Best $2k Spent on My Ranger...

[NorthernFocus]

... wasn't on the boat but on the trailer. With our previous boat and again when we first purchased our R25 spring commissioning always involved a good bit of work and a few hundred dollars to get the trailer brakes working. That in spite of judiciously rinsing the trailer with fresh water after every haul out. So a few years ago I bit the bullet and spent $2200(DIY so no labor cost) to replace all of the brake components with stainless steel parts. I had used stainless calipers in the past but this time replace everything including stainless disks. I'm happy to say that this is the fifth season with nothing more than topping up the brake fluid and testing the brakes before hitting the road. Overall cost probably averaged out the same but has saved me a couple of days of work each spring. Something worth considering for anyone who really needs trailer brakes to function and launches in salt water.

 

[knotflying]

I did the same with mine and it was a good move.

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

What brand is your trailer?


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[NorthernFocus]

What brand is your trailer?

EZ Loader trailer. Replaced brakes with all Kodiak ss parts bought on line.

 

[Brian B]

I did the same with the Kodiak brand. I bought through Etrailer.
Don’t waste your money on the Dacromet finish on the rotors.

 

[lproulx]

Does your EZ Loader have separate rotors and hubs or a combined rotor and hub? My single axle EZ Loader for my R-21EC has the latter, and no one seems to be able to help with SS parts.

Larry

 

[NorthernFocus]

Does your EZ Loader have separate rotors and hubs or a combined rotor and hub? My single axle EZ Loader for my R-21EC has the latter, and no one seems to be able to help with SS parts.

The original hubs had integrated rotors. I converted it to separate galvanized hub and stainless rotor. The hubs are standardized so easy to switch over if you want. The only thing I've found to be unique about the EZ Loader was the size of the axle and therefore the seal also. The axle diameter on the model that I have is 1/8in smaller than the "standard" axle with the same load rating.

IMO the stainless hubs make a huge difference in longevity of the brakes. Regular steel rotors get rust bloom on them within hours of hauling out. The next time the trailer is moved the rust wears the brake pads and gets rubbed off the rotor. Net result is worn brake pads plus all of the brake parts get coated with very fine powder that is a mixture of iron oxide and brake pad material. It really gums things up causing calipers to stick etc.