Disc vs. drum for trailer brakes

[TigeDuner]

I am looking at a 2005 24V and the trailer with the boat is a galvanized Dorsey trailer with drum brakes on only one axle. My current 2000 2300V has an Extreme trailer with disc brakes on both axles. Do drum brakes on one axle provide enough braking power for this 4500 lb. boat? I have been very pleased with the extreme trailer and the disc brakes and was surprised to see drum brakes on this late a model boat that is 1000 lbs. heavier than my current Tige. Any comments...

[chpthril]

Sounds like the wrong trailer to me. I would check the GTWR (gross trailer weight rating).

Drum brakes can provide the same stopping force as disc brakes. It's all about surface area.

[mtnsmith]

That is an option for that size trailer, but I bet you would be happier with disc brakes on atleast the axle that has the drums on it. If you put them on both axles you would like it even more. I'm sure you will notice the boat behind your truck more with the single drums. There was a pretty good write-up a little bit ago about someone that converted from drums to discs.

[chpthril]

From www.howstuffworks.com

Back in the day, when most cars had drum brakes, power brakes were not really necessary -- drum brakes naturally provide some of their own power assist. Since most cars today have disc brakes, at least on the front wheels, they need power brakes. Without this device, a lot of drivers would have very tired legs

Due to leverage, drum brakes will provide the same pressure against the drum with a smaller piston as a disc caliper will provide with a larger piston against the rotor.
Stopping is a result of friction between the shoes/pads and drum/rotor being transfered to the road through the tire.
This friction is basically force x sq in of friction surface. A disc brake sys will not stop better than drums simply because they are discs. The advantage of disc brakes is: less maintenance and easier to service. This is why we don't see drums on cars anymore.
I would hate to see someone waste time and money to do a swap thinking that that disc brakes would stop better than a properly adjusted/maintained drum system.
And yes, a trailer with duel axle brakes will stop better than a single axle brake setup.

[spharis]

Here is some more from Champion trailers website....

In addition to this, the surface area of the pads on a drum brake system is normally larger than that of a comparable disc brake system. With a comparable coefficient of friction for the drum & disc brake components, the greater surface area of the drum system will give greater frictional resistance due to the larger surface area of the pads.

With all of these factors taken into consideration it is advisable to install drum brakes on trailers if the GVW is less than 3000#.

For trailers over 3000# GVW the braking performance can be relatively comparable for both drum & disc brakes.

Most hydraulic surge brake couplers will produce up to about 700PSI [ maximum ] in PANIC stop conditions. During average braking conditions most surge brake couplers normally produce from 300PSI to 650PSI.

It is also important to match the volumetric requirements of the total brake system load to the volume output capacities of the master cylinder of the brake coupler.

However......
Trailer Boating Magazine did test in the Ocotober issue I thinkof last year, and in EVERY case, the disc brakes out performed drum brakes.

[TigeDuner]

This is all good information-sounds like the disc brakes should be on both axles for a boat that weighs in at 4,500 lbs. Exteme seems to do it the right way. Thanks for the research and time.

[chpthril]

Is that Galv. trailer for an inboard (prop gaurd/guideposts) or is it for an I/O? I still think it's sitting on the wrong trailer? Check the stickers on the trailer, if it's not rated for enough GVWR, swapping drums to disc will not do it. The GVWR takes into account: frame strength (can it support the load without buckling) braking (already covered) and tire load rating.

trailer= 1500#
boat dry= 4500#
fuel= 300#
accessories/gear= 500#
total= 6800# (apx) GVWR

[TigeDuner]

Unfortunately the trailer is in Florida. I did see the trailer when I went to look at the boat and it is designed for an inboard as it had the prop guard. It was a very basic trailer with no spare tire mount, but did appear to be long enough for 24V. The more I consider this Tige, the more I am thinking twice about it. Looks like I may try and find one a little closer to home.
Thanks for the comments.

[mtnsmith]

Where in Florida is this boat? I am in the Tampa Bay area and would be glad to go look at it for you and get the specs off the trailer if it is close. I have a Dorsey Trailer for my 22v and love how it is built. Nothing against the other trailers at all but I think the Dorsey is top notch. I am thinking of having them make me a galvanized trailer in place of my standard trailer.

[chpthril]

Originally posted by mtnsmith
Where in Florida is this boat? I am in the Tampa Bay area and would be glad to go look at it for you and get the specs off the trailer if it is close. I have a Dorsey Trailer for my 22v and love how it is built. Nothing against the other trailers at all but I think the Dorsey is top notch. I am thinking of having them make me a galvanized trailer in place of my standard trailer.

My 06Ve sits on a Dorsey w/ single drums, just for sh!ts and giggles, what is the GVWR and max load on yours and what brake set-up do you have?

[mtnsmith]

Chpthril,
It states GVWR is 6000lbs and I have single drums on it. If I get a galvanized or aluminum built sometime over the next year or so it will have dual disc brakes for easier maintenance since I use my boat in the saltwater mostly.

[FIC]

There are a few other advantages to disc brakes , one is the water comes off cause there is no place for it to pocket in , and better heat transfer, I do agree that a properly sized drum brake system however is every bit as good as disc for stopping and wouldnt just covert for the sake of it.

[TigeDuner]

Originally posted by mtnsmith
Where in Florida is this boat? I am in the Tampa Bay area and would be glad to go look at it for you and get the specs off the trailer if it is close. I have a Dorsey Trailer for my 22v and love how it is built. Nothing against the other trailers at all but I think the Dorsey is top notch. I am thinking of having them make me a galvanized trailer in place of my standard trailer.

The trailer is in Jacksonville and I appreciate the offer, but it looks like I may have found another 05 much closer to home. It is good to know that Dorsey rates with the best as this 05 has a Dorsey trailer also, but with disc brakes.
Thanks again mtnsmith.

[chpthril]

For the saltwater dunkings alone, it would be well worth the cost to convert/upgrade

[whitlock87]

Can a 24V sit on a 22VE trailer?