Disk Brakes - Electric over Hydraulic???

[JJW_ND]

I kind of jumped in on another thread (Brakesmart) and thought it might be helpful to just start a new thread for someone else.

We are looking into upgrading several of your transport trailers from standard electric brakes to Dexter Hydraulic Disk brakes. The trailers have 8K torsion axles riding on 17.5 tires.

From what I have been told, Dexter makes a direct bolt on disk brake assembly that runs about $400 per side (or $800 per axle) as compared to $250 ($500 per axle)per side for just the inner brake assembly less the drum for electric. The axles must be Dexter and there is a minimum drop requirement for clearance. A hydraulic line kit for about $70 and the electric over hydraulic controller is all that is required. Dexter and Masterbrake both make a controller. Dexters is about $700. This all sounds very expensive to most of you, but when you are running 20K miles in less the three months and lots of gravel roads, the upkeep, maintenance costs, and down time gets old. Not to mention the feeling when one or more brakes quit (wires torn, magnets, springs....).

There are also restrictions on what in cab brake controller can be used. Dexter wrote me stating Tekonsha Prodigy, Sentinal, and 9055 are on the DO NOT WORK with there EH1600 Electric over Hydraulic controller. They also said the new 2005 factory trailer brake controller is not compatible either.

What I am interested in as any comments for those of you with trailer disk brakes: How they are working out? What size are yours? what in-cab controller you are using? What trailer setup you have (Dexter controller - Masterbrake controller - Dexter Disks)?

Thanks for any comments and advice?

jjw
ND