wheel brake issues, please advise.

[Tomfoolery]

The only issue I have now is the approx $200.00 in shipping that e-trailer needs to get it to me.

Really? The page with the brakes says free shipping for orders over $150. I don't think I paid any shipping when I bought that kit from them.

[Gazmn]

Kev, I know you're just getting your feet wet... & provided you didn't pull the trigger yet; You may want to re-reconsider the tandem disc set. It's a lot of work - your first time... Daunting, but not impossible. You'll only want to do this once Search youtube for trailer maintenance and disc brake upgrades.

I went stainless with separate discs and hubs x2 The next best to top of the line all stainless. Oh, you'll also need: a new actuator for disc brakes with the rev lockout solenoid and a 5 pin vs 4 pin trailer connector. - That has to do with the reverse lockout.

The price was painful, but I've spent that much fixing my old drums trailer in Florida & NY in one year

All I do is salt water. I just did the Florida thing again & I did not regret the tandem modification one bit
I felt MUCH safer. Had no problems with bearings or braking...

I used Sturdy Built Trailer Parts out of Florida. Had to pay shipping, but look for a deal even else where...



Oh and if you do travel to a state like Florida trailering, their law requires brakes on all wheels. I don't know if they'd fix it otherwise.

"Git 'er Dun " bro...
Lastly, consider also providing more boating info in your profile. e.g. place, motor, tow vehicle etc

[Gazmn]

Oops. Didn't realize you currently have a single axle trailer. Disregard the tandem info - until further orders - or modifications.
You'll just need one set of disc brakes. & you may still need the new actuator & 5 pin.

Florida run: -Goin Home

[K9Kampers]

Gaz-

Are you taking part of the dock with you, or is that a trailer mod? Speaking of mods, how'd the spray shield work?

[Tomfoolery]

I was going to hire someone to add an axle and brakes to the trailer. however, after calling some 10 places, to find only 1 that would work on a trailer - they came back with a quote of $4800.00 that didn't include new tires, that I would need to supply for them.

I missed this part. You have one axle now, and you want to replace the brakes.

Most folks are just fine with the single OEM axle arrangment. I have two axles because the PO added one. For what you were quoted, you could probably buy a brand new trailer. Maybe not tandem axle, but maybe so. Lots of posts in the past on trailer cost. You might want to look into it, just for grins.

But if your trailer is in good shape, new brakes is a nice bit of maintenance. Not hard if you have a few basic tools, including an angle grinder (a cutting torch would be peachy here). Or you can transfer the new parts from the coupler to the coupler that's welded to the tongue. I elected to spend the extra effort to grind off the welds and drill holes to mount the new coupler. I just couldn't see putting those shiny new parts into an old coupler body.

Do check the leaf springs while you're into it. I've found that mine (on the original axle) are a bit tired, and separating. New springs is in the plan for this summer, once the boat is in the water. It's better to address that now than when one of them snaps on the highway.

[Gazmn]

Yea K9,

That's not a boat trailer - but my wagon that I load my boat on

I don't think I made a new mod page for it but I:
Changed out to disc brakes, redid the bunks, painted the galvanized trailer and added 2x6 boat guides bolted on spare tire guides with a 10' 1x6 as the horizontal guide...

Works great but makes the boat look like a chariot reject from Ben Hur

Regarding the windshield, I'm still working on it. Have a great plan with pics to follow in a week or two.

[kevinnem]

Okay so I ordered that system form E-trailer, add in a grease gun, grease, and cotter pins, and a new 7 blade connector.

interestingly it was over 30% cheap form Missouri (sp?) then ti was form my local (300km away) place. Yep I live in a city of 1 million people and have to order trailer brakes form another country (shakes head). I still have "road" tires on it, rather then trailer tires, that is an upgrade to happen next year - and then maybe the second axle.

I am thinking I will buy a second hand trailer and cannibalize parts off that, cost of new parts is really high here.

Going to have issues getting the drum off, but once she is at my house I have more tools at my disposal (ie bigger hammers).

After that I have to run through the engine, and the interior, and lastly rigging, we will see how she goes

Kevin.

[RobertB]

Gazmn,

Oh and if you do travel to a state like Florida trailering, their law requires brakes on all wheels. I don't know if they'd fix it otherwise

Does this apply if your trailer is registerred in another state - and legal in that state? Maryland only requires brakes on a single axle for less than 10,000 lbs.

[Tomfoolery]

I've always heard that trailers have to conform to the rules of whatever state you're driving in, though I can't back that up. Perhaps someone else can, as that's an interesting question.

[DaveB]

Florida does have a law that brakes are required on both axels. There is a gross amount that they are not required (think it's 3500 lbs but not sure)
I have a 3 Year old tandem aluminum trailer with front axel with surge stainless disk brakes. After 2-1/2 years I had to replace axels as the plate that holds the 4 bolt brake mount rusted to have no strength. Reason is tho the galvinized axel was in perfect shape they didn't galvinized the welded plate and only spray painted it.
I have the Tie Down brakes, you need a elect. selinoid for backing in reverse so brakes don't grab.
I replaced bolts and used liquid elect. tape to coat them and Stainless Steel bolts were I could use them.
I only Sail in Salt waters here in Florida.
Salt is major problems and best if you can find a fresh water lake to dip the boat in after a Salt water cruise.
I am currently Trailering with no brakes as I need to saw off the bolts connecting brakes to axel.
I am old fart and will get around to it and have no problems stopping now (Think ahead)
Dave

I've always heard that trailers have to conform to the rules of whatever state you're driving in, though I can't back that up. Perhaps someone else can, as that's an interesting question.

[RobertB]

A handy summary of trailer brake laws by state can be found at: http://www.boatwheels.biz/brakelaws.pdf

If for some reason I felt the need to spend more money on the trailer I just upgraded and add brakes to the 2nd axle I just added, any ideas on the ability of the master cylinder to support 4 calipers? Or would I need to change it out for another unit?

[DaveB]

Even if Florida requires Brakes over 3000 lbs on both axels this is by far over grossed. I have never seen a boat trailer that grosses under 5000 lbs to have brakes on both axels.
Most don't have them at all and most ones that do arn't hooked up unless new.
Georga also has a max. 8 ft trailer width along with 6 other States. (my Trailer is 8.5 ft. width)
Fl. Law isn't inforced in my neck of the Bay but can be if a accident happens.
Dave

A handy summary of trailer brake laws by state can be found at: http://www.boatwheels.biz/brakelaws.pdf

If for some reason I felt the need to spend more money on the trailer I just upgraded and add brakes to the 2nd axle I just added, any ideas on the ability of the master cylinder to support 4 calipers? Or would I need to change it out for another unit?

[Gazmn]

Does this apply if your trailer is registerred in another state - and legal in that state? Maryland only requires brakes on a single axle for less than 10,000 lbs.

I don't know I'm registered in NY. I was told this by a FL trailer place where I was getting my brakes checked out. And I already had drums on all 4 wheels. You just dont want to get caught during an accident where your braking - or not -was the cause. I'd go more by DaveB's word as he's a local.

I'm just a visitin' Yankee not trying to give any reason to Mr. John Law

Happy Trail-oring

[DaveB]

Gazmn,
Drum brakes don't work in Salt water( they rust), best is disk surge brakes with a elect. selinoid for backing up. I have stainless steel disk but even those have to be flushed out with fresh water every time you retrive your boat.
Even Brakes I have need constant maintance for anti corrosion.
Anyone comeing down to Florida should put a protective coating lub on all parts of the trailer.
Dave

Does this apply if your trailer is registerred in another state - and legal in that state? Maryland only requires brakes on a single axle for less than 10,000 lbs.

I don't know I'm registered in NY. I was told this by a FL trailer place where I was getting my brakes checked out. And I already had drums on all 4 wheels. You just dont want to get caught during an accident where your braking - or not -was the cause. I'd go more by DaveB's word as he's a local.

I'm just a visitin' Yankee not trying to give any reason to Mr. John Law

Happy Trail-oring

[Catigale]

This thread made me think this through a bit...I can't imagine we haven't covered this earlier, but...

You have to meet the requirements of the state in which you REGISTER your trailer, which then gives you the right to trailer in any state...I think....you don't have to upgrade your trailer to drive it in a new state.....

On edit..lthis assumes that reciprocity for trailers works the same as cars...a "fact" which I have NOT found documented btw....