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evanrem's avatar
evanrem
Explorer II
Mar 20, 2016

Checking brakes on travel trailer surprised what I found

Just an fyi for folks who don't service or check brakes on the travel trailer. My trailer is going on it 5th year and we are weekend warriors and get out about 45 days a year in it. I thought I would give the wheels bearings and brakes a check since it has not been done since I bought it. I know they say yearly but I'm sure I'm not the only one. I only had time to do the right side and one was missing the clip that holds the magnet in place, it was still braking but not sure what kind of problems the missing clip caused. The other wheel, one of the wires to the magnet broke so that brake was not working at all. From the looks of the magnet and pads it looks like it was broke for a while. Plus the rear seal was damaged and a bunch of grease was in there. So I need to gather all parts I need to repair that. Curious to see what the other side looks like. Just a reminder if yours have not been checked in a while might want to look into it.

10 Replies

  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2016
    Chuck the Hammer wrote:
    ...being a retired auto mechanic.. I trust no one...

    Sad, but so very true. I'm still doing all of my vehicle maintenance and repair. In a few years, I'll need to find a shop and mechanic I can trust. There is a small independent shop I have my eye on.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2016
    Had my bearing repacked last November, brakes checked also. First time since we purchased it (2 years earlier). All was good, done just in time before our Florida trip over Christmas.
  • Chuck_thehammer's avatar
    Chuck_thehammer
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2016
    Check every year. BECAUSE

    last summer I purchased a used trailer from a dealer.... before delivery I asked the brakes and bearing be checked and or serviced... 2 different people said they were serviced..

    being a retired auto mechanic.. I trust no one ... I pulled the wheels/brake drums.. 3 of the 4 brakes were destroyed.... only 1 was working.

    retuned trailer...with photos... got all new brakes and installed... Free.. and a New battery.
  • cbshoestring's avatar
    cbshoestring
    Explorer II
    Mar 20, 2016
    Pennsylvania requires mine to be checked every year (no 5 year lapse of good sense for me). They don't even trust me to do it...a "certified" trailer inspector person must do it.

    Really :h Five years, and not even a single check to make sure the bearings had a bit of grease in/on them??????

    Did you atleast "test" the brakes by using the little knobby thing on the brake controller once a year or so :@

    Sorry...snarky, borderline troll.
  • evanrem's avatar
    evanrem
    Explorer II
    Mar 20, 2016
    Turtle n Peeps wrote:
    Didn't your brake controller tell you the brake with the broken wire had an open? When one of my trailer wires broke I instantly knew it because of the controller. :h

    it did not. I use the factory controller that came with my Silverado.
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2016
    Didn't your brake controller tell you the brake with the broken wire had an open? When one of my trailer wires broke I instantly knew it because of the controller. :h
  • bluwtr49's avatar
    bluwtr49
    Explorer II
    Mar 20, 2016
    Nice he found his problem but the info isn't of much value on the MH forum...don't know of any with electric brakes.
  • phillyg's avatar
    phillyg
    Explorer II
    Mar 20, 2016
    I suspect all four brakes and parts will have been affected over the five-year period. I've found it easier, and not really all that more expensive, to order complete assemblies, plus your bearings and races. I've gotten good service and prices from e-trailer.com
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Mar 20, 2016
    You might ask a moderator to move this from class A to travel trailer forum.

    Before each season I jack up one wheel slightly off the ground, pull the emergency breakaway cable, spin that wheel, and make sure it locks up. If good, I put the cable back and repeat with the other three. If all good, then great. If one does not lock up, then I find out why and further check the others.

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