Braked axles.

[abc]

Does anyone know of a better braking system available for marine trailers.

Is it me, or are the units presently supplied barely fit for purpose with respect to corrosion resistance ?

[Nasher]

Oh, here we go

Sorry abc.

Agreed the common setup is next to useless once it's been in the water a few times. I've replaced all I can on my trailer with Stainless steel components.

The merits of disc brakes have been discussed lots of times on here, and a search will provide considerable reading material.
Fitting them isn't an issue, making them legal with the 'auto-reverse' requirement is more difficult.

Nasher

[Sonar]

Originally Posted by abc

Does anyone know of a better braking system available for marine trailers.

Is it me, or are the units presently supplied barely fit for purpose with respect to corrosion resistance ?

disc brake's.. Problem being again is the salt water

Or you can with a few plumbing fittings and a hose pipe and adapter plug
fit a brake flushing system to the brake drums by entering the backing plate.
then just connect a hose and flush the brakes the same time as you flush the engine.

[Razorbill RIBs]

I have spent some of today stripping mine and replacing the brakes shoes and bearings....

Unfortunately, I have found with all my boat trailers that there isn't any real substitute for stripping, cleaning, protecting, regreasing etc on a regular basis. My trailer is in /out of the water an awful lot....Often several times a day. I generally strip mine down as part of my monthly maintenance routine (probably overkill for you) and use a lot of 'aquasteel' in a spray gun on the hubs and swing arms etc.

The sealed alko bearings seem to manage 6 months on this trailer (as Nasher says do a search...lots on here about these) and the main issue I have with the brake shoes is the glue which bonds the linings on giving up and delaminating rather than wearing out! I'm sure brake shoes used to be riveted...would make more sense on a boat trailer!!

Dan

[Sonar]

I'm sure brake shoes used to be riveted.

They used to be .
you can still drill countersink and rivet them back on with care.
being careful nut to crush the lining when riveting.
Then give the linings a clean with a quick scratch with med sandpaper.

Used to do this for a Portsmouth company called Partco..

[r mcdonald]

Originally Posted by abc

Does anyone know of a better braking system available for marine trailers.

Is it me, or are the units presently supplied barely fit for purpose with respect to corrosion resistance ?

ABC
Have a look at this link
http://www.titanbrakes.com.au/brake_kits_cat.php
regards
rpm

[Sonar]

Originally Posted by r mcdonald

ABC
Have a look at this link
http://www.titanbrakes.com.au/brake_kits_cat.php
regards
rpm

Disc brakes that is what i was thinking about but the steel ones would not last but I guess these would.

[9D280]

I get the impression that the use / abuse factor will vary widely.

I've never had a problem with mine - they get flushed when the engine gets flushed, and then dried out by the trip home. I know people with boats in dry storage where the trailer does about 1/2 a mile in 6 months and the brakes are sh@gged by the time he takes it on holiday, even with flushing.

Problem with stainless bits is you'd need to be careful to prevent galvanic corrosion starting...........

[GordyP]

I am in the process of sorting out my trailer. The boat is launched from it on average once a week into salt water, no surpise then that the current brakes are a rusty mess despite the shoes being removed. I had toyed with the idea of having a launching trailer sorted out for the boat when its at the marina, i have finally decided to have two sets of axles. The current set will remain on for the boat being towed all of 20 m to be launched, when we are going to tow I'll swap them for the road axles which will seldom be getting wet. Its only 4 u-bolts for each axle.

The current brake assemblies are completely gubbed anyway so its not as extravagant a solution as it sounds.

[jyasaki]

Don't know if they're available on your side of the pond, but the more popular disc brakes in the US are these:
http://www.kodiaktrailer.com/index.p...d=13&Itemid=30

Take a look at the different options of coatings and materials.

Another manufacturer that is somewhat popular is Tie Down, but I've heard a lot of people having corrosion and warping issues with them (despite the stainless makeup.)

I also don't know how they meet up with your regs on installation, so I can't say if they're suitable in the UK or not.


jky

[r mcdonald]

Originally Posted by Sonar

Disc brakes that is what i was thinking about but the steel ones would not last but I guess these would.

Sonar
I have the stainless discs on my trailer and haven't had any rust problems and are very happy with them.You are right the steel discs rust quickly and are useless.
My stainless discs are the kodiak disc, they are sold by Titian brakes in OZ.
regards
rpm

[Tim M]

Originally Posted by Sonar

Used to do this for a Portsmouth company called Partco..

Just round the corner from me. Use them a lot!