Disc Brake conversion?

[jayco302fk]

A friend of mine asked me if they make a kit that you can change from drum to disc brakes. I told him that I think I remember reading here on the forum that some of you have. If so how much better are they? And what activates them? Electric or hydraulic or what. Thanks for any info.

[C_Schomer]

Probably a good idea to bleed the brakes occasionally to get new fluid in and wear particles and moisture out. I do that to my vehicles, in fact I just did them, so I can do the RV. Those pumps get hot. I bet a lot of city driving would be hard on them. Craig

[Roads_Less_Trav]

greynomad wrote:
After reading the disc brake article in Trailer Life> Does anyone know of a business in the Houston, TX area that will do the conversion......?

Greynomad: We had ours done by Zanetti Trailer in Weatherford TX (Fort Worth area) and they did a good job. They've done hundreds of these conversions over the years.

We've got notes and you can see pics of their guys working our rig at this link:

Trailer Disc Brake Conversion

[Randu]

Bob Vaughn wrote:

oldtrojan66 wrote:
Let me add from an experience I had this past week. I had in my head I wanted to do this conversion, also. I happened to pass a Jayco dealer/service shop, so I stopped in and asked the asst mgr his thoughts. He said to stay as far away from disc brakes as possible. Weak link in the system is the electric over hydrolic brake actuator. They are as prone as anything to failure, and if/when it fails, you will be stuck beside the road with no help and no parts anywhere close to get you going. Scared me enough to put the idea clear out of my head. Just my two cents worth. Good Luck!

So does this mean you would be along side the road with locked rotors or no brakes to stop the camper???

You would be without brakes. Same as if your brake controller went out. Not a worry in my opinion since I have had no actuator issues.
I've had Dexter disc on a 2004 Newmar 5th and now Kodiak on the DRV. both were factory installed. Dexter is a pain to work on and costly. Kodiak is easy to work on and pads are 80's Buick so easy to get at any auto parts. The Carlisle actuator is the way to go. Randu

[Bob_Vaughn]

oldtrojan66 wrote:
Let me add from an experience I had this past week. I had in my head I wanted to do this conversion, also. I happened to pass a Jayco dealer/service shop, so I stopped in and asked the asst mgr his thoughts. He said to stay as far away from disc brakes as possible. Weak link in the system is the electric over hydrolic brake actuator. They are as prone as anything to failure, and if/when it fails, you will be stuck beside the road with no help and no parts anywhere close to get you going. Scared me enough to put the idea clear out of my head. Just my two cents worth. Good Luck!

So does this mean you would be along side the road with locked rotors or no brakes to stop the camper???

[oldtrojan66]

Let me add from an experience I had this past week. I had in my head I wanted to do this conversion, also. I happened to pass a Jayco dealer/service shop, so I stopped in and asked the asst mgr his thoughts. He said to stay as far away from disc brakes as possible. Weak link in the system is the electric over hydrolic brake actuator. They are as prone as anything to failure, and if/when it fails, you will be stuck beside the road with no help and no parts anywhere close to get you going. Scared me enough to put the idea clear out of my head. Just my two cents worth. Good Luck!

[greynomad]

After reading the disc brake article in Trailer Life> Does anyone know of a business in the Houston, TX area that will do the conversion......?

[jab764]

Good luck with Blue Dog. I bought my 5ver from them and went there to get a quote and they never got back to me. The told me they could do the job but never have done one. Doesn't make one very confident for the work they would perform.

[45Ricochet]

jab764 wrote:
45Ricochet I feel your frustration. I've checked eastern Washington and north Idaho for a shop to do the conversion. All the shops I've checked have never done it. The one dealer who told me they could do it never got back with me with a quote and they told me they had never done one. I'm doing a cross country trip this summer and have an appointment at Mor/ryde to have it done and upgrade to 8k axles from the 7k. Their price for brakes and 2 axles, $3000 plus tax. Figured I would have better luck with a outfit that has done numerouse brake conversions.

Yeah Mor ryde is a nice company to work with BUT one heck of a drive for a brake job :W They even let you stay over night there while your RV is being done :W That was a couple of years ago anyway. The biggest problem I have now is figuring out which Kodiak # is the right one. 7k ALKO axles with easy-lube spindles. Etrailer told me if my bearing numbers match my current to this rotor I would be good. Well :S I might have to make that drive, $3k ain't to bad. Blue dog is suppose to get back to me tomorrow, sounded promising from the tech. He was only looking up Titan which don't make em for my axle configuration. I think Titan uses pre pressed innards so I suppose they may not be good for the easy lube spindles.

[okan-star]

rjsurfer wrote:

C Schomer wrote:
WOW, great price! Is that everything, like brgs, seals (if required) and complete lines? What size rotors and caliper pistons? Is it the new Titan discs/calipers? Just making mental notes in case I ever do it again. I'd like to know if the rotors come with oil covers. I run oil and it took me awhile to figure out how to keep them tight and dry so they didn't ooze oil on the wheels.
A little story about internet parts... I recently scored a 50 year old Quincy 310 air compressor and it needed the entire upper end rebuilt. I called a friend in Denver who I bought Quincy parts from since 1985. His prices were going to make it cost prohibitive to repair it and I said I might try the internet for old unused stock. He said... GD internet, we can't make any money with the internet around! It still cost $300 in parts but well worth it to have a Quincy! Craig

That's for everything bearings, grease seals, lines, 12 inch rotors, calipers and of course the brake rite pump.

Ron W.

That's the difference , 12 " for 5k or 6k axles are cheaper disc package than 7k axles and 13" disc packages

[jab764]

45Ricochet I feel your frustration. I've checked eastern Washington and north Idaho for a shop to do the conversion. All the shops I've checked have never done it. The one dealer who told me they could do it never got back with me with a quote and they told me they had never done one. I'm doing a cross country trip this summer and have an appointment at Mor/ryde to have it done and upgrade to 8k axles from the 7k. Their price for brakes and 2 axles, $3000 plus tax. Figured I would have better luck with a outfit that has done numerouse brake conversions.

[rjsurfer]

C Schomer wrote:
WOW, great price! Is that everything, like brgs, seals (if required) and complete lines? What size rotors and caliper pistons? Is it the new Titan discs/calipers? Just making mental notes in case I ever do it again. I'd like to know if the rotors come with oil covers. I run oil and it took me awhile to figure out how to keep them tight and dry so they didn't ooze oil on the wheels.
A little story about internet parts... I recently scored a 50 year old Quincy 310 air compressor and it needed the entire upper end rebuilt. I called a friend in Denver who I bought Quincy parts from since 1985. His prices were going to make it cost prohibitive to repair it and I said I might try the internet for old unused stock. He said... GD internet, we can't make any money with the internet around! It still cost $300 in parts but well worth it to have a Quincy! Craig

That's for everything bearings, grease seals, lines, 12 inch rotors, calipers and of course the brake rite pump.

Ron W.

[C_Schomer]

WOW, great price! Is that everything, like brgs, seals (if required) and complete lines? What size rotors and caliper pistons? Is it the new Titan discs/calipers? Just making mental notes in case I ever do it again. I'd like to know if the rotors come with oil covers. I run oil and it took me awhile to figure out how to keep them tight and dry so they didn't ooze oil on the wheels.
A little story about internet parts... I recently scored a 50 year old Quincy 310 air compressor and it needed the entire upper end rebuilt. I called a friend in Denver who I bought Quincy parts from since 1985. His prices were going to make it cost prohibitive to repair it and I said I might try the internet for old unused stock. He said... GD internet, we can't make any money with the internet around! It still cost $300 in parts but well worth it to have a Quincy! Craig

[rjsurfer]

I just purchased a complete Titan disc brake kit for $1286, that's for everything.

Will start the install maybe this weekend and take my time,next camping trip won't be till late summer. We have a planned cross country trip, something we won't do again until we have decent brakes.

Give Bill a call at Stop Your Trailer dot com. Knows his stuff.

Ron W.

[45Ricochet]

Been watching this thread and I'm finally ready for new brakes. Can't do it myself any longer, nor do I have the tools for lifting the fiver correctly. Called around and the first estimate was $4800 :E $3300 was parts so I ask the guy WTH, etrailer everything cost's $1666 with free shipping! He said and I quote " Two words... Internet-volume. I'll keep looking but installers in my area are a rare breed, kind of like big foot :W I've even called the local (kind of) RV dealers and trailer repair shops and they don't have a clue as to a disk conversion.