Converting Drum Brakes to Disk

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Travco Model: 1978 270

Converting Drum Brakes to Disk

Unread post by chuck » Tue Aug 05, 2014 1:25 pm

Our 1978 27-foot TRAVCO has drum brakes. Even with downshifting on long steep inclines I don't trust the drum brakes. Anyone know about converting to disk brakes?

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Travco Model: 1975 270,1974 220
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Re: Converting Drum Brakes to Disk

Unread post by Acesneights » Tue Aug 05, 2014 7:46 pm

Are you talking the rear brakes ? If i is a 78, it should have front disc already. The late 73+ 270s stop pretty good actually. I had an early 73 with drums in the front and a 1970 220 with front drums that were scary on long grades.\nNo one makes a conversion that I know off. I have often contemplated trying to swap the axles to something more modern like say from an F550 Superduty. Of course this would mean changing the entire braking system, not just the axles.\nIf you brakes are not stopping good and you have front discs perhaps there is something wrong. I have pulled my VW Golf behind my 270 and the Tow Dolly does not have brakes and I can stop fine.
1977 Travco 270 Elite\n1974 Travco 220 Parts unit

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Re: Converting Drum Brakes to Disk

Unread post by Acesneights » Tue Aug 05, 2014 7:52 pm

FWIW..\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqr_DnGkFEs\n\n ... aspx\n\nOf course the issue would be we have 5 lug so I am not sure if the front rotors from our rigs would line up to the rear hub and good luck finding a set anyway.\n\nBut anything can be done... :mrgreen:
1977 Travco 270 Elite\n1974 Travco 220 Parts unit

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Re: Converting Drum Brakes to Disk

Unread post by 77Travco » Wed Aug 06, 2014 11:03 am

My 1977 Travco 270 stops pretty good with its factory front disc's and rear drums. Maybe you have glazed rotors up front or are in need of rear shoe adjustment?

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Legalese for modifying brake system:

Unread post by badbillybiker » Sat Aug 09, 2014 8:02 pm

Hello... Curious as to the ramifications from a legality POV. \nIf one modifies or changes the braking system on a vehicle or RV...and removes the "hydrovacs" and replaces the power brake unit and now is operating on just hydraulic and a powered brake master cylinder... and one gets into a wreck/accident...\nAre you still covered under your insurance policy or is it void like driving with an expired tag or driving a car that has been jury rigged by some mechanic and would not possibly pass a stae inspection and returned onto the road.... Is a person allowed to change/modify a brake system from the original factory/state approved design?\nCurious... as the subject came up in a conversation and an answer could not be agreed upon.\nJust wondering what members view points is/are on this.\nTNX for enlightening opinions and viewpoints.\nBBB

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Re: Converting Drum Brakes to Disk

Unread post by Acesneights » Sun Aug 10, 2014 9:20 pm

You bring up a very valid point. I am not sure of the answer.\nPlease discuss.\nEventually parts will become an issue and we will have to do something.\nAlot of people do disc brake conversions on hot rods, pickups tc but of course it's not an issue until something happens.\nWhenever a fatality is involved the lawyers coming crawling out from under their rocks.
1977 Travco 270 Elite\n1974 Travco 220 Parts unit

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Re: Converting Drum Brakes to Disk

Unread post by jeeprobb » Tue Aug 12, 2014 3:04 pm

Not sure about the legality issues, but I do have working theory on the rear disc conversion. I was talking to a friend of mine that has his own repair shop and he was telling me about his grandfather's '95 or '96 GM chassis motorhome that had rear discs and the five bolt pattern. He knew this because he had inspected it and put new tires on it a while back. The unit had a rear Dana 80 with discs and the five lug pattern. I work at a parts store and confirmed the five lug pattern but have not yet had the time to look into parts availability. My 270 has the Dana 70HD which uses the same hub bearings and the like as the Dana 80. The 70HD was the axle of choice until the 80 replaced it in mid to late 90's. The theory is that you could source the entire axle and swap out your 70HD or as in my case, I would like to strip mine down to the spindles and swap on all the 80 rear disc pieces. I recently changed my gears to 3:07's with my diesel swap so I would like to keep my 70HD. I think the main issue would be getting the caliper mounting brackets for the axle, but they may be available from the General. Any thoughts?
1973 Travco 270 "Aunt Fannie" My wife says I have a JEEP problem?

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