Trailer Disc Brake Conversion

[RCP]

I have a 10K trailer with electric drum brakes, that have not been any good for a few years. I am considering converting to hydraulic disc brakes, either surge or electric/hydraulic. Has anyone else made this conversion? Where did you getyour parts? Results?

Thanks
Rich
 

[rustyplow]

Can't help you on disc, but stay away from the surge brakes. Got it on my trailer. Better than nothing but the next trailer will have Eletric over hyd. Also here in michigan surge brakes are illegal over so many pounds. Don't remember what that number is.
 

[scotc]

They are pretty much illegal anywhere because they can't be activated separately from the truck brakes.
 

[LBSMJS]

Put electric over hyd on my 10k axles would not use anything else, they are great. mine are drum,didn't know how disc brskes would hold up on gravel roads.
 

[cd1]

Really doubt I would waste the money for only a 10K trailer. If you have your brakes fixed up right, drum brakes should be fine on that trailer.
 

[mkirsch]

All the larger U-haul trailers have surge brakes.
 

[1972-1655]

I had an Interstate tandem dual gooseneck with electric over hydraulic disc. 26,000 trailer. I now have a 16,000 PJ with electric drum. If I had it to do over, I would have ordered the electric/hyd. disc on the PJ. Difference between day and night. Upgrade on a used 10,000 trailer? Probably not. Cost to rebuild elec. vs. total replace is a lot different.
 

[scotc]

Used to know a guy who claimed his electric/hydraulic brakes would lock up and skid all 8 tires with a fully weighted Magnum on the deck.
 

[jddriver]

Scot once again you are the purveyor of false information
 

[d beatty]

I have pulled several U-Haul trailers with surge brakes and they are a pain in the neck. Every time you go to backup you have to get out and lock a pin to backup.
 

[RCP]

Thanks for the feedback, the cost to retrofit is about $2K, too much to spend on a used trailer. I have not been able to find any new or used tag trailers with elec/hyd brakes advertised.
I think I am going to rebuild with new wiring, and new 7K backing plates.

Thanks
Rich
 

[S2710]

Here is a place to order brake parts from.

Bob
brakes