I have an old 1986 welded Eagle triple axle steel trailer that is in pretty good condition, but has drum brakes that are in need of attention.. I boat in salt water...I am considering my options.. I only trailer the boat about 3 miles the majority of the time. But on rare occasion would like to be able to tow it a few hundred miles safely. So do I break down and buy a new trailer or convert my old one that has electric drum brakes to Kodiak disc. Note: has welded tongue also.....Is it possible or realistic to do? It has 3 3500# axles. I think I would rather have two 6000# axles instead of 3- 3500# axles also... Thoughts.....

Note: Hearing some of the so called custom trailer stories kind of make me concerned about buying new also....thx..russell

Yes you can convert to electric over hydraulic disc which is a great system.

For your boat, call a couple of the aluminum bolt together trailer manufacturers, like Continental and Nextrail, who are somewhat better than average.

I would not put any more money into a welded steel trailer that you are consistently going to use in salt.

Just noticed you are in Houston.
Look up McClain Trailers.

Their early welded aluminum trailers were terrible, but as of the past few years, they look MUCH better.
I had one of their bolted aluminum I-beam trailers, and it was great for the price point.

Thanks.. That is the way I was leaning but unsure of the Mcclain bolt together aluminum trailers...That why I wanted to at least ask.. My trailer is a pretty stout steel trailer.. Seems to be similar to Myco steel trailers and it has lasted this long and in pretty good condition over all....but i will probably spend $4000 to convert and $5500 for new MCclain...thx....

You could add Electric over Hydraulic brakes (EoH), and not have to mess with your tongue. That would be a far better braking option; especially with Kodiak disc brakes. But that again starts to get pricey. You can probably sell your trailer for $1500 bucks and recoup some cost; especially if you clean it up and haul it inland to sell it. (Don't hide the salt water use fact, but you probably won't find a steel trailer buyer on the coast.)

Thx guys....

I had a old steel trailer with drum brakes when I purchased my boat (Great Lakes fresh water) but I moved to the East Coast last year. I took everyone's advice here on OSO and traded my steel trailer in on a new aluminum trailer before I moved. I love my new aluminum trailer with disc brakes!! It was worth every penny!! Tows and stops better than I could imagine.

thx...Sunrocket, sydways, and mild thunder for you advice...

$4000 is a lot to convert. I converted my tri axle I beam from surge drum to EOH disc for about $1600 and that included the brake controller for the truck. The disc brake kits for a 3500# axle are only ~$250 per axle and rarely do you need all three axles with brakes. Mine is setup with two of the three axles. The EOH pump is ~$600. I guess if you are going to pay someone to do the work then it might be $4000 but it's a pretty simple job. Did my whole conversion in about 10 hours!

Thanks
Jim

Yes... Buy I really wanted.. not necessarily needed.... to change from triple axle 3500# to tandem axle 6000#... Maybe over kill but that's what I want....So now I have to add the cost of new tires and wheels and axles... Etc....to get what I want anyway....I try to do the work myself most of the time with a lot of help from a friend in the boat mechanic industry...Thx...r