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[VAC] hydraulic brakes
Hi to all. I'm a wannabie newbie. Found a '77 31' that's only an eight
hour drive away (close-by for these parts), so I'm planning to go look this
weekend. The trailer (exc. cond.) has the old vacuum-hydraulic disc brakes
and the current owner has a vac line running from under the hood to the back
of his truck. He says that the system works beautifully--very smooth and
powerful. I, however, have an F250 Powerstroke, hence the questions:
1. Is the vacuum pump (for truck brakes and tranny) on the Powerstroke
powerful enough to handle the trailer too?
2. If not, the local hitch shop says that it has a Carlisle Hydrostar
electric-hydraulic actuator that is powered by a standard heavy-duty brake
controller (I just put on a Jordan Ultima--hope that can handle the 15 to 20
amps required); one just rips-out the vacuum stuff and replaces it with this
unit (for only $999 CDN), plus a painted steel weather-tight box to put it
in (for only $200 CDN). Does anyone have experience with this unit?
I know that many have changed-over to all electric brakes, but I would like
to keep the hydraulic discs if possible, and also, I would be at the
seller's home doing the change-over, so the actuator change seems to be
quicker and simpler than doing the whole system. Your opinions and
expertise are sought.
Gary Heebner
Prince George, British Columbia
nodoubtinmymind@shaw.ca