cape horn 24

We bought new in 2004 not sure how old the trailer was but supposly new, before summer was over in 04 removed all the drum brakes on all 4 tires it did have the flush systemon it and it was used

BA

hardyboy

All in all... the brakes on your trailer require regular attention to make sure their liveliness is maintained.



You should inspect your brakes before/after each ride... simply checking for overheating, smoking/burning smell, discoloration. For instance, when you stop to fill up...don't burn yourself... but by simply touching the inside of the wheel can be a tell-tale sign of any issues (if it is hot to the touch, your brakes need attention). Notice how your brakes react... do you feel them sticking, making noises, etc.



95% of ALL trailer issues, including brake issues, tend to be issues created by the trailer Owner... not the trailer builder. You have to maintain your trailer. Just like you service your vehicle... your trailer needs regular attention too. Those of you who rinse down your trailer are doing better than some trailer owners (and believe us... we've seen the worst when it comes to improper maintenance). But to be in the elite group... you need to break down your wheels at a minimum of twice each year. First, and most importantly, this will help you better understand how the system works (for those of you who are not as mechanically inclined). After taking off the wheel... take off the two bolts/pins holding your brakes up to the rotor; believe it or not... these bolts are the most important component to maintain in regards to the health of the overall system. Take a wire brush and knock off any corrosion on the bolts and out of the holes which they go back into. Once all corrosion has been eliminated... grease these bad boys... and reinstall. While you have the system broken down, you can check your brake pads for wear.



Ideally, stainless steel brakes are the way to go, but again... it all comes down to cost and what you want to pay. Pay more up front for a better system, or pay less up front and deal with potential issues as they come.



Flush systems/trailer spas can do some bit of good... but all in all... if you simply take some time to give your trailer some good ole TLC... you should be able to fend of a majority of problems faced by those individuals who don't.

230 Cobia

I have had my boat trailer since 2004 with drum brakes use the rinsing hook-up after every use this winter putting on new brake assemble $36.00 each side using same hubs after 6 years cant complain leaf springs were in worst condition than brake assemble $22.00 each. You can try to take care of it the best you can but salt water is rough. Titian has 2 year corrosion waranty guess i will see

johnsonbeachbum

Why is it that disc brakes on automobiles have been used for what, 30, 40 years now?

Driven day in and day out covered in salt for months at a time and hardly ever get rinsed off due to wheels in the way.

Yet they do the job they are designed to do for years and years and generally outlast the life of several pairs of brake pads without any maintenance.



But for boats it is a pathetic history of junk after a couple of years use?

hardyboy

Dunking brakes versus exposing them to salt in the atmosphere (or spray from the roadways) are two different scenarios. Further, there are too many car manufacturers to name... but they all utilize different combinations of brake systems, brake pads, brake lines, and brake fluid (some of which are stainless steel applications which we have explained are the ideal way to go to the livelihood of brakes). I promise if you dunked the back end of your vehicle, brakes and all, into the local waterways... let's say one a month for four years... you would have the SAME pathetic drama. And with FDOT requiring brakes on all wheels (subject to debate per previous posts)... it is a darned if you do... darned if you don't sick cycle. But all in all... we are comparing apples to oranges regarding the brakes on cars and the brakes on boat trailers.

Hook

Take care of the springs also. I have been using LPS3 for years on metal springs with no problem at all.There are some other products like it out there also. The main thing is to pay attention to the leaf springs, wheel bearings , lights on a <U>regu</U><U>lar basics</U> or you will be one of the ones we see on the side of the road. Otherwise :reallycrying