What is the Ultimate HDT/RV brake system?? Options

[Jack Mayer]

This is future planning....I currently have a Mor/Ryde suspension and Dexter 8K electric brakes. The Mor/Ryde MUST STAY.

If I was going to redo the brakes on my trailer and go to discs then what would everyone think is the ultimate stopping solution.....everything from the truck back.

I know Henry likes the Blue Dot system, and so do I. But there are other solutions/combinations. So what components would one put on the "ultimate stopper"?

[Jack Mayer]

This is future planning....I currently have a Mor/Ryde suspension and Dexter 8K electric brakes. The Mor/Ryde MUST STAY.

If I was going to redo the brakes on my trailer and go to discs then what would everyone think is the ultimate stopping solution.....everything from the truck back.

I know Henry likes the Blue Dot system, and so do I. But there are other solutions/combinations. So what components would one put on the "ultimate stopper"?

[Hogrydr]

Jack I looked into it and feel like the Blu-dot is the best for us as HDTers also ..From hook up, the modulation matching the trucks braking, to the ease of installation ...JMO ...I am going to install this system !!..just hadn't had the time ..to much going on ..still have the air over hydraulics ...and that system would be good except for a little delay in the trailer brakes coming on after truck brake application .....Jim

[Phil D]

I have exactly the same setup that you have, Jack. If cost were no object, I too would keep the Mor/Ryde, but I'd switch to the Dexter hydraulic disc brakes (I prefer the fixed, opposing piston calipers over the floating calipers in the Kodiak discs) and a Blu-Dot system. My budget, however, tells me that I'm stuck with the sorry-assed electric brakes for the time being.

[RVnBikerBob - Bo...]

I guess the ultimate braking system would be true ABS air brakes (semi trailer style) and would include 'spring brakes'.

...with you on the Mor-Ryde, but we have had very good braking response with Dexter's 8K electric brakes on all three axles of our Teton. We use a Hayes Lemitz air/electric controller, the combination of which has no problem locking up all 6 trailer wheels at highway speed (if you set the controller near max). Most of all, the response is smooth and proportional to the tractor air brakes.

With a pickup towing a heavy fiver (with no, or psudo, Jake), fade becomes a serious issue (from experience living in the mountain west), so disc brakes might be the best solution. As for us with HDT's, the service brakes are only needed for stopping, and not for holding back on long down-slopes, therefore conventional brakes are just fine.

-b

[RVReady]

As a last ditch effort perhaps one of these would work. By design it is a "one shot" arrangement, and the road maintenance crews would be on the look out for you! But, when all else fails..etc..

Oops..maybe this should be listed in the humor thread..

[DJW]

Mike

I have 3 of those but I only use them on our 42'er not on our 65'er. If you have a nice muddy bottom they work quite well.

Dennis

[hjsdds]

Yes Jack, I do "love" the BluDot System.

I hope you allow me to "diverge a bit" on your thread. When I was selling brake controllers I needed "material" to give seminars and to appear all knowing and omnipotent. It also required having "opinions" that were surrounded but at least a modicum of factual information. One of the frequently asked questions was,
"how well will your controller work with electric brakes"?
And here I quote from my "spiel". [quote]hjs

[Dave K.]

[quote] I've been asking around about air brake disc brakes to put on my tilt trailer, but so far, no one has had anything that will work for it. I'll probably just end up going with a new set of axles in the future to get full on air, or just trade up to a pintle hitch drawn commercial trailer all together. Either way, I'm very interested in whatever you decide on, it is going to be a upcoming issue for me as well once we get settled into our upcoming home. my Dodge's body is quickly unraveling, so it's replacement will be air brake equipped of some sort, I'm sick of hydraulics and electrics all together.

[Scrapmaker]

....but it's still a heavy truck controlling it all.... You're not going to get under 200ft (200ft is my definition of the ultimate stopper wall) without air disc brakes or maybe 16.5x5 front and 16.5x8 5/8 rear s-cams on the tractor.

But that is all straight line stuff. The ultimate stopper would also have stability control for the crooked stops and the new vorad/smartcruise to start the decel before the driver sees it.

[Jack Mayer]

To further this discussion:

1) It is pretty much a given I will go with an air-actuated brake system. Blue Dot is certainly at the top of my list. But I wonder about the simplicity of a Hayes system. Some have had very good luck with it.

2) I would LIKE to upgrade my brakes to disc. As much for maintenance and reliability as stopping power. I know that properly adjusted and set up drums can stop my rig pretty well. Maybe even as good as discs. But the maintenance is far greater - therefore the reliability is suspect.

3) My current setup is as good as it is going to be without changing equipment. I've got good electrical all the way back to the brakes. #10 wire everywhere, equal length runs to the wheels, everything soldered and properly protected. So there is no real room for improvement there. My brakes are properly adjusted and inspected.

4). Because I tow doubles, and my trailer sits for relatively long periods I feel I need to have the discs. Nothing else is as reliable in those circumstances. IMO. I lean toward the Dexter discs, But I do not think they fit with the stock M/R setup....anyone know for sure?

So, Jim, when do you want to do the Blue Dot upgrade? I'll come "help" if you time it right. Or, maybe Henry will come out this way and we can do both under his supervision - since he has done so many of them. Oh, wait, I forgot. Henry is permanently attached to the "greater Northeast" .

[Hogrydr]

Now that would be a fun project !!!!! Maybe we need to go to the master and partake in his invite to the "labsta feast" ..and do air brakes and hitch !!..But not in the winter !!!If its winter ..we should do it here or in Mission ...!!!! Jim

[hjsdds]

Jim, a little "birdie", currently on a migrating journey from southern wintering grounds to northeast "nesting" grounds told me this morning that you could be partaking in festivities which include cracking shells on that bottom dwelling Maine crustacean.
Should the BluDot arrive here on your personage, or be drop shipped prior to your august appearance, your humble servants shall be able to enhance your braking "experience" to a point where any hints of indigestion will flee and crustaceans will be enjoyed with gusto.
Additionally, we have grown and we have learned.
The painful experiences of dropping the fifth wheel pan,

to run the air lines (on yours truly rig), or the knuckle busting routine to thread the lines forward (ala DIYGuy and Sibernut approach) we find now absolutely unnecessary. All of these were "good solutions" but they were awkwardly performed, sort of like that awkwardness being with a "worldly Lady" having just emerged from puberty.
It is not necessary, on Chef's truck we "pioneered" a method of exiting the air lines from the front storage compartment which cut the installation time by more than half.
So Jim, you could bring this new "experience" (and a sample) to Retama, for Jack's perusal, that should "inspire him and motivate him" so that he stops screwing around and puts that BluDot in.
However, since Jack approaches things with a deliberate study and slowness you might have to have a "security cover" over the Junior. Sort of like Detroit does when they bring new "models" to the test track. It just might be too much for Jack to accept "that much change".

Jack, here's the 8,000 lbs axle disk that Dexter sells.

Looks like a 4 hole pattern to attach it to the axle. I can probably get you dimensions and then you can take a peek at your Moryde to see if it would fit.
Dexter was kind of slow on the uptake and let Moryde eat their lunch with their Kodiak disks. For the longest time I thought that it was somehow a version of the GM disks from their Kodiak. Wrong! It's a separate company that got together with Moryde.
But when Dexter got serious their ate Moryde's lunch. Dexter's disk is bigger, uses larger pads and the calipers are double acting with pressure being applied to both sides of the caliper. It's really a superior disk brake.

Now getting back to the the "migrating birdie" on a northeast trek. Apparently the northeast weather was not too kind to the "birdie", it trimmed its wings so it can't fly this morning.
An April snow storm is hampering it's departure.
You see, the "birdie" knew about the eminence and possibility of the squall, but it had its wings (slides) extended and not folded. And now, like a cormorant, it must sit with its wings out and hope that the sun warms them up and dries them off, since folding wet wings is not conducive to proper "flight".

hjs

[Hogrydr]

Poor little Birdie!!!! Henry you sure can spin a yarn !!!! I think we would like to visit the northeast before winter sets in ..and feast on a few of those delicious crustaceans...And ..have the Master supervise the Blu-dot install..and a hitch if you and the birdie get on the stick and design the lower profile hitch...Are you planning on staying there another winter ???? If you do I hear the East Coast Deva may mutiny...Man pack up the CAD and head south before the first snow ... Jim

[hjsdds]

Poor little Birdie is right! This is the East Coast Deva replying for the Master! The chilly "Birdie" was singing bright and early on our cell this morning, twice! He postponed his arrival at the Masters Resort from noon to mid-afternoon tomorrow due to the fluffy white stuff! We would love to have you come and enjoy Lobstahs with us!The ET Junior is all designed and ready to go so no problemo! It would be good to do that and the Blue Dot in July before the rally since we are filling up our schedule. If you definitely plan to come for Lobstah please email budandmarsha@gmail.com the Wagon Masters, and also call the Pumpkin Patch Resort in Hermon, Maine 207 848 2231 to make a reservation. Sites are limited and the cut off date is in early July. Just ask for Marilyn, the owner (they are SKP's too)and see if you can park near us in the back row near the function hall.We are going on Monday and leaving the next Monday since we don't like traveling in the Maine traffic on Sundays. We enjoy the social get together Monday and the group dinner out together the night before the rally starts. We use Passport America for the days before and after the rally. Rally dates are August 13 to the 17th. Last year the "Birdie", SONO, and the Chef all joined us and we had a great time! Good little Birdie helped repair the strap on our gas tank which we really appreciated! This year Gail and Steve Dixon are coming and are all registered. And yes indeed Jim, mutiny is a polite term! It would take ALL the men in China to get this East Coast Deva back to New England after the HDT Rally! The CAD will be packed, and an ample supply of shiny new ET Hitches will be stuffed into Kechup's drom (might even be one in there with Master Jacks name on it) when we leave here in September for Kansas. That is all providing the Good Fairy gets some Elves up here this week to help build the d_ _ drom! D.Barnes arrives the 20th in another week to start his project, so they better be quick little Elves! Let us know your plans and the new motto is "boycott snow"! Hugs, East Coast Deva

[DIYGuy]

Wings are tucked and folded.

Sat box is reattached.

Off angle hookup in the mud is done and complete.

Should be making the final leg of the migration from the land of Hillbilly to Peoples Republic of Taxachusetts tomorrow AM.

[GrayEagle]

Though I still have aways to go before getting my HDT and interested in doing the same as Jack, could someone point to the blue Dot site. Haven't heard of them until now and would like to continue my research.
Also hope when Henry moves he will still be selling his hitches, as one is on my list once I get the HDT end of this year.

[Phil D]

Here you go, GrayEagle:

www.bludotinc.com

[Jack Mayer]

Jim, we need to get the "Master" down south. None of this Mass stuff....I don't go North of the Mason Dixon, for sure....But I sure could be convinced to come play with the garbage trucks some time.

As to the "Birdie"....he has now learned about snow and RVs....like me, he will not make that mistake again.

Henry, I will call M/R some time in the near future and "discuss" using Dexter discs. If I recall from my last "discussion" the issue was the spindle.

As far as the speed of getting it done..well, some of us do not work (unlike you and Jim who are raking in the $$). So some of us have to figure out how to actually pay for stuff....

[hjsdds]

GrayEagle, if you want to see a BluDot installation check this out. Other than Sibernut's this was probably as ugly as it gets, primarily because of the funky rig I own. It took a day and half. Chef's installation, if we were to discount the running around trying to find parts in Wichita, took only about 2-3 hours of actual work.
Hitches shall be manufactured regardless whether I am freezing my a.. around here in New England or have my bones reach more equitable temperature balance with the climactic surroundings.

hjs