Need trailer help. (Performance Boat Trailer)

[Mckillop]

Hey guys,
I am hoping someone may be able to help me with any information on a Performance Boat Trailer out of FL. Unfortunately they went out of business a few years back so I can't give them a call. Anyways, here is my issue. The trailer is an aluminum I-beam double axle bunk trailer. Good looking trailer and seems to be pretty stout, but there are only disc brakes on one axle! To add to the problem, there is no flange to bolt up a brake set up on the second axle. Because the trailer came out of Florida, they have no laws about having both axles with brakes. Living up here in Seattle, where we're towing over mountain passes multiple times a summer, it is crucial that I find out some info about this trailer to track down a new axle with the flange to bolt up some disc brakes. It is impossible to weld on a flange because there it has to be perfectly squared on the axle. If anyone has any ideas or info to pass along it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[CaribouLou]

You don't need them. I only have brakes on one axle. But if you really want them, there's a place down in Kent that will install them.

[Mckillop]

Thanks Kelly. The problem is going to be going down the passes and Vantage hill and into Crescent Bar because those brakes are going to get red hot with only one axle. I have talked to a few local places and they all said its crucial with a boat as big as mine to have disc brakes all the way around.
What is that place calle din Kent? I spoke with Mann's Hitch in Bellevue and he made it sound like it is going to be an issue finding a matching axle?

[CaribouLou]

My trailer always seems fine, and I've towed it across a few states. What are you towing the boat with?

http://www.tlcentral.com/

[Mckillop]

08 Tundra with the 5.7

[Tidbart]

What you don't need is the original manufacturer. They didn't make the axle, they just bolted it on a frame that they probably made.

Go to any local trailer builder and have them look at it. They can determine who made the axles and order the correct one for you, as well as the compatible brake components. Should not be a difficult thing at all.


Bob

[Fishermanjm]

how big is the boat?

[Tidbart]

Oh, BTW, Florida does have laws about brakes on every wheel for that size trailer. Above 3000# GVW if I remember correctly. Most builders just ignore the law and build what will sell for the lowest price.

B

[Tidbart]

how big is the boat?

My guess is a 22, but the size of the boat doesn't matter. WA state says brakes on every wheel with an exception for some trailers under 3000# GVW.

B

[Mckillop]

how big is the boat?

25ZX. Noth that big, but a lot bigger than my 18C when its on the trailer

[Mckillop]

What you don't need is the original manufacturer. They didn't make the axle, they just bolted it on a frame that they probably made.

Go to any local trailer builder and have them look at it. They can determine who made the axles and order the correct one for you, as well as the compatible brake components. Should not be a difficult thing at all.


Bob

Thanks Tidbart, I am going to take it in and have it looked at. One of the guys I talked to made it sound like it was going to be a problem to find a matching axle, but I don't know why it would be. Thanks for the feedback guys.

[Tidbart]

Thanks Tidbart, I am going to take it in and have it looked at. One of the guys I talked to made it sound like it was going to be a problem to find a matching axle, but I don't know why it would be. Thanks for the feedback guys.

I don't think there are that many axle manufacturers to choose from and they come in standardized lengths. A good trailer man should be able to tell who made it rather quickly.

Good luck.

B

[Tidbart]

Torsion or springs? Spring axles should be real easy.

[Rumblefish]

Depending on your surge brake power ( bore size equals brake pressure) you will be taking a step backwards in braking power by adding an axle and brake system.

Not knocking the braking power of your Tundra.. most veh will go into ABS engadgement when towing quite easliy.

Tow ratings are for Flat land towing. no 6% downgrades or up hills.

Your are exceeding those limits with your Tundra during those condtions.

Recomend manual shifting and careful distance following.

[gcarter]

Matt, while theoretically you're correct, I've looked at surge brake assemblies here in Florida, and they were the same model of surge break/tongue assembly (the same model number) on most that I saw....I'm talking about 22'-25' trailers w/one and two sets of breaks.
For the trailer mfgr, it's probably easier to stock just one size.

However, I am surprised it has only one set of caliper mounting brackets.
I just went out and looked at my trailer.....tandem Torsion axles, one set of disc brakes, but two sets of mounting brackets.

[Offset]

There is a Canadian company www.cerka.ca that has a great trailer parts catalogue that may give you some ideas of what you need. They will not ship to the US but as a reference tool it might be worth a look.

I would think that getting an axle with the proper flanges for disc brakes would not be too difficult. Good thing that you are concerned about safety, you cannot take it for granted.

Good luck with your conversion.

[Fishermanjm]

the size of the boat has everythin to do with it,,, in RI its over 3000lbs manditory trailer brakes, not sure about brakes on all wheels (dual axel set up)

[Tidbart]

McK,

One other thing, make sure you use the Tow/Haul mode with the shifter in D. Will definitely help.

B

[Rumblefish]

same model of surge break/tongue assembly (the same model number) on most that I saw....I'm talking about 22'-25' trailers w/one and two sets of breaks.
For the trailer mfgr, it's probably easier to stock just one size.

I just went out and looked at my trailer.....tandem Torsion axles, one set of disc brakes, but two sets of mounting brackets.

Agree with you there.. They want to be compliant visually.. but not really increase any brake performance. Maybe too much pressure could be a bad combo on a surge brake with no true way to regulate it?

There it is.. put the fake set on for compliance .:)

[Tidbart]

the size of the boat has everythin to do with it,,, in RI its over 3000lbs manditory trailer brakes, not sure about brakes on all wheels (dual axel set up)


Maybe I didn't say it correctly. Yes, the boat size has everything to with braking and braking distance. I was referring to the law. The law doesn't care what the load is. In FL and other states, if the GVW if over 3000#s, you must have brakes on all wheels, period. Has nothing to do what is being carried on the trailer. In WA, all trailers must have brakes on all wheel unless the GVW is below#3000 and the load is less than 40% of the GVW.

So, his trailer, by law is supposed to have brakes on all wheels regardless of any other notion such as load weights, stopping distances, ABS, tow vehicle, etc.

The law doesn't care what anyone thinks about the braking performance. If you could prove them wrong through a scientific study, they still would insist on brakes on all the wheel.

Hope this is clearer.

B

[Fishermanjm]

gotcha,,, i dont think i have ever seen a multi axel trailor with breaks on all wheels im gonna have to look for them now, my brother has a huge rv trailer about 35ft 5th wheel dual axel, i will have to check if they sold it with single axel breaks

[Tidbart]

gotcha,,, i dont think i have ever seen a multi axel trailor with breaks on all wheels im gonna have to look for them now, my brother has a huge rv trailer about 35ft 5th wheel dual axel, i will have to check if they sold it with single axel breaks

From what I have seen, most don't have them on all wheels when they are supposed to have them. I guess it goes to enforcement. If the law isn't enforced, why follow it? It saves money for the buyer and helps the seller keep the price down so that he can make the sale.

What I have always thought about was... let's say I have an accident and I want my trailer to be covered. Wouldn't a wise insurance company adjuster look for that? I would. Then the insurer could say that I had an unsafe trailer and deny coverage. I haven't heard of this, but the thought is always there.

B

[Fishermanjm]

Tidbart,,, u are wise indeed,,, ins companys would find the loop hole im sure
i just bought a shorelander trailor for my maritime skiff 20D without breaks because of the price difference, i didnt want them anyway i haul with my ram truck, and i am a law breaker

[Mckillop]

Thanks gentleman, I'll let you know what I find out.

[joseph m. hahnl]

they sell them right out of the box for bolt patterns. you just replace the hubs and they come with the bracket.

http://www.cabelas.com/bearings-hubs-boat-utility-trailer-disk-brake-assembly-2.shtml


http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_013576_999_01?rgn=0,0,698,814&scl=2.142105263157895&fmt=jpeg&id=2P9lKKW4L9Vk6XsRmxZzGm

[Mckillop]

So the hub is what the rotor mounts too? I was under the impression that it had to be bolted to the flange on the axle it self which is where my problem started.



they sell them right out of the box for bolt patterns. you just replace the hubs and they come with the bracket.

http://www.cabelas.com/bearings-hubs-boat-utility-trailer-disk-brake-assembly-2.shtml


http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_013576_999_01?rgn=0,0,698,814&scl=2.142105263157895&fmt=jpeg&id=2P9lKKW4L9Vk6XsRmxZzGm

[Tidbart]

This pdf will help.

The mounting bracket for the caliper bolts to back of the spindle.

To be sure, you will have to get a good look at the end of the axle.

Post a photo for better info.

B

[gcarter]

Most of us don't have a 6K# axle like Bob does, for 3,500 # axles, you'll find they're somewhat simpler.

http://www.kodiaktrailer.com/images/pdf/2011-cat-3500lb.pdf

[joseph m. hahnl]

So the hub is what the rotor mounts too? I was under the impression that it had to be bolted to the flange on the axle it self which is where my problem started.
trailer had the square 4 hole mounting brackets factory installed on the torsion axle, if you do not have them you will need them for these brakes.


1 Jack up the trailer and remove the tires and hubs.



2 Look for a brake mounting flange on the end of the axle tube, just behind the spindle. If a flange is present, order a brake kit without flanges. If there is no flange, a kit with flanges is required; the flanges must be welded on before the brakes can be installed.





Read more: How to Add Brakes to a Trailer | eHow.com (http://www.ehow.com/how_5127755_add-brakes-trailer.html#ixzz1KrsWsR7L) http://www.ehow.com/how_5127755_add-brakes-trailer.html#ixzz1KrsWsR7L

[Donzigo]

If you can afford it, you should go with the torsion bar axles. The spring axles require that yoiu stop the trailer right where it is, if there is a flat.

[CHACHI]

Champion Trailers out of Louisiana. Many parts, anything you need.

Ken

[Fishermanjm]

i like the quote Donzigo