stopping distance, disk vs drum

Doubt you will find such an animal, however, there is a reason EVERY new vehicle has disk brakes.

Jim

If you can lock up your brakes then the difference in distance between drum and disk is going to be minimal. However IMO, not many drum brakes will lock the brakes, especially a large heavy trailer.

Due to their design trailer brakes are not the best unless they are set up perfectly and work exactly as designed, which doesn't appear to be the norm. Poor wiring, weak magnets, worn drums, cheap brake shoes, all of these will contribute to mediocre braking.

As far as disc brakes overall good drum brakes will stop you as quickly as disc brakes...the first time. When drum brakes get hot, which they will do much faster than disc brakes, they fade pretty badly. Same thing when they get wet. Also ABS is going to work much better with disc brakes over drums.

I have had both and I can assure you that discs are MUCH better than drums. Our current trailer with discs is 4,500 lbs heavier than our last trailer with 12" drums and the difference is amazing. Much quicker activation, stronger, and smoother than the drums. I would not want to go back to a trailer with drums.

direct link


not quite what you asked for but interesting ,a comparison between ABS and not on a disk setup
Direct link may also have a drum/disk comparo,I didn't look too long.

blofgren wrote:
I have had both and I can assure you that discs are MUCH better than drums. Our current trailer with discs is 4,500 lbs heavier than our last trailer with 12" drums and the difference is amazing. Much quicker activation, stronger, and smoother than the drums. I would not want to go back to a trailer with drums.

X2, 10 fold!!!
No question disc are better in every area. Anyone who has had both knows without a doubt!
There area a couple of articles with real world test that I reviewed before making the switch on my former Carriage. I ordered the 2014 fiver with Dexter disc from the factory. Stopping is ALWAYS predictable - hot brakes, wet brakes or whatever.

Here is s good link from a guy who actually performed tests:http://www.mrtrailer.com/kodiak_hydraulic_disc_brakes.htm

I am sure general stopping is better. But if you have ever lost your brakes from drums overheating you definitely appreciate disks. My old '65 Coronet had 4WD (four wheel drum) and was good for two or three hard stops only and then you are done. Rolled right through a stop sign at the bottom of a short hill a few times with both feet stomped on the pedal.

pcm1959 wrote:
X2, 10 fold!!!
No question disc are better in every area. Anyone who has had both knows without a doubt!
There area a couple of articles with real world test that I reviewed before making the switch on my former Carriage. I ordered the 2014 fiver with Dexter disc from the factory. Stopping is ALWAYS predictable - hot brakes, wet brakes or whatever.

Here is s good link from a guy who actually performed tests:http://www.mrtrailer.com/kodiak_hydraulic_disc_brakes.htm

That pretty much read like an advertisement for Kodiak brakes. He might not have been too unbiased. :)

Anyone had brakes changed from drum to disc know what it cost on a trailer?

We did the conversion ourselves at a cot of $1600.

We went from drum brakes on our 2004 DRV Mobile Suites 36RE3 to Kodiak disc brakes on our current MS (see signature). After having the disc brakes, I'd never go back to drum brakes. The discs outperform the drums in every aspect of braking - stopping power, fade resistance, etc.

Rusty