Off season trailer work advice

[NCH2oSki]

I'm going to spend a little time on trailer maintenance this off season. I'm replacing my bunk carpet and doing some brake work. I was going to buy new backing plates, bearings and seals, and started wondering is it worthwhile to upgrade to disks? Staying with the current brake system and all new parts except for should be less than $150.00 A disc conversion kit, plus a new actuator looks like it will run $500-600 easy. I'm just towing a 206, with a single axle trailer, my tow vehicle is a 2015 Sierra 1500 crew 5.3L with the trailer towing package. I'm not really sure how long I'm going to keep this boat, its been a great one, but I have an itch for a 200, so I have to keep that in mind. The brakes haven't really worked since I purchased it, so anything is going to be an upgrade.

Is it worth it to upgrade to the disks?

[nukemustang]

I just re-did 2 disc brake axels (4 discs, calipers, bearings-inner and outer, seals and brake lines) for $500. I think it was a small piece of mind considering the cost of the boat sitting on top of it and I will tow it pretty good distances on vacations this summer. It stops much better, its easier to push around the driveway/garage, less stress on the truck's drivetrain as well. I am surprised the original equipment lasted as long as it has and consider it just part of the "cost" of boating.

If you do upgrade have you considered swapping to a torsion axle? If I had a little more forethought, I would have swapped the leaf springs to torsion. If you did that you could literally build a new axle, jack the trailer up, unbolt the current one, slide the new one under, drill holes and bolt the new one and be done pretty much.

How is the condition of the rest of the trailer?

In all seriousness.... If you are thinking of trading it in I would replace what you have, make it work as designed and keep it safe to tow.

[DLafont]

If you're planning on swapping boats, don't spend too much upgrading your current setup. Make sturdy and safe, then have fun with the new one.

[NCH2oSki]

If you do upgrade have you considered swapping to a torsion axle? If I had a little more forethought, I would have swapped the leaf springs to torsion. If you did that you could literally build a new axle, jack the trailer up, unbolt the current one, slide the new one under, drill holes and bolt the new one and be done pretty much.

How is the condition of the rest of the trailer?

In all seriousness.... If you are thinking of trading it in I would replace what you have, make it work as designed and keep it safe to tow.[/QUOTE]

I had issues with my last trailer that had torsion axles, so I really don't mind the leaf springs.

The rest of the trailer is in good shape, it tows very well and I replaced the tires a couple years ago and updated the lighting to LED's last year. Its gone 10 years without any major service to the brakes, bearings and seals.

[nukemustang]

Eh based upon that, I woud just slap some new drums and pads, flush the fluid and move on. If it was a 8,000lb G23 or G25... different story with having the trailer help ya stop, but relatively light boat, with a full size truck, no worries.

I am split on the torsion vs. leafs. I had dual axle torsion on my MC trailer, it seemed to "ride" better overall and I towed it across the country twice. The leafs on my tandem Phoenix has a harmonic that sometimes expansion joints or segmented pavment causes weird gyrations and a more "bouncy" ride.

[barefootinjimmy]

I went to a local trailer shop. When I said I was interested in hydraulic brakes for my Ramlin trailer. They suggested for the price difference go with electric brakes. What are the pros/cons of both?

[ski4evr]

I towed a 4000 lb + 21 foot fish and ski for 10 years on a single axle drum trailer. Never a problem towing on multi state runs. It did like to eat tires though. Rig stopped better with boat behind than without. If the wheel cylinders aren't leaking, replacing entire backing plate is a waste of money imo. Check lining thickness on shoes, and if good, they are just out of adjustment. Unlike road vehicle drum brakes, you have to adjust the drums regularly. Check fluid level in master cylinder, check free movement of tongue, and check lining thickness. Should be able to do a brake job under a hundred bucks if everything is working properly. Check owner manual for adjustment procedures.