ROR used to be good with the earlier tm axle with bolt on hub cap (6 bolts) then they went to I think the LM with bolt on hub cap (5 bolts) not so good and the camshaft bearings were poor especially the pressed tin/spherical type drum end, I remember LM bearing only having so much adjustment then they were shot.
ROR drums wore very quickly.
Years ago we used to have milk tankers with ROR drums and they had to be relined every 8 week inspection as they used them so much on collection work.
SAF have always been hassle and expensive, hub bearings always seemed to stick themselves to the stub axle, SK9042 used to be the worst, huge hub nut and torque was super critical.
Iirc both SAF and BPW have a 500k warranty on their hubs/bearings.
davidjohn:
Wondering if any one knows/noticed the difference between the type axles:
BPW/ROR
I run one BPW and few of ROR drums and discs and one SAF with my experience based on the trucking of African continent.
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BPW drum seems to hold air nicely on the air tank, shoe last long 2 to 3 times longer than ROR, also it hasn’t got bearing issues compared to saf and ROR.
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Saf disc good when its good but major issue I have notices is the bearing gets overheat so quick and resulting more damage, parts are hard to get hold of and expensive.
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Ror drums parts every where but a lot of issues with the braking system infact every thing to do with brake at the axle seems to get eaten so quick but still better than SAF in a long run.
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Ror disc can’t comment much as I only being using it for the last 7 month with a truck has a retarder but on previous experience it was bad.
Now this is completely different operation compare to UK logistics where in uk almost every thing is in to the international standard over there we deal with plenty of Dust, heavy load 55 Ton gross weight, a lot of downhill and uphill, bad road condition some klm along the route also it is very rare to drive 30 minutes before you press a brake atleast last and finaly cheap quality spare parts chines made infact people are preferring to buy used genuine part.
In your country/position if parts price and availability is ok I would go BPW drum where possible if not good though I would stick with ROR drums. Discs would give you better performance in hilly terrain but depends how much of a priority that is.
SAF have always been the priciest on parts but they tend to be the only option, or preferred option, in a lot of niche applications. They also in this country tend to be the make fitters are least familiar with maintaining.
Macker1999:
If the op is going to be using the one trailer all the time, discs the best way in my experience.
I have had problems with seized calipers with lack of use / zero wear due to VEB / Retarder.This now doesn’t happen as at service, wind auto adjustment off then pump brakes to readjust/check operation as per Knorr Bremse.
After 4 year’s / 44 t bulk use, original pads on my Kelberg with small discs fell apart [emoji849].
Sorry to disagree with other chap but by design drum brakes will fade way before discs due to greater cooling surface area and ventilation.
Also trailer manufacturers don’t mind what axle and brake choices are made , they just charge pro rata.
Schmitz may be different because they produce their own axle, but ( tippers )they will supply as per customer preference.
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Bulker trailer manufacture is pretty small and bespoke and they won’t be buying huge volumes of axles. Last time I was at Gray&Adams in Fraserburgh they had nothing in their yard but drum axles.