check and double check
In the last 2 1/2 years, the DW and I have towed our used Dutchmen over 21,000 miles.
Coming home from our most recent trip of two months and 8500 miles, I had the feeling that the braking was not as it should be. Since we had driven the Rockies and the desert I did not think there could be too much wrong. Well when I got home,I discovered that 3 of the 4 TT brakes did not work. :E
Further investigation I found three broken wires and a bad magnet.
It is hard to believe this all happened on this trip but I will not belabor the point. Prior to leaving I had the bearings packed the technician said the brakes "looked good". Well they may have looked good with plenty of shoe left there is no way to know if they were working or not.
I needed the TT for another trip so I did the clean up, repaired and adjustment myself. It had been a long long time since I worked on drum brakes. ;)
I intend to replace the entire brake assembly and drums before another major trip. It will be far easier.
Now after pulling and cleaning the drums and magnets plus rewiring, I have questions.
* Is it normal for the magnets and drums to be deeply scored after 20,000 + miles?
* How often do you have to tighten the drum brakes. I have heard every 3000 and others say 5000 miles.
The point learned is check and double check the service done on your TT or do it yourself if you can. Your assumption of what was done may be wrong.
Coming home from our most recent trip of two months and 8500 miles, I had the feeling that the braking was not as it should be. Since we had driven the Rockies and the desert I did not think there could be too much wrong. Well when I got home,I discovered that 3 of the 4 TT brakes did not work. :E
Further investigation I found three broken wires and a bad magnet.
It is hard to believe this all happened on this trip but I will not belabor the point. Prior to leaving I had the bearings packed the technician said the brakes "looked good". Well they may have looked good with plenty of shoe left there is no way to know if they were working or not.
I needed the TT for another trip so I did the clean up, repaired and adjustment myself. It had been a long long time since I worked on drum brakes. ;)
I intend to replace the entire brake assembly and drums before another major trip. It will be far easier.
Now after pulling and cleaning the drums and magnets plus rewiring, I have questions.
* Is it normal for the magnets and drums to be deeply scored after 20,000 + miles?
* How often do you have to tighten the drum brakes. I have heard every 3000 and others say 5000 miles.
The point learned is check and double check the service done on your TT or do it yourself if you can. Your assumption of what was done may be wrong.
