Disc Brake conversion?

I did my conversion using the kit from http://stopyourtrailer.com/

The installation was not too hard although these things are heavy and you do need to be physically capable of handling them.

The only thing I would say about the disc brakes is that there is a noticeable lag between applying the brakes and the brakes activating which can be a little disconcerting. I am using the OEM Ford brake controller and I don't know if using another might work better. I have a Tekonsha which I am considering swapping to but am not sure about whether the OEM needs to be just disconnected or deprogrammed from the truck computer. I haven't been able to find a straight answer to this anywhere.

I pieced together my kit with Kodiak discs and Carlisle actuator. My 15k 5er with 4- 12x2 drums was white knuckle scary at stopping. The discs are WAY better. There's a guy who does the rv shows that puts together the complete kit with Kodiak and Titan and all the lines and fittings. I can't find the guys card right now but I think he's the stopyourtrailer.com guy already mentioned. I've talked to him a few times at Quartzite. I've read that flex lines cause more delay so I built my own lines with all steel tubing except for the flexes to each caliper. I have all the double flaring tools and a bender. I also have a Jordan cable activated controller and I have it set up so the trailer led the truck when I had the drum brakes. I kept it adjusted the same way for the discs and there's no lag with mine. I also like the oil covers that come with the Kodiak kit but it took some trial and error to get them sealed good so they didn't make a mess on the wheels. Craig

As soon as we get home I'm ordering Kodiak disk brakes for Nev-R-Lube bearings from etrailer and a Dexter actuator from Trailer Parts Super Store.

Denny

KIWIRVER Ford integrated brake controller in my 08 Ford would not properly run my hydraulic/electric disks in my trailer so I installed the Prodigy. You can not just disconnect the Ford IBC as the onboard computer will sense a problem and give you warning alarms. Just cut the wires from the Ford IBC and attach your aftermarket controller and it will work fine. The Ford computer will think no trailer is attached so it will not alarm and your aftermarket controller will brake your trailer.

Take a look at the tuson disc brake with ABS. They are one of the best in the industry.
MM49

kiwiRVer wrote:
I did my conversion using the kit from http://stopyourtrailer.com/

The installation was not too hard although these things are heavy and you do need to be physically capable of handling them.

The only thing I would say about the disc brakes is that there is a noticeable lag between applying the brakes and the brakes activating which can be a little disconcerting. I am using the OEM Ford brake controller and I don't know if using another might work better. I have a Tekonsha which I am considering swapping to but am not sure about whether the OEM needs to be just disconnected or deprogrammed from the truck computer. I haven't been able to find a straight answer to this anywhere.

Huston there is a problem!

There should be NO delay with Disk brakes and a good controller.

With my P-3 and factory installed Dexter disks I have absolutely no delay.

Having driven several thousand miles with electrics and then switching to disks, I'll never go back.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

kiwiRVer wrote:
........The only thing I would say about the disc brakes is that there is a noticeable lag between applying the brakes and the brakes activating which can be a little disconcerting...........

Huston there is a problem!

There should be NO delay with Disk brakes and a good controller.

Make sure that the fluid reservoir is full and that there is absolutely no air in the lines. I let my reservoir get low and it induced air. Delay slowly got worse to the point that I thought the actuator was going bad. Added fluid and bleed the entire system and brakes right away--no delay. The reservoir only holds a few ounces of fluid so easy to induce air when bleeding or if pads are worn and fluid displacing the space in the wheel cylinders.


Back to OP---
Here's a LINK to another place for supplies. I ordered 2 KOADIK calipers last fall and they were the least expensive with delivery in 2 days. Randu

I had disc brakes installed on my rig and towed with an 2005 and 2008 Ford with the integrated brake controller. Carlisle makes and actuator that fools the Ford controller into thinking there's electric brakes on the trailer. It worked much better than the Prodigy. The controller model was Carlisle HBA-CAM. I don't know if it's still available.

I use the Built in controller that chev put in and if there is a delay, The shear stopping power of the disc brakes more than makes up for it. I think it is a non-issue.about $1000 bucks delivered from etrailer. A full 8 hour day could get them installed. I took my time and it took 3 days puttering around. I would NOT buy a new trailer without disc brakes, and I've told salesmen so.