Disc Brake Upgrade (Review)

[SanMarMor]

I had read a lot on here about people doing a disc brake upgrade from drums. I kept struggling with the cost of it, but when I needed the brakes done anyway, we decided to go the extra and get discs. I got them from Ron at Performance Trailer Braking, and installed by his installer Dennis Hageman. I had them installed today at our house.

WOW, what a difference. Even reading about people saying what a difference I wasn't ready for how much braking power I would have. They were really bad before, so the difference is huge. I wish now I had them done earlier. If this is an upgrade you are considering, you should do it. And I recommend Performance Trailer Braking. This isn't a paid advertisement, this is just my OMG moment after going out and trying them.

Mark

[ford_truck_guy]

bfast54 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

alexleblanc wrote:
I would consider the upgrade, but I fear having my unit sit all winter that the discs would need to be turned about every year due to massive corrosion during the winter. Probably an amazing upgrade for folks who winter in the south or full time though.

Unless you go out and throw some salt on them or run them on salted roads frequently, corrosion shouldn't be a problem. There will be some surface rust but that will disappear with the first usage. Simply sitting for the winter should cause no issues.

Our car sits more often than it gets driven, and has cast iron rotors. Corrosion is not an issue.

Exactly--- so when you park your car for a while do you tear the disc brakes off and put drum brakes on it then huh?????


I just did the install myself I got the parts from Ron and I have not pulled it yet --but I'm definitely looking for the difference in the breaking --stopping power !!!!

Ron was fantastic-- I did the install myself as said --any questions he was right there with the answer!!!!!!


As far as having mor-ryde do the install --disc brakes installed is about$ 3000 and the independent suspension install by mor-ryde is about $5000

I have taken a couple trucks down to the frame and rebuilt them --so I was pretty confident on the install .

The disc brakes for Ron to install that..... it's $1,000 for installation

Definetly way to go as far as I am concerned.
And he does have installers who travel around the country so if you buy a trailer that doesn't have the disc brakes Ron can set you up.

Minor fact check - - The MORryde IS is not $5,000.00 . . For the 8k it is $3700.00

I got my kit from Ron and could not hook up with his installers so I had a local Amish shed trailer weld shop do my install... Ron sent a rep from Titan Brake to the shop for the day to oversee the install. IS AND Discs are a great pair !

[2naEagle]

silverback31b2 wrote:
Hi- it was not a kit, Joy Ryder makes a kit that is kind of pricey. I used Monroe gas shocks, welded mounts to the axles and a cross member welded to the middle tandem spring mount helped to stiffen the frame and provided the upper location to mount the shocks. I have photos, sketches and part numbers if you would like to PM me I'll send. Thanks.

Thanks I have been looking at the Joy Ryder Kit. I don't think I'm going to try and weld anything.

[silverback31b2]

Hi- it was not a kit, Joy Ryder makes a kit that is kind of pricey. I used Monroe gas shocks, welded mounts to the axles and a cross member welded to the middle tandem spring mount helped to stiffen the frame and provided the upper location to mount the shocks. I have photos, sketches and part numbers if you would like to PM me I'll send. Thanks.

[2naEagle]

silverback31b2 wrote:
I did the disc brake upgrade two years ago, they are awesome and would not own another fiver without them. Got a kit on a pallet from Bill at http://stopyourtrailer.com he is great and top notch customer service.

Just finished adding gas shocks and would recommend them also, installed at the correct angle unlike some factory installs. We just got back from a 2,700 mile round trip to Fort Wilderness Campgound at Disney and the ride was much improved.

Can you tell us more about the shocks you installed. Maybe a picture.
Was it a kit? What kind?

[bfast54]

fj12ryder wrote:

alexleblanc wrote:
I would consider the upgrade, but I fear having my unit sit all winter that the discs would need to be turned about every year due to massive corrosion during the winter. Probably an amazing upgrade for folks who winter in the south or full time though.

Unless you go out and throw some salt on them or run them on salted roads frequently, corrosion shouldn't be a problem. There will be some surface rust but that will disappear with the first usage. Simply sitting for the winter should cause no issues.

Our car sits more often than it gets driven, and has cast iron rotors. Corrosion is not an issue.

Exactly--- so when you park your car for a while do you tear the disc brakes off and put drum brakes on it then huh?????


I just did the install myself I got the parts from Ron and I have not pulled it yet --but I'm definitely looking for the difference in the breaking --stopping power !!!!

Ron was fantastic-- I did the install myself as said --any questions he was right there with the answer!!!!!!


As far as having mor-ryde do the install --disc brakes installed is about$ 3000 and the independent suspension install by mor-ryde is about $5000

I have taken a couple trucks down to the frame and rebuilt them --so I was pretty confident on the install .

The disc brakes for Ron to install that..... it's $1,000 for installation

Definetly way to go as far as I am concerned.
And he does have installers who travel around the country so if you buy a trailer that doesn't have the disc brakes Ron can set you up.

[fj12ryder]

alexleblanc wrote:
I would consider the upgrade, but I fear having my unit sit all winter that the discs would need to be turned about every year due to massive corrosion during the winter. Probably an amazing upgrade for folks who winter in the south or full time though.

Unless you go out and throw some salt on them or run them on salted roads frequently, corrosion shouldn't be a problem. There will be some surface rust but that will disappear with the first usage. Simply sitting for the winter should cause no issues.

Our car sits more often than it gets driven, and has cast iron rotors. Corrosion is not an issue.

[silverback31b2]

I did the disc brake upgrade two years ago, they are awesome and would not own another fiver without them. Got a kit on a pallet from Bill at http://stopyourtrailer.com he is great and top notch customer service.

Just finished adding gas shocks and would recommend them also, installed at the correct angle unlike some factory installs. We just got back from a 2,700 mile round trip to Fort Wilderness Campgound at Disney and the ride was much improved.

[alexleblanc]

I would consider the upgrade, but I fear having my unit sit all winter that the discs would need to be turned about every year due to massive corrosion during the winter. Probably an amazing upgrade for folks who winter in the south or full time though.

[Gray_Fox]

I had the same disc brakes put on my 5th/w 3 weeks ago only went for a short drive an I can tell they are much better. Were going on a longer trip in June so we will see. Got them from Ron and Denise did the instalation a real good job.

[Lantley]

Bob Vaughn wrote:
I will never have another RV that does not have disc brakes. A couple of deals for a new 5th wheel were squashed because the dealer would not install disc brakes....

I don't think I would force disc brakes into the deal. I would by a model that came with disc brakes standard there are a few higher end models. Or I would just budget money to have them installed.
I would not want a dealer to install them for the first time on my rig. Most dealers are not familiar with disc brake retrofits.

[Bob_Vaughn]

I will never have another RV that does not have disc brakes. A couple of deals for a new 5th wheel were squashed because the dealer would not install disc brakes....

[Cummins12V98]

2naEagle wrote:
Glad to hear that. Performance Trailer Braking is doing mine next week.

Now I'm trying to talk myself into the MORride IS.

You would be much farther ahead just having the MORryde IS installed with the disks at the same time.

[time2roll]

Great to hear. I cobbled my own parts together and did a self install.
While I did periodically get full braking power from my drums it was inconsistent.
Disks are right on full braking power every time.
Well worth it IMO even for an old trailer.

[2naEagle]

Glad to hear that. Performance Trailer Braking is doing mine next week.

Now I'm trying to talk myself into the MORride IS.