Tie Down G5 User Manual
“G5”
Stainless Steel Disc
Brake Owner’s Manual
Stainless Steel Disc Brake Instructions
The advantages disc brakes have over drum brakes include:
• Greater fade resistance • Self-cleaning
• Self-adjusting • Less maintenance
• Greater stopping power • Easy visual inspection without removing any parts
Tie Down Engineering G5 Stainless Steel disc brakes with aluminum caliper have
many exclusive features not found on automotive type brakes modified for trailer use.
Please visit our web site www.tiedown.com for further information on features and benefits.
G5 Stainless Steel disc brakes are designed to activate when the vehicle’s brakes
are applied. As the vehicle stops or slows, the momentum of the trailer pushes
forward developing pressure in the actuator (master cylinder), used to apply pressure to
the brakes.
Operating Information
Read and understand the towing instructions for your tow vehicle, trailer and actuator.
Check your trailer frequently for any leaks in the hydraulic system, which includes the
actuator, brake lines and brakes.
If the trailer is used in salt water, it is highly recommended that you rinse off the
brakes with fresh water after each use to reduce the effects of saltwater corrosion and
salt build-up (residue).
Your trailer should tow easily. Disc brakes operate at a higher temperature than
drum brakes. This is normal and is very similar to the way disc brakes operate on your
vehicle. If for any reason your trailer does not tow easily or wants to veer to one side,
stop and investigate immediately and solve the problem.
Towing a trailer (even a trailer with brakes) puts an added load on the tow vehicle’s
handling and braking capabilities. Do not follow to closely; you will need extra distance
to maneuver and to stop.
Towing downhill puts added stress on both the tow vehicle and the trailer. Slow
down before you start on an incline and maintain a controlled downhill speed with
repeated application of brakes followed by a cooling period when brakes are not
applied. It is very important to start off with a slow speed and maintain it rather than
trying to slow down from a higher speed. Should you feel the brakes on the trailer or
tow vehicle are running hot or showing signs of fade, stop immediately on the side of
the road and allow the brakes to cool before resuming your trip.
Stainless Steel Disc Brake Instructions
Should you feel that the tow vehicle brakes or trailer brakes are not working
properly; have the tow vehicle and trailer brake system inspected. Make sure your
trailer’s GVWR is within the tow vehicles capacity. If your trailer has multiple axles,
verify that the GVWR of the trailer does not exceed the capacity of the brakes, which
is 3750 lbs on 10-inch (5 lug) brakes and 6000 lbs on 12-inch (6 lug) brakes, per axle.
Some states require brakes on all axles.
Check with your state laws and the state laws of where you will be using your trailer
prior to towing.
After long trips or downhill towing, your brakes could become very hot and it is a
good idea to let them cool down before submerging in cold water. The change in
temperature of very hot brakes submerged in water creates additional stress on the
parts and could cause damage to your brakes.
Pads must be replaced when the friction material is 3/32°± or less. Original Tie
Down Engineering brake pads for the G5 Stainless Steel disc brakes have a ceramic
pad material and a stainless steel backing plate that aids in corrosion resistance.
Disc brakes require the use of flexible brake lines attached to the caliper. The calipers
“float” and should not be used with metal brake lines that will restrict movement and
cause overheating or brake failure. If you are replacing existing brakes and using the
existing metal brake lines, either replace metal brake lines with a Tie Down Engineering
brake line kit or add flexible extensions to the metal lines to connect to the disc brake
calipers.
Disc brakes require the use of an actuator designed for disc brakes. If you are
replacing drum brakes, you must also change the actuator to a disc brake model. Using
a drum brake actuator with disc brakes will cause overheating, loss of braking power
and possible brake failure.
Use DOT 3 brake fluid only. DOT 3 can be labeled as “synthetic”.
DO NOT USE SILICONE BASED BRAKE FLUID.
When backing a trailer with disc brakes, you must have a lockout device on the
actuator or preferably an electrically operated solenoid to stop brake pressure to the
disc brakes. The solenoid is mounted at the rear of the actuator, between the master
cylinder and brake line. The solenoid has a wire that is connected to your back up
lights. When the tow vehicle transmission is put in reverse, the reverse light voltage
activates the solenoid. This will either stop or redirect the brake fluid to keep the brakes
from operating while in reverse.
2
Caliper
Mounting
Bracket
Slider Pin
“G5” Installation/Replacement Instructions for
9.6” 5-Lug Stainless Steel Disc Brakes
1. Elevate the trailer on a level surface using the trailer manufacturer’s instructions.
Always use jack stands for support. Do not depend on a jack to support the trailer.
Block wheels to keep trailer from rolling.
2. If installation is on a completed trailer, remove tire/wheel.
3. Disc Brakes require the use of flexible brake lines attached to the caliper. The
calipers “float” and should not be used with metal brake lines that will restrict
movement and cause overheating or brake failure. If you are replacing existing
brakes and have metal brake lines, either replace the metal brake lines with a Tie
Down Engineering flexible brake line kit or add flexible extensions to the metal lines
to connect to the disc brake calipers.
4. Remove existing brakes or hubs. Clean spindles with a soft cloth to remove old
grease and containments. Coat the spindle with a light coat of clean oil or grease to
allow a smooth installation of the hub/rotor.
5. Place the G5 hub/rotor on the spindle. Install the washer and castle nut supplied
with your axle, Rotate the hub while tightening the spindle nut to approximately
50 ft lbs. This translates into full hand pressure with a 12” long set of pliers or
12” long wrench.
Rotor/Hub
Install rotor/hub on spindle Slide caliper onto the slider pins
6. Loosen the spindle nut to remove the torque, do not rotate hub.
7. Tighten the spindle nut until snug, backing out only to line up the locking tang
washer or cotter pin to the first available position.
8. Bend the locking tang tab or cotter pin in place.
9. Your G5 brakes come with pre-assembled mounting brackets and stainless steel
slider pins. DO NOT REMOVE SLIDER PINS. If the slider pins are removed for any
reason the threads must be cleaned and a new coat of “permanent” Loctite®
must be applied. Clean and apply Loctite® to threads on the mounting plate. Be
careful not to get Loctite® on slider pins or bushings. Torque slider pins
to 40 ft. lbs
3
Caliper
Slider Pin
Mounting
Bracket
Loading...