RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Fifth-Wheels: Disc Brakes - Saved me $$$$

RV Blog

  |  

RV Sales

  |  

Campgrounds

  |  

RV Parks

  |  

RV Club

  |  

RV Buyers Guide

  |  

Roadside Assistance

  |  

Extended Service Plan

  |  

RV Travel Assistance

  |  

RV Credit Card

  |  

RV Loans

Open Roads Forum Already a member? Login here.   If not, Register Today!  |  Help

Newest  |  Active  |  Popular  |  RVing FAQ Forum Rules  |  Forum Posting Help and Support  |  Contact  

Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Fifth-Wheels

Open Roads Forum  >  Fifth-Wheels

 > Disc Brakes - Saved me $$$$

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 4  
Prev  |  Next
Sponsored By:
BurbMan

Indianapolis, IN

Senior Member

Joined: 09/20/2001

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member


Posted: 06/03/22 06:08am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Having lived on Long Island for many years and towed a 34' TT all around the area, I can tell you that it's impossible not to...if you leave the required space behind the vehicle in front of you, somebody will jump into it. More than likely will proceed to hit the brakes as well. Spend any amount of time on the highways in the NE corridor and it's baffling the stuff that people do.

I've only had 1 incident like that on I-95 just north of Stamford, CT and also was fortunate to stop. Thankfully it wasn't raining that day.

TT was 8500 lbs and I always kept the Prodigy dialed up so that the TT brakes led the truck brakes. For me, changing them out to self-adjusting drum brakes was a big win. It's a sad commentary on the RV industry when you're excited about upgrading the braking technology on your 2008 RV to 1960 standards...

You're absolutely right, though...big, heavy 5ers should come from the factory with disc brakes.

* This post was edited 06/03/22 07:43am by an administrator/moderator *

JTrac

Oklahoma

Senior Member

Joined: 10/27/2003

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member


Posted: 06/03/22 06:11am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I had gotten used to the disc brakes on our previous trailer and was disappointed when the only option on the Pinnacle we got a couple of years ago were drum. I thought I could deal with it until I made my first panic stop. I called Performance Trailer Braking and had them come to my house to do the conversion. What a difference it made. My drive is much more relaxed knowing I have much better braking power.


JimT
2020 Jayco Pinnacle 32RLTS, 2020 Ford F350, Platinum, 6.7 diesel, 4X4, CCLB, SRW, 12,400 GVWR

ford truck guy

Pennsylvania

Senior Member

Joined: 03/22/2008

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 06/03/22 06:40am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

BurbMan wrote:

bucky wrote:

I agree that they are better. Maybe you were following too close to begin with?


Having lived on Long Island for many years and towed a 34' TT all around the area, I can tell you that it's impossible not to...if you leave the required space behind the vehicle in front of you, somebody will jump into it. More than likely will proceed to hit the brakes as well. Spend any amount of time on the highways in the NE corridor and it's baffling the stuff that people do.

I've only had 1 incident like that on I-95 just north of Stamford, CT and also was fortunate to stop. Thankfully it wasn't raining that day.

TT was 8500 lbs and I always kept the Prodigy dialed up so that the TT brakes led the truck brakes. For me, changing them out to self-adjusting drum brakes was a big win. It's a sad commentary on the RV industry when you're excited about upgrading the braking technology on your 2008 RV to 1960 standards...

You're absolutely right, though...big, heavy 5ers should come from the factory with disc brakes.



You are correct about the NE corridor, although the PA drivers are a smidgen better than NJ who are a smidgen better than the NY drivers...

Was I too close, I guess that would be subjective, in my eyes, no.. I always keep MY safety BUBBLE around me, but like Burbman stated, it is difficult in this part of the country.. Pulling a 17k fifth wheel primarily around the NE and you get you aware of ALL possible scenarios... Not to mention my wife didn't tell me I was too close, so I guess I was ok [emoticon]

JTrac - Jim, I am surprised the the Pinnacle line does not offer the disc option?? I had Performance Trailer Braking do the install back on my first Redwood, back when Ron was the owner of the company, they were and still are a good company.


Me-Her-the kids
2020 Ford F350 SD 6.7
2020 Redwood 3991RD Garnet


Learjet

Louisiana

Senior Member

Joined: 02/21/2006

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 06/03/22 08:44pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I agree disc brakes only...I converted my old trailer and ordered the new trailer with disc brakes...they are great!

[image]


2017 Ram Big Horn, DRW Long Box, 4x4, Cummins, Aisin, 3.73
2022 Jayco Pinnacle 32RLTS, Onan 5500, Disc Brakes, 17.5" tires
B&W Ram Companion


JTrac

Oklahoma

Senior Member

Joined: 10/27/2003

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member


Posted: 06/03/22 10:06pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Joe, not an option on my 20 model but were starting with the 21's. PTB did an excellent job. We've had them for a year and a half now and definitely worth the cost.

Cummins12V98

on the road

Senior Member

Joined: 06/03/2012

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 06/04/22 09:59am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Learjet wrote:

I agree disc brakes only...I converted my old trailer and ordered the new trailer with disc brakes...they are great!

[image]


Looks like a nice setup. I bet the brakes work great with the twin piston calipers.


2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Learjet

Louisiana

Senior Member

Joined: 02/21/2006

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 06/04/22 12:18pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

they are actually 4 piston calipers, the line connects at the inner top, crosses over and then there is another crossover line at the bottom for the inner calipers with another two pistons.

They are much smoother and stronger than my single piston calipers on the old trailer. Went from 6.5 on the brakes to 4.0

Just looking at my own picture and thinking about it...This set up eliminates the pins the calipers usually ride on and the stick problem they can have.

here is another picture...

[image]

* This post was edited 06/04/22 01:18pm by an administrator/moderator *

ford truck guy

Pennsylvania

Senior Member

Joined: 03/22/2008

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 06/04/22 01:56pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Learjet ,

Is that factory install? or aftermarket? Those quad piston calibers look great !

Learjet

Louisiana

Senior Member

Joined: 02/21/2006

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 06/04/22 03:14pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

yes, factory Jayco installed upgrade option. They are Dexter brakes.

One pin and the pads come out....hope they last...they are @ $500 for a set of pads for 4 wheels at Etrailer.

* This post was edited 06/05/22 06:50am by an administrator/moderator *

Cummins12V98

on the road

Senior Member

Joined: 06/03/2012

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 06/04/22 05:40pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

The problem I have with my Kodiak 8K and Dexter 3.5K is they are both single piston calipers and they wear the outer pad WAYYY faster than the inner. I keep the slide pins properly lubed.

They LOOK impressive. Only negative I see is the hub cap is not threaded to allow for oil bath.

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 4  
Prev  |  Next

Open Roads Forum  >  Fifth-Wheels

 > Disc Brakes - Saved me $$$$
Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Fifth-Wheels


New posts No new posts
Closed, new posts Closed, no new posts
Moved, new posts Moved, no new posts

Adjust text size:




© 2023 CWI, Inc. © 2023 Good Sam Enterprises, LLC. All Rights Reserved.