After market brakes for 5er

[flyingjack]

Anybody have any thoughts regarding better brakes (run cooler) for 12K lb 5er? May start traveling more across the Rockies and looking for alternatives to 20-25mph down hill. BTW, no longer have Duramax engine brake; kept the Silverado gasser.
Jack

[Notanlines]

Jack, we heartily recommend a disc brake conversion. It will amaze you the first time the RV pulls your TV to a stop rather than visa versa.

[flyingjack]

Thanks Jim, disc brakes sound like a really good idea. Do you know of a kit or is the conversion custom? Having pulled heavy trailers with electric brakes for 30yrs; need no convincing for me.
Thanks
Jack

[Notanlines]

Jack, visit this site and you will find reference to the Kodiak system, one that is mentioned plenty online. I have only done the conversion to a large boat trailer (12K) and it probably took us about 6 hours total. This is probably longer.
http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23702&highlight=disk+brakes+conversion

[flyingjack]

Went online direct to Dexter axles: will need an electric/hydraulic actuator- $700 plus the conversion kit- approx. $1,800 and then either pay the labor or DIY. Probably take a day for a good shop or good DIYr.

[MTK46]

Disc brakes were one of the main pluses why I decided to buy my DRV. Every other towed RV I've owned were electric drum brakes. They will slow you down but truck is what stopped me. Disc brakes are the only way to go.

[Suite Sweets]

I 100% agree with MTK46

[JCZ]

Anybody have any thoughts regarding better brakes (run cooler) for 12K lb 5er? May start traveling more across the Rockies and looking for alternatives to 20-25mph down hill. BTW, no longer have Duramax engine brake; kept the Silverado gasser.
Jack

hydraulic over disc brakes is your answer. Performance Trailer Braking in Norman, Oklahoma has installers all over the nation or you can get the kit and do it yourself.

[Tenbrooks]

Prior to purchasing our 2019 DRV MS, we had a 2013 Cedar Creek 5th wheel that weighed about 15K when loaded and my tow vehicle was a 2012 F-350 6.7L diesel SWR. I made a lot of upgrades to that Cedar Creek, mostly MORryde components. Of all the upgrades I made, I firmly believe changing to the Kodiak disk brakes was the best improvement I made followed by the MORryde SRE4000 suspension. After having experienced the disk brakes on that Cedar Creek, I swore I would never again own a 5er without disk brakes. Our new DRV came equipped with Kodiak disk brakes and independent suspension. If you ever pull a 5er with disk brakes, you'll never go back to drum brakes - guaranteed. The industry should require disk brakes on all 5ers weighing over 12K lb.

[cgrif]

I second the nod for Performance Trailer Braking. They came to my home in southern AZ, installed everything in 6 hours, and it is the only way to go and tow.

[jetjockey99]

Stopyourtrailer.com can fix you up with a good kit. I recommend the Titan Brake right actuator, seems to have the fastest response time. Mine has been flawless for over 3 years.