EvilZ wrote:
I do spend time in salt as well as fresh. I managed to get the first disc and hub off and it is a Kodiak 225 setup.
Is Kodiak's Silver/Cad superior to Tie Down's galvanized or stainless systems?
Also, is there supposed to be some identification on the bearings so that I can ensure the correct replacements? If so, I sure cant see any....
I don't have any direct experience because my old 94 Load Rite has a set of surge drums I put on about 6 years ago and I have gotten good service out of them because my boat sits on the mooring all summer and the trailer only goes in salt about 4 times a season...
But I have heard that the Tie Down stainless (non vented rotor) were very troublsome as noted on a number of websites...I have not heard so many complaints about the Tie Down Galvax vented discs (totally different design than the stainless)...most users seem to feel the Kodiak is the best but that's hard to judge. I think that both Load Rite and Venture use the Tie down Galvax vented discs...
I stuck with drums because they worked well for me and I am in a hilly area and with a surge actuator I'd be concerned that the brakes would drag and over heat if I used discs...drums have the return springs to pull the shoes away from the drum...discs have to rely on the back flow of fluid through the actuator...
Which brings up another point...if you put discs on a trailer that had drums...you must either remove the check valve that keeps residual pressure on the system...or put on a disc brake actuator...and add a back up solenoid since discs do work in reverse...unlike free backing drums....
see
http://www.championtrailers.comand read through the tech articles disc vs drum...