6 Best Disc Brake Conversion Kits For Frequent Travel Road Warriors Trust

You’re descending a 7% grade, the full weight of your home-on-wheels pushing against your truck. You gently apply the brakes, but that familiar, spongy feeling of overheating drum brakes sends a jolt of anxiety through your chest. For anyone who puts serious miles on their RV, fifth wheel, or tiny house, this scenario is all too real. This isn’t just about better braking; it’s about having absolute confidence in your ability to stop, no matter the conditions.

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Why Disc Brakes Are a Non-Negotiable Upgrade

The difference between factory-standard electric drum brakes and a hydraulic disc brake system is night and day. Drum brakes rely on shoes pushing outward inside a drum. They work, but they trap a tremendous amount of heat.

Heat is the enemy of braking performance. As drum brakes get hot on a long downhill stretch, they experience "brake fade," a terrifying situation where you push the pedal, but the trailer just keeps on pushing. Disc brakes, with their exposed rotor and caliper design, dissipate heat far more effectively. This means you get consistent, powerful stopping power from the top of the mountain to the bottom.

Beyond raw performance, disc brakes are simpler and more reliable. They have fewer moving parts, are self-adjusting, and are incredibly easy to inspect with a quick glance. For a road warrior, that means less time wrestling with adjustments in a dusty campground and more time enjoying the journey with the peace of mind that comes from superior, reliable stopping power.

Kodiak Trailer Disc Brakes: The Industry Staple

When you start researching disc brake conversions, you’ll see the name Kodiak everywhere, and for good reason. They are the long-standing industry benchmark for quality and reliability. Their kits are robust, well-engineered, and have been proven over millions of miles on the road.

Kodiak offers a range of options to suit different needs and environments. Their kits come with rotors in a raw finish, a protective e-coat, or even full stainless steel for marine applications or for those who travel in the salty, corrosive conditions of the rust belt or coasts. This isn’t just about looks; it’s about long-term durability.

Think of Kodiak as the gold standard for components. Their calipers, rotors, and mounting brackets are what many other kit-assemblers use as their foundation. For the DIYer, a Kodiak kit provides trusted, high-quality hardware that bolts up to most common axle types with minimal fuss.

Performance Trailer Braking: Complete System Kits

While you can piece a system together yourself, companies like Performance Trailer Braking (PTB) specialize in creating perfectly matched, complete kits. They take the guesswork out of a complex job. This is their entire focus, and their expertise shows.

PTB typically builds its kits using top-tier components like Kodiak calipers and rotors, but they package them with the right hydraulic lines and a high-quality electric-over-hydraulic (E/H) actuator. This is crucial. A brake system is only as strong as its weakest link, and they ensure every single component is up to the task and designed to work together.

Imagine you have a 14,000-pound fifth wheel. Instead of trying to figure out if a certain actuator has enough PSI for a specific caliper, you can buy one box from PTB. Inside, you’ll find everything you need, from the brake lines cut to length to the bolts and brackets, all engineered to stop your specific rig safely and effectively.

MORryde Disc Brake System: A Premium Upgrade

MORryde is a name synonymous with high-end suspension systems, and their disc brake system lives up to that reputation. This is often positioned as a premium, integrated solution, frequently installed alongside their Independent Suspension (I.S.) system for the ultimate in ride quality and stopping power.

This isn’t just a collection of parts; it’s an engineered system. MORryde has done the heavy lifting to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance, especially with their own products. The result is exceptionally smooth and powerful braking that feels like an extension of your tow vehicle.

The tradeoff, as with any premium product, is cost. A MORryde system is a significant investment in your rig’s safety and performance. It’s the choice for the full-timer who demands the absolute best and is looking for a professionally installed, top-of-the-line solution that provides unparalleled control and peace of mind.

Dexter Axle Disc Brakes: Trusted OEM Quality

Dexter is one of the biggest names in the trailer axle world. Chances are, the axles under your rig right now are made by them. Opting for a Dexter disc brake conversion kit is the definition of playing it safe with compatibility.

The single biggest advantage of going with Dexter is the guaranteed fit. You know that the caliper brackets will line up perfectly with your Dexter axle flange and the rotors will slide right onto your Dexter hubs. There’s no concern about mismatched parts or the need for custom fabrication, making it a great choice for the confident DIYer who values a straightforward installation.

While they are incredibly reliable and built to a high standard, you might not find the same variety of specialized coatings or high-performance options as you would from a dedicated brake manufacturer. With Dexter, you’re paying for OEM-level quality and the confidence of a perfect, factory-spec fit.

Titan Brakerite E/H: Electric-Hydraulic Power

This isn’t a full brake kit, but it’s the heart of any trailer disc brake conversion: the electric-over-hydraulic (E/H) actuator. The Titan Brakerite is one of the most trusted and widely used actuators on the market, and it’s a critical piece of the puzzle.

The actuator is what translates the electrical signal from your truck’s brake controller into powerful hydraulic pressure. When you hit the brakes, the controller sends a signal to the Brakerite’s electric motor, which runs a pump to pressurize the brake fluid and activate the calipers. The speed and reliability of this unit directly impact how responsive your brakes feel.

The Titan Brakerite has a well-earned reputation for its fast response time and durability. Cheaping out on an actuator is a mistake that will undermine your entire investment in disc brakes. A quality unit like the Brakerite ensures you get the instant, proportional braking that makes the entire system so effective.

Lippert Disc Brakes: For Integrated Systems

Alongside Dexter, Lippert (LCI) is a dominant force in the RV component industry. They manufacture everything from frames and axles to slide-out mechanisms and furniture. If your rig is built on a Lippert chassis with Lippert axles, their disc brake conversion kits are a logical choice.

Much like with Dexter, the primary benefit here is system integration. Choosing a Lippert kit for your Lippert axles removes any doubt about fitment and compatibility. You’re getting a product designed by the same company that engineered the foundation of your RV.

Because Lippert components are so common, parts and service are widely available across the country, which is a significant plus for full-time travelers. Their systems are built to be reliable workhorses, providing a solid and dependable braking upgrade that integrates perfectly into their existing ecosystem.

Key Factors: Matching Your Axle and Actuator

Choosing the right kit isn’t just about picking a brand; it’s about ensuring the components match your specific setup. The entire system must be balanced. An overpowered actuator can lead to grabby brakes that lock up, while an underpowered one will leave you with a mushy pedal feel and diminished performance.

Before you buy anything, you need to identify key details about your rig. This is non-negotiable.

• Axle Manufacturer: Is it a Dexter, Lippert, or another brand?
• Axle Weight Rating: Look for a sticker on the axle tube. Common ratings are 6,000, 7,000, or 8,000 lbs.
• Lug Bolt Pattern: How many lugs hold on your wheel, and what is the pattern (e.g., 8 on 6.5")?
• Brake Flange: What is the bolt pattern for the caliper mounting bracket?

The E/H actuator is the other half of the equation. You need to ensure it has the correct pressure rating (typically 1,600 PSI for most RV applications) and, crucially, that it’s compatible with your tow vehicle’s integrated brake controller (IBC). Some newer truck IBCs are not designed for the electrical demands of E/H systems, and you may need a special adapter to make them work correctly. Don’t skip this research.

Upgrading your trailer’s brakes from drum to disc is one of the single most impactful safety modifications you can make. It transforms the towing experience from a white-knuckle ride into a controlled and confident drive. The investment pays for itself the first time you navigate a surprise traffic jam or a steep mountain pass without a second thought.