Sadly , my 2012 Coachmen Apex 18bh has a vibration when I apply the brakes. The dealer told me that this was normal. Being new at travel trailers I took them for their word and brought the camper home (740+ miles away). Why did I do that? :h (I know why, just can't admit it.) We’ve only been on two camping trips and on our last camping trip we were going down some good grades and hitting the brakes did not make me feel comfortable. The camper is stopping and I can feel the brakes pulling to slow down, but the vibration and tugging (tug-release-tug-release, etc..) on my truck right before stopping drives me nuts. I have a feeling that maybe the drums are out of round. I've also read that the drums could get warped if the wheels are improperly over torqued during installation.I do not want to drive 740+ miles back to the dealer and have to drop of my camper for repairs. I've called the dealer a few times but it has gone nowhere. I am going to try one more time and force the topic. My dealer has not asked me to bring my camper in, but if they do I would rather prefer to take my camper to a local shop and have them look at it and possibly repair it. Driving that 740+ miles is a major inconvenience and a major cost. Worse case, if I can’ t get anyone to fix it for free what is the going rate to have the drums replaced? At least its only two wheels and not four.Hopefully I can get this issue resolved and its covered under warranty and I'm praying my dealer works with me. I was wondering what others thought.

Your brakes and axles are covered by the mfgr. of them, like Dexter or Alko. Look in your warranty packet. They will send you to a local shop.

I had similar situations, After a re-read the lit, and watching the video that came with my brake unit. It indicated that I should readjust the pressure in numbers minus. I had too much pressure to the trailer. 5.0 and now am running about 1.9-3.0 which cut out my vibration and shuddering . You might try to cut back on the regulator for the trailer. Just an idea.Chuck

I've tried adjusting my brake controller until I'm blue. It doesn't matter what its set to.

What kind of controller do you have? That could also be your problem. And no it is not normal for it to tug, shudder, vibrate. Typical dealer answer.

If you have a Voyager brake controller, I'll bet that is the problem. I threw mine in the garbage after our first big trip. My Prodigy works great.

Brake vibration / tugging | Good Sam Community

docnascar
Explorer
Nov 22, 2012
I have the Hayes 81760 brake controller. I did not install it, the dealer did.

I don't get any error codes.

The directions say for:
Intermittent or surging brakes - improperly grounded, out of round brake drums, worn wheel bearings.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Nov 22, 2012
docnascar wrote:
I have the Hayes 81760 brake controller...

That is a time based controller.

You said that it jerks when you are almost stopped. If it was a problem with the brakes it would jerk all the time.

Lighten the setting on the controller and learn to keep your foot on the brake. Odds are you are unknowingly releasing and engaging the brakes over and over when you are almost stopped.

To test the theory use the manual slide and do not step on the TV brakes. Does it still jerk?
Almot
Explorer III
Nov 22, 2012
Those don't show any "error code". Only the braking power (in some mysterious units of measure).
docnascar
Explorer
Nov 23, 2012
beemerphile1 wrote:
docnascar wrote:
I have the Hayes 81760 brake controller...

That is a time based controller.

You said that it jerks when you are almost stopped. If it was a problem with the brakes it would jerk all the time.

Lighten the setting on the controller and learn to keep your foot on the brake. Odds are you are unknowingly releasing and engaging the brakes over and over when you are almost stopped.

To test the theory use the manual slide and do not step on the TV brakes. Does it still jerk?

Lightening the settings makes no difference. Also, I have paid very close attention to not letting up on the brakes and reapplying so I get what you are saying but I get the same results.

Using just the manual slide to stop the entire rig I haven't really done at speed or distance. I have only used it to check the brakes are working and can bring the rig to a stop; and basically there was no distance to travel so I didn't pay attention to or realize any vibration/tugging.

Thanks for the idea. I can try the slide only again with more speed and some distance to stop. Trying this may take some time as my neighborhood is getting new gas mains and traveling with a TT and truck through my neighborhood will be tricky and/or impossible at times. You have me thinking though...

Does using the slide disable the timing feature?

What are the conclusions if:
Using the slide there is still tugging, what does this tell me? (guessing mechanical issue??)
Using the slide there is no tugging, what does this tell me? (guessing controller issue??)
beemerphile1
Explorer
Nov 23, 2012
docnascar wrote:

...Does using the slide disable the timing feature?

What are the conclusions if:
Using the slide there is still tugging, what does this tell me? (guessing mechanical issue??)
Using the slide there is no tugging, what does this tell me? (guessing controller issue??)

Correct, the timer isn't working when using the slide.

You are likely correct on your hypothesis, although other than controller or mechanical there is also the possibility of an electrical issue between the controller and brake units.
Almot
Explorer III
Nov 23, 2012
If it's made same way as the one I've seen, operating the slide doesn't activate the trailer brakes. It only changes the max breaking power. To apply the brakes by hand, you need to push that big red "panic button" - and then, yes, the timing will be disabled and all the braking force will be applied instantly. Your controller instructions probably will tell about this, timed controllers are not all created equal.
docnascar
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
Ending up replace my brake controller (went to a P2) and checked the wiring. Still have the same issue. I guess I need to get a dealer to check this out. I'm still suspecting the drums are warped. Don't see how that can be a new a camper but I guess anything is possible.
docnascar
Explorer
Oct 01, 2013
I took the camper in for service and I believe this issue has been resolved. I wanted to post an update.

The shop mic'd out the drums and they were fine. After working with Lipert (which they said was a nightmare) they had to replace the electronics in the brakes. (They may have just replaced the entire assembly) The exact issue was unknown, but all seems well now.

Luckily it was covered under warranty.

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