Keystone Avalanche Brakes

Question

I own a 2012 Avalanche RL290 by Keystone. I purchased this rig in Jan 2012 so it is out of warranty. Due to health problems, my wife and I were unable to use it until recently when we took it on a short trip. I noticed that applying the brakes did not do very much to slow the rig down. I could feel the brakes engage and I went to emergency stop on the Prodigy brake controller but the braking action was no better than just stepping on the pedal. I worked the brakes hard several times and finally pulled over to ckeck things out. I found that the brakes on the two front wheels were hot (as they should be) but the rear brakes were were not hot at all. I believe the brakes on the rear wheels are not hooked up. So my problem is that with no warranty, the dealer will charge me to connect the brakes properly. I guess I will object to that and contact Keystone and maybe a lawyer.

I wanted to check the wiring out myself but the wiring disappers into the cover that covers the bottom of the trailer. Does anyone have a recent Keystone that knows where the front wheel and rear wheel wires come together? I figure the problem is at that point since the front brakes work fine. I did test the rear brake wires with a circuit tester light and no power is getting to them.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

John in FL

swamp_man · Answer

John,I know very little about your trailer.  This is from my experience.  I had problems with the Arctic Fox 29-5T, and finally said, enough was enough.  I rewired the brakes from the backing plate to the connection where the wiring goes inside the body to the pin box.  Once I did this, all of the problems that I had with the brakes went away.  Later on I found that the brake wires had been spliced in several locations.  Only takes one to make things difficult or keep on set of brakes from working.  I would look under the underbelly of the unit where the wiring enters.  The splice for the rear brakes should be in that area.  I don't think that a dealer will get any cooperation from the manufacturer due to the time period.That said, try it.  Stranger things have happened.  Since you have not used the trailer, and have found a defect that is a very serious safety concern, then IMO the dealer/manufactuer should make it right.  Send emails, take a picture and you might want to get a digital infrared temperature device and get a picture of the temp of the front drums vs the rear.  Keep all calls recorded and keep all emails.  I would tell the dealer that since this is a safety issue, ask if there are any recalls on the trailer.Good luck and keep us informed of what happens.

rv7plt · Answer

I found the problem. The wire at the ledt rear brake drum had been cut and from looking at it I believe that it was cut with a knife. Disgruntled employee? Anyway, easy to splice together and  now works like it should.

albertr · Answer

I had a brake problem on my 2011 Keystone Avalanche when it was new. Found wire had never been connected at the drum

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