Disc brakes

We've only had disc-equipped tractors for two years but so far there haven't been ANY adverse operational differences with the drum-equipped trailers they pull. If we didn't tell the drivers what they have they wouldn't know the difference other than they know it stops better. Hauling mail we run in all conditions. Disc tractor/drum trailer has not made any difference in how they react on less-than-ideal surface conditions.

 

After careful thought inertia and mass goes forward in braking. Its good the tractor is taking in slack from the trailer. As long the trailer contributes SOME braking all is well. Remember all braking is a form of drag imposed on the wheels.

It's not so good when you find the angles off enough to trigger a jackknife when brakes are improperly applied where they would ought not to have been applied in curves etc in certain conditons, that trailer will come around anyway.

Retrofitting would be expensive, best just to sell off the old trailer, sink the funds into a disc trailer new.

Regarding the two rotor idea within a dual wheel... I like it. however I think there might be issues with weight.

 

I remember the arguments WAY back in the day where guys were worried about having to have front brakes. LOL!

 

Not going to argue with you on discs due to your experience and my lack there of. But front brakes are nice. I do have experience in this. So are spring brakes on trailers.

 

Hey x1, I can understand your questions, just like years ago, nobody trusted air ride, or electronic throttles, or anything new ( except tubeless tires) was always a source of discussion. I'm not sure drum brake units can be retrofitted with disc's, it would seem a big job, and the fact is, drum brakes have been working for 100 years, why change? ( and there's probably warehouses full of them) I had a Saturn that was the 1st car I had with 4 wheel disc brakes, and I felt the difference immediately. I guess I didn't follow why you would still defend drum brakes, or even question if disc's are better. Like cars, soon it will be the standard of the industry, like air ride and electronic throttles.

 

As someone who has used disks for a long time the best advice i can give is to read the service manual.
You can find them online.
Or go to youtube,there is a clip by a bendix tech.

 

So has anyone actually know the cost to go from drum to disc?

 

On my trailer, if I remember correctly, about 12k , but that was for 7 axles worth.

 

Did you find it to be worthwhile to upgrade your trailer? This is the question I'm dying to know.

 

Yes

There were 2 options that were not specifically required but I felt were necessary and don't regret the money spent

Disc brakes and tire inflation- i only own one trailer at a time and would never order a new without both going forward.