Adding Disc Brakes to a 1997 Jayco Tent Trailer that has Hydraulic Drum Brakes

Updated 07/10/2018 | Published 07/06/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Kodiak Disc Brake Kit - 10" Hub/Rotor - 5 on 4-1/2 - Dacromet - 3,500 lbs

(90)

$521.79

Hub Bearing Kit for Lippert, Dexter, and AL-KO Axles - 3,500 lb with #84 Spindle

(2827)

$15.94

Question:

1997 Jayco Tent trailer with surge break shoes. Can this be converted into a disc break system. Single axle 3500 lb with 5 lugs. If so what kit would be best for this configuration.

asked by: Bryce B

Expert Reply:

Yes, you can convert your 1997 Jayco tent trailer to disc brakes. You can use the same brake lines you have now, and you won't have to change or add brake mounting flanges, but you will need to replace the coupler with one that is for disc brakes. A drum brake actuator does not produce a high enough brake fluid psi to properly activate disc brakes.

As for the brakes themselves you mentioned you have a 3,500 pound axle so your trailer likely uses L68149 and L44649 bearings (you can pull a hub off to check the bearing numbers to confirm). That means you can use Kodiak disc brake kit # K2HR35D. This is also a good time to replace the bearings. The brake kit does not include them so you would need bearing kit # BK2-100. If you have different bearing numbers let me know.

For the coupler we have a lot of options depending on the mounting requirements of the trailer. I have included a link to all of the disc brake options but generally you will see 6,000 to 7,500 pound couplers with the 3,500 pound disc brake kits. I have also included a link to our help article on the parts needed to add disc brakes to a trailer. So of the parts you already have so you can disregard those.

expert reply by: Michael H