When will FMCSA force disc brakes upon the industry?

Because the industry is not about safety, it's about making money. Disc brakes have already proved themselves on trucks in other countries, the technology works.

Trucking industry will fight anything that add weight to a truck. Why are trucks not quieter and insulated for heat and cold? Because it would add weight to the truck. Insulating trucks would go I long why in basic driver comfort.

Trucking is big business, making money at the expense of everything else.

Mark

 

As long as the requirements for brake performance are bases on a single stop from speeds less than about 55 mph, on level ground, drum brakes will have the advantage.
But as soon as the government changes the requirement to something along the lines of ability to use the brakes to control speed going downhill then the disc brakes will become the way to go. If the government starts talking about 'energy absorption rates' and 'total energy absorption capacity' then you know they are pushing for disc brakes.
Of course, since using the brakes for speed management when going downhill is opposite of what drivers are taught, this would probably cause an uproar.
Drum brakes could be much better than the ones in use today, but the materials would be different, and of course the cost much higher. If it comes down to large weight increases from going to discs, then we might see new, high cost, material used in the drums. Jet engine alloys? Can we imagine a titanium alloy brake drum? One third the weight, better heat absorption, ten times the cost and oh yeah carbon ceramic pads required ( or carbon-carbon from the aerospace brakes). Well, at least they would last much longer. Maybe even fans to cool the brakes. LOL.

 

Agreed.

There are reasons for why they are using them discs over Europe.

One is that they don't have interstate highway system, so they travel thru the small towns full of people, like we used to back in the 40's and 50's here. So they drive slow and are always prepared for emergency braking

The other reason is that EU is socalled social-democracy, which is modern form of communism where there is no place for single truck owners nor small trucking companies. So there is leftist government addressing EVERYTHING from the size of tomato to the stopping distance. They all are idiots in a way, since paying heavy taxes only to be told what to do. And still doing it all wrong

 

With insight like yours, are you sure you are from California?

 

Seems like you have never been in Europe? We probably have more 4 lane motorways than you do, from west to east, south to north. And I have said this before: Biggest trucking company in USA have something like 20000 trucks, in Europe biggest is about 6500 trucks. Which country have no place for small companies?

We can still have drums if we want to, but no-one wants because discs are so much better. Only reason US trucks don't have them is because you are so re tarded conservatives.

 

I'm not sure. But I was born to be wild, which I realized this morning (thanks to Steppenwolf or whoever that was screaming to my ears on fourteen mile drive run. Also some old guy detailing his Porsche911 in his shady driveway made me figure out how come it became the best EU carmaker). Greets

 

Lenny, I'm totally fed up with you, your stupid, baseless comments, lack of basic geographical knowledge, typical Nordic rudness, and false pretense that you are unimpressed with American Way, which you are, but too proud to ask what is it actually.

Now, come on over to California and be my guest. My wife and son are going to Europe for a vacation when I'll be working (probably). I can promise you one thing. After you leave, you will be leftist no more. Since you still are who you are (bored, godless little commie) and I don't expect you to have guts to do it - shut up

 

The most likely technical reason that Europeans favor disc brakes over drums is the much higher percentage of mountainous type roads. Disc would be much better in that case.
But the most likely reason is not technical, it is the 'everyone knows' discs are better mentality by 'most' people. This arises because discs are 'better' for most cars, very small pickups, race cars, and most aircraft. But big trucks are different, a completely different set of compromises (all designs are ruled by a set of compromises specific to each case). Small change in the compromises can result in huge design changes.

 

My point is if they are better in every way they would be more common. PERIOD! They may stop quicker but if they don't last as long people will neglect maintenance due to cost and your worse off than you were with drums.

And regardless of what Lenny likes to preach there are more Europeans over here then there are Americans there, so no matter how he tries to claim superiority he's full of it. Most of us aren't jumping at the chance to move over there and drive a cabover with a 12" wide bed and pay $5.00 + per gallon for fuel just to have air disk brakes.

I have most of the parts to convert 2 axles of a truck or trailer to air disk. I got them free with about 20 sets of pads. All Bendix and all sitting on a pallet where it's going to sit until I see enough guys using them and having the same luck I get with the good drums. (by good drums I mean high performance drums/shoes, not the cheap junk)

 

if the material is going to change at all which i highly doubt for drums or discs even. It would be a switch to carbon-carbon disc brakes. carbon brakes dont really wear out for the most part (in street car application they can last as long as the car) but are ridiculously expensive. But there is no need for carbon brakes in the first place once you move from drums to a standard disc.