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Old 07-18-2016, 01:22 PM   #1
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Disc brake conversion

Almost done with the conversion, get to test it out tomorrow.
Titan pump with adaptor for Chevy brake controller.


Kodiak 6k lb disc brake.

Decided to be safe and just remove 1 tire at a time. I ran the steel brake lines along the bottom of the I-beams and used the existing screw locations to secure the fittings and line clamps. The crossover line is attached to the propane crossover pipe. So, most of the lines are fairly well protected.

Under pressure 2 of 20 connections leaked but they are OK now. Two things I discovered. 1) Lippert is not consistent on orientation of the brake flange, on three of the brakes, the upper caliper bolt could not be installed or tightened w/o notching a corner of the U-bolt bracket. 2) Some where in the last 8k miles and 12 months I lost a nut on one of the shackle bolts, fortunately the bolt stayed tight and the companion bolt kept the shackle tight.
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Old 07-18-2016, 04:51 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dayle1 View Post
Almost done with the conversion, get to test it out tomorrow.
Titan pump with adaptor for Chevy brake controller.


2) Some where in the last 8k miles and 12 months I lost a nut on one of the shackle bolts, fortunately the bolt stayed tight and the companion bolt kept the shackle tight.
FYI, the wet bolts are splined on the head end so the bolt wouldn't have fallen out.
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Old 07-18-2016, 08:05 PM   #3
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Looking good Dayle....
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Old 07-18-2016, 08:28 PM   #4
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That's a conversion I want to do in the future.
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Old 07-19-2016, 09:38 AM   #5
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Larry, I'm curious as to why you under took this project. I know they say way better brakes.
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Old 07-19-2016, 10:52 AM   #6
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Larry, I'm curious as to why you under took this project. I know they say way better brakes.
Lloyd,
That is a multi part answer. One, I have looked at new fivers and found absolutely nothing that would meet our needs better. So for a lot less money I might as well make improvements to the Cruiser (hence the wired surge protector). And two, since my reaction times are getting worse with age , I might as well have the best braking system to compensate. Finally, we are stuck at home this summer so it is a good time to have the trailer out of commission for a few weeks. But we are headed to the mountains next month for a break from the heat.
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Old 07-19-2016, 11:32 AM   #7
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That is pretty much what I thought---To much idle time on your hands, and money burning a hole in your pocket.

Wish I was out there with George right now.
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Old 07-19-2016, 05:51 PM   #8
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That is pretty much what I thought---To much idle time on your hands, and money burning a hole in your pocket.

Wish I was out there with George right now.
Well, Lloyd you correctly figured out why I was making changes, time & money. But still the reason for disc brakes is this.
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Old 07-19-2016, 06:01 PM   #9
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I forgot to add one trick for the conversion. Bleeding the brakes. The August 2016 issue of Trailer Life has an article on the same conversion. It talks about bleeding the brakes being a 2 person job, using an iPhone to communicate and running the pump for 'x' seconds. I used 20 ft of wire, a switch and alligator clips to remotely control the pump at each caliper. Didn't waste a lot of brake fluid.
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Old 07-21-2016, 07:57 AM   #10
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I was just looking on etrailer. That is a spendy upgrade you did.
I would be interested in knowing how it performs for you and how satisfied you are.
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Old 07-21-2016, 08:39 AM   #11
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I installed Titan discs on our trailer and it is night and day difference in stopping. Best upgrade I have done
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Old 07-21-2016, 09:03 AM   #12
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I was just looking on etrailer. That is a spendy upgrade you did.
I would be interested in knowing how it performs for you and how satisfied you are.
Total cost was right at $1500. But, buying new electric brakes with drums, bearings and seals would have been right at $500. I've found that getting trailer drums turned at a machine shop is no cheaper than just buying new drums. Anyway I figure the cost difference for the upgrade was around $1000.

So far under light and moderate braking, I can tell that the brakes are definitely stronger, yet stops are smooth. I did have to do one panic stop from about 30 mph to avoid a deer and it was uneventful. I expected some 'lag' as the pump builds pressure, but the Titan pump may be the best pump and I haven't been able to detect any 'lag'.

Finally, whenever I have replaced shoes on an electric system, initial braking has been erratic as the new brakes conform to the drum followed by more adjusting of the 'star' wheel. That is one less problem with discs.
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Old 08-28-2016, 11:12 AM   #13
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Our first long trip with the new brakes went fine. On the outbound trip there were several times I had to make quick stops and it was clear there was plenty of stopping power left. The real test was on the return yesterday. We had to leave several days earlier than planned, and after overnight rain we started down from Cloudcroft, NM at 5:30 am, dark with some light fog. Grade is only around 2-3% with a 45 mph speed limit. Just a few minutes headed down and suddenly there were 3 mule deer on the opposite shoulder. I hit the brakes as two of the deer crossed the road. Everything stopped quick and straight on a wet downhill road. At one point one deer was no more than 10-15 ft in front of the truck. I'm convinced the outcome would not have been good with the stock brakes.
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Old 08-28-2016, 11:33 AM   #14
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Smile

Glad the brakes work well. I have memories of that road down from Cloudcroft. Exhaust brake worked really well for me.
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