Removing Drum Brakes

[INXS]

I don't need them on the trailer and they make noise, question is if I can do it? I was thinking all I need do is remove the shoes?

[BUSHWACKER]

It's no biggie if ya know what your doing, are ya going to go with disk brakes?
Or just discarding them and run no brakes? Not a good idea IMHO! Also depends on what your towing and what with. I would rather fix the brakes. I pulled a 25' BBC Welllcraft Nova with a 85 Ramcharger from Iowa to fl with no brakes but would rather have had them working.

[INXS]

It's no biggie if ya know what your doing, are ya going to go with disk brakes?
Or just discarding them and run no brakes? Not a good idea IMHO! Also depends on what your towing and what with. I would rather fix the brakes. I pulled a 25' BBC Welllcraft Nova with a 85 Ramcharger from Iowa to fl with no brakes but would rather have had them working.

Thanks, I'll look into replacing them. I only paid $900 for the trailer, 8 yrs old with no rust, and I'm sure it's better to have them then not. My worry is I'll use the trailer in salt water and the brakes will not be used for the whole summer as the boat will be kept in the boat yard and I was wondering if it would rust from not being used?

[gfinch]

Brakes are good. No brakes Bad. You can get salt water resistant brake components and backing plates with water hose attachments on them. After you dip that trailer in the salt take the time to rinse it throughly and then drive around trying to evaporate the water inside the drum area. Could blow air through that same rinse port on the backing plate.

My self I like electric brakes with a Prodigy controller. Dont know if there are salt water resistant parts though.

[INXS]

thanks, I'll look into it.

[BUSHWACKER]

Ya can buy stainless steel disc brakes and hardware.
10 cents more ya can go 1st class

[AwesomeBullet]

Also be sure to check into local laws and regs, many states require brakes on trailers over so many pounds....In Florida, anything over 3000 or 3500 (I forget which) requires brakes on one axle...

[BUSHWACKER]

Use lots of Never Seize when you put them on and fresh water wash them down after in salt water may wanna wash them down and re Never Seize when ya winterize it.

[92petejj1]

If you got them fix them I want to put them on mine but the cost is high.

[prolinews]

Depends on what your towing, what your towing with and how much and far you tow. I tow a 4k rig without brakes and take precaution on stopping and following distances etc. I have surge brakes on my play toy and despise them. You can adjust replace take them to the shop and they never seem to work right long. If you and your truck can handle it I say dich'em. No hate mail please.

[wahaneebelly]

E-brake is probably still on before doing more I would check to see if the e-brake was used. They tend to rust up and then stick.<!-- POMPON ADS --> <!-- POST=8 --> <!-- END POMPON ADS --> <!-- message --> If the spring breaks, the brake linings will just drag on the drum surface & increase wear on both drum & shoes. You will hear a constant metallic dragging sound. You can not pull the drum off with the brakes on, It's going to damage the hardware. As it was said try to back them off if the e-brake cable is not stuck on.

[Euroski]

Try http://www.championtrailers.com/ good place to buy trailer stuff.