AnswerID: 2331 Submitted: Saturday, Mar 09, 2002 at 00:00
P.G. (Tas)
replied:
Hi Paul, if you want to fit electric brakes to your trailer you can have any type you want so long as they are drums. The hydraulic discs are actuated by the over run method which works fine on the hard black stuff but can and does create horrors in off road situations.
The problem is running down or across a steep and/or slippery slope with over ride brakes usually end in a jack-knife! because they (the trailer brakes) are waiting for resistence from the tow vehicle to operate them (thus over run). I know you shouldn't drive across slopes but some tracks or roads give you no choice.
I have used elecric brakes (drum) now for over 5 years on my caravan without a hint of trouble, BUT, you must maintain them meticulously. ie anytime water or mud enters the brakes pull the drums off and make sure they are clean inside (it also lets you adjust them correctly and to check the wheel bearings, thus preventing premature failure) as soon as practical. It sounds like a lot of trouble but in reality it becomes a part of life
on the road.
I have towed trailers with disc brakes (boat trailer) and they are not a patch on electric/drum combo. By the way, disc brakes require as much maintenance as drums and are more difficult to work on as the calipers have to be disassembled to be cleaned. I have never experienced brake fade with drum brakes but the trick is make sure the brake controller and brake shoes are correctly adjusted. I use a Tekonsha Voyager (pendulum) controller and not one spot of bother. Hope this helps. Cheers
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