Can Drum Brake Actuator on Trailer be Reused with Disc Brakes

Updated 07/18/2020 | Published 03/07/2018

Question:

Im looking to put disc brakes on my boat trailer . Its a shorlander single axle 3500lbs . It has a actuator in the tonque for drum brakes . Do you have a kit where I can use my same tonque ? Thx Rick

asked by: Rick H

Expert Reply:

Since drum brakes and disc brakes require different amounts of hydraulic pressure you'd have to swap out your coupler or if available switch the master cylider of what you have to be compatible with disc brakes. I'd have to see what coupler you have to see if we have a master cylinder for it.

For a 3,500 lb axle though we have the disc brake kit from Kodiak part # K2HR35D which would work well. Aside from this and figuring out your coupler situation you'd be set.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Mike

7/13/2020

Replacing hydraulic drum brakes on older, but well cared for, Heritage trailer, dual axle, 14 in wheel, 5 lug, and A-60 actuator, looking at your kit K2HR35D, is this the proper kit? And I’ve read we need to disable/remove check valve in master cylinder, is that very difficult? Is it easier just to replace master cylinder? Or remove valve?

Chris R.

7/18/2020

If you have a 3,500 pound axle on the trailer the Kodiak Disc Brake Kit # K2HR35D is perfect. For your A-60 actuator you can use part # DX44FR to make it compatible with disc brakes. This isn't too difficult of a process.