disc vs drum: weight difference??

Yes, aluminum axles for the tractor. Actually, aluminum housings. They are considerably lighter than traditional steel housing axles and hold up just as well. Just usually a little higher in cost to initially buy.

 

Pablo, you should come to our country get to know more trucks in american way not european.

 

Ha! Check it out under Cascadia Lightweight options. (to be fair, its called aluminum axle carriers) http://www.freightlinertrucks.com/Trucks/Models/Cascadia/Specs/

 

Check out Meritor's 14x axles (the standard drive axles they offer now). They are offered in traditional and aluminum configurations.

 

I'd love to switch my truck to all disc brakes, and I'm an old(er) driver.

 

It's easy to convert it. Take the hub off and put disk brakes in.

 

I can see some good advantages of discs like always being in ajustment and less maintenance and wouldnt mind having a truck with them someday. Was talking to a Utility trailer dealer and they said it was a $3000 upgrade on a new trailer. Not sure why it would be so much more on new build? I would imagine it will come down some if they become more popular.

 

unfortunately, not as aeasy as that. there are a bunch variances in the disc brakes for suspension. some trucks yes, buy a anchor plate, caliper/carrier, brake chamber and then get the appropriate hub for the disc and youre set. Some trucks the suspension is in the way of the chamber or the rotor offset isnt avaliable.

 

Been pricing new trailers for weeks. A few months ago I was told by Utility and Great Dane around $2,500 for discs over drums. They're worth it. A member here with a fleet sent me pics of some pads they replaced at around 400k miles that still had life in them. If I can find it in my email I'll post it. It eliminates 8 grease fittings the only thing that would need grease is landing gears.

 

Something like this? View attachment 74049

Between 450-550K. Didn't replace them, trailer was getting new tires so we pulled one to compare to new. Should go one more set of tires easily.