trailer brakes question

YotaOnRocks

YotaOnRocks

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2007
Location
Madison
I have a trailer with 2 7200# dexter ez-lube torsion axles. I had a grinding noise coming from the front driver side axle the other day. So I took the hub off to inspect and found that the clip holding the magnet on had broke and the magnet was dragging on the drum. So I went to colfax trailer to get clip and while I was there I checked on price for new brakes. I almost crap myself when he told me they we're 225 a wheel. Evidently the dexter 7200's are odd and extremely pricey. I don't need brakes now but was looking for your guys input as to what you would do. Brakes would cost about 1000 for all 4 wheels when the time comes or I could get 2 7000# leaf sprung axles for around 1000 plus leafs and hangers. Or swap in two 7000# torsion axles for around 1600 which should bolt right in place of the two I have now. I would assume I could sell the two 7200 pound torsion axles for a couple hundred a piece since there's nothing wrong with them other than they wouldn't have any brakes. What would you guys do? Bite bullet and just pay for brakes when needed ,swap axles, or any other thoughts/suggestions. Hope this made since I typed it up on break time. Appreciate your help and input.
 
brake backing plates

i ma be wrong but i think thats high... i work for Hickory enclosed Trailers and i can get u a price on monday if u are interested, i would just need u to txt andremid me to check a price my name is jr 828-446-8552
 
I'd swap in two 7k torsions before I paid $225/ea for loaded backing plates.

I'm looking at about $650-700 to replace drums and backing plates on two 7k Dexter torsions. That's w/EZ Lube hubs and self-adjusting hardware.

Brakes get pretty expensive after you take the jump up to the 7200/8k/9k stuff. They probably last longer and stop faster, though... the shoes and drums are a lot bigger.
 
Jr that would be great if you can get me a price I will text you monday to remind you. Yeah 225 a piece is ridiculous. .Can anybody give an estimate of how long the brakes might last. I know there are many variables but just an idea maybe 2 years or 5 years? I've never had a trailer with brakes until this one. Trailer only sees about 2000 miles a year and I don't overload it.
 
another option is to have your brakes rebuilt. Carolina Clutch and Brake, in Hickory re-lines your shoes, or they sell the complete set up.
Compete backing plate for a Dexter 5K axle is only $50
 
Didn't know that you could have shoes relined. I might check up on that. Yeah if it was a 7000 axle I could get loaded backing plate for $50.
 
Yeah, I actually thought about it some more last night... at the very least, those shoes are 25% wider than what you'd have in a 7k axle. They're probably a bit longer, too.

I'd run it. You can put shoes on it a couple of times before you need to replace everything, and even replacing the whole backing plate once is cheaper than a 7k axle swap. How old are the brakes now? And how much meat is left on the shoes?

Guessing this is an enclosed trailer?
 
No it is a 23ft deckover. Does rednek not have prices on they're website? I appreciate everybody help and input. Here is a picture of the trailer.
 

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I am unsure how old they are as I bought the trailer used in 2010. i didn't measure thickness of shoe but it was at least a 1/4 inch of meat on them.
 
Oh yeah, those will last forever.

The 7k shoes only have like 3/16" on them, brand new.
 
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