the internet that didn't come directly from the manufacturer - lesson learned.

I don't think anyone would say that drum brakes are better than disc brakes. However, on trailers, electrically operated drum brakes have been around forever. They seem to be sufficient and are certainly better known and have more controller choices.

Disc brakes themselves are better but I'm not sure you can say the same for disc brake "systems" on trailers. As more manufacturers install them this will change but I'm not sure I would want to be one of the "early" adopters.

I have had both and if the choice was mine its disc, they work better, easier to service, less fade due to heat.

:) Hi, disc brakes on trailers have had many problems. Sometimes they just don't work at all and sometimes they lock up and stay locked. One concern especially on GM tow vehicles is that if the charge line fuse isn't installed the actuator won't work right. ( the actuator needs a constant power source and a brake signal to work ) Some brake controllers won't work with the disc brake system. Many disc brake actuators were defective and problematic. Some Dodge brake controllers had a huge delay. Some GM brake controllers were not compatible with trailer disc brakes.

Disc brakes work great when they work. Drum brakes on trailers are far more dependable. Until trailer disc brakes are made to work as well as the disc brakes on my cars/trucks, I'll stick with my trailer's drum brakes.

I would rather have lessor brakes all of the time versus no brakes some of the time.

You need to know how those disc brakes are actuated and if that is compatible with your controller.
Simple disc brakes are often used on relatively light trailers (such as boat trailers). These brakes are strictly surge actuated hydraulic brakes. Their weakness is the inherent delay between the time the tow vehicle starts slowing and the trailer presses forward against the coupler to pressurize the hydraulic system. No brake controller needed.
More common on campers is the electric over hydraulic system. Many brake controllers are not compatible with this system. When you step on the brake an electrical signal activates a motor mounted on the camper which pumps up the hydraulic system. Again, there is an unavoidable delay in the system, though some better systems go a long way to minimize that. Personally this system has always struck me as rather a Rube Goldberg type device and rather inelegant.
Finally, the electric drums. By far the most common system. It uses electromagnets to actuate the brake shoes inside the brake drums. Brake drums do not dissipate heat particularly well, are subject to greater wear than disc, and because the shoes are out of sight are often neglected to the point they no longer function. Properly adjusted and maintained they are sufficient for the vast majority of braking needs.

I highly doubt a 25' KZ Spree has factory discs.... They don't even offer it on the gold fifth wheel line as an option.....

It is pretty well established that disc brake are superior to drum. Whether you need them depends on how you tow, where you tow and what you tow.

I had a K-Z and it is a good unit for the money. We traded it in when we went full timing. I have always had the drum breaks. Here is why.
1. Some of the disk break systems will not work on factory installed breaking systems in a pick up.
2.When I purchased my Carriage, I called the company, (they were still in business) and was told that the disk are not necessary.

Now, what I would check no mater what system you do get, is the wiring 1X per year and be sure you check lights,breaks before you use the trailer each time.

I see nothing about disk brakes on KZ's website. I did see one 2016 Connect advertised to have disk brakes, don't know if that is a typo or not. I would much prefer the disks over drums, but it will be a long time before I would consider another KZ.

Could be a used trailer that somebody has upgraded to disc brakes.