Choosing Between Electric Or Electric Over Hydraulic Brakes on Grand Design Solitude 375RE 5th Wheel

Question

Question:

I have a 2014 RAM 3500 SRW 4x44 6.7 diesel integrated brake controller, towing a 2015 Granddesign Solitude 375RE. I am interested in possible changing the manual adjust brakes to auto adjust brakes or disk brakes. Should I go with electric or hydraulic and what would I need to get? I have also been told to change the seals.

asked by: Paul D

0

Expert Reply:

Mechanically speaking, electric brakes are simpler. They're easier to troubleshoot. They're quite a bike less expensive than hydraulic disc brakes. Disc brakes provide more efficient braking. If all in all, you're happy enough with the way your current electric brakes perform (other than the fact they don't currently self adjust) I'd probably stick with electric.

In order to recommend the correct Nev-R-Adjust electric brake assemblies, I'd need to know the capacity of each of your axles, the inside diameter of your brake drums and the bolt pattern of your wheels. I'll link you to an FAQ article that shows how to determine this. I'll also need to know the bolt pattern of your brake mounting flange (4 or 5 bolt). If you don't know the axle capacity, look for a tag or label on the axles themselves. Or, if you can provide the inner and outer bearing reference numbers, I can make an educated guess about the axle capacity.

To recommend a grease seal, I'll need to know the inner bearing number and the diameter of the spindle where the grease seal rides. You can use a digital caliper like part # PTW80157 to measure the spindle diameter.

To install disc brakes, you'll need the following:

An Electric Over Hydraulic Actuator like the Cargo Towing Solutions # HBA16, which is compatible with your integrated brake controller.

Break away system like # 50-85-313 if you don't already have one.

Rotor/Caliper Kit- I'd need to know the tire size and the inner and outer bearing numbers as well as the brake mounting flange bolt pattern and the wheel bolt pattern to make a recommendation.

You'll also need a hydraulic brake line kit like part # HS496-253.

I've also linked you to an FAQ article that fully explains what you'll need to convert to an electric over hydraulic disc brake system if that's what you decide to do.

expert reply by: Mike L

0

Answer 1

The Demco Hijackers like the #DM8550024 do have locking plates on the sides of them to prevent having to use a capture plate for most fifth wheel pin boxes but the MORryde pin boxes have a cut out area on the sides of the pin box to allow for the…

view full answer...

Answer 2

The MORryde Cushioned 5th Wheel Pin Box - Lippert 1621HD - 18,000 lbs Item #MR64VR is designed to replace your current Lippert 1621 HD pin box

view full answer...

Answer 3

Since you have an older trailer, the brakes could have possibly been switched from electric to hydraulic or the other way around. Even on newer campers, unless it is just purchased from the manufacturer, it would be just a guessing game for someone…

view full answer...

Answer 4

The B&W Companion OEM 5th-Wheel Hitch for Ford Super Duty Prep Package - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs #BWRVK3300 is a confirmed fit for your 2017 Ford F-350 with factory rail kit for 5th wheel. This hitch weighs just under 150 lbs. It does come in…

view full answer...

Answer 5

Right now, the individual 1/2" x 2" bolts, cap screws, and split washers, for the B&W Companion Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter #BWRVK3500 are only available as a kit with the replacement base #BWRVBK3500.

view full answer...

Answer 6

For your B&W Companion Slider Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs #BWRVK3400 that draw down bolt is 1/2" x 3-1/2". We don't have the factory bolt and washer replacement, but you can use a grade 5…

view full answer...

Answer 7

Yes, the camlock that is included in the #LC359724 will glue to your current sewer outlet with a few simple steps. First, remove the cap from your existing fitting. Use a hacksaw to cut off the exterior bayonet tabs and then smooth the surface with…

view full answer...

Answer 8

When adjusting the arms of the #BWRVK3305, you have the option of setting up so the king pin will sit 3 inches forward or 1 inch forward of the axle. I'd set it up at the tallest height, 18-3/4 inches above the floor of the truck bed and 1 inch…

view full answer...

Answer 9

You will want the hitch to be set at the height that 1) allows the trailer to be level, and 2) allows you a minimum of 6 inches between the bottom of the trailer loft and the top of the bed rails. The fifth wheel hitches offer several inches of up…

view full answer...

Answer 10

I reached out to my contact at B&W and they said that the B&W Companion Slider Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs #BWRVK3400 sometimes within the first use or two this happens if you haven't used grease.…

view full answer...

Answer 11

The new Rhino Box from Lippert currently has no replacements so you won't be able to swap out this pin box with a Sidewinder to add more turning clearance. Because of this you'll have to use a sliding 5th wheel hitch in your 6.5' bed to…

view full answer...

Answer 12

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

view full answer...