We have a 2011 Carriage Cameo 37cksls. We bought it new and just love the rig. We've replaced tires (to G range), now just replaced to H rated tires and wheels. Unfortunately, we have never been happy with the braking capacity. Now I have 1 wheel locked up and 3 that flow freely with or without brake application. I can't even get the spinning 3 to engage when I pull the emergency rip cord. Clearly this won't pass inspection and I don't want to run this kind of risk going down the road.So, I've seen discussion of 8000lb axle upgrades, disk brake upgrades etc, and I'm happy to do whatever is most reasonable. However, I just dropped a ton of cash on the 2015 f350 and the new tires/wheels (partially sponsored by a Goodyear due to blow out of G614s) so I would like to be frugal, but effective. Any advice?Thanks so much!Tom

Step #1 is to figure out what is wrong with the current brakes. Fixing is usually cheaper than replacing. If the fix exceeds 50% of replacement cost, then you consider replacement.

The most frugal option would be to figure out why your existing brakes do not work. When you perform a test with the manual brake lever one brake locks up? Does the entire rig slow down when you perform this test? Have you adjusted the pad and confirmed no grease contaminants on the braking surfaces. Many options to troubleshoot before slapping on different axles.

You can upgrade all you want. But basic maintenance and brake adjustments will go a long way for a lot less money. If you have factory installed brakes, do you realize that they have to be adjusted every 3000 miles?

Disc brake conversion will set you back around two grand plus labor. It is a wise investment. I seriously doubt you need to upgrade axles. There is a fella on here that sells a complete kit for 7K axles pretty reasonable.

If it is an elecrical problem, new brakes might not fix it. Troubleshoot the existing brakes first.

Never really happy wtih barkes | Good Sam Community

rjsurfer
Explorer
May 08, 2015
I installed a set off self adjusting brake assemblies from Etrailer a year or two ago and yes you can make them looser even with that tab covering the star wheel.

When loosening occasionally the tab will move the star wheel back a click or two but not enough to prevent brakes from releasing.

Ron W.
45Ricochet
Explorer
May 07, 2015
The way I understand auto adjust electric brakes is you can manual adjust which you have to do when installing. ( you can also spin the tire backwards a bunch of times) But if you adjust them to tight you can't back them out without the little screwdriver to relieve the wire from the auto adjustment device. Almost impossible without removing the wheel IMO.
momentum_rv
Explorer
May 07, 2015
Thanks Jim, yes they are very good to work with. (JCR GD)

I need to check them out anyway just cuz that's what I do! (I like to know my equipment inside and out... ya never know when it will save yer butt... or at least a trip) ;-)
TucsonJim
Explorer II
May 07, 2015
momentum rv wrote:
Now I'm really confused. I was led to believe the drum brakes from LCI on my GD Momentum were "automatic adjust."

In looking at the "LCI Towable RV Master Manual rev 100313" it clearly states (on page 60) "Lippert Components, Inc. Electric Brakes are automatic adjust only." Then goes on to tell you how to adjust them manually if needed...?? Hmmm Then later says "NOTE: A second screwdriver will be needed to push the auto adjusting lever away from the adjuster wheel so that the starwheel can be rotated backwards."

I guess I'm going to have to pull a wheel/brake drum off and see if they are in fact auto adjust or not.

You can confirm this by calling Grand Design's customer service number at 574-825-9679. They are very well informed, and great folks to talk to. If possible, have your VIN number when you call them to expedite the call.
BurbMan
Explorer II
May 07, 2015
Jerry B wrote:
My Mobile Suites came with Dexter axles with self adjusting brakes.

To clarify, 90% of towable RVs do not have self adjusting brakes...some of the premium brands, like your Mobile Suites Jerry, do use better quality running gear like this.

For the OP, you'll have to check your paperwork from the last brake install to see if they gave you self-adjusting or not.
mich800
Explorer
May 07, 2015
momentum rv wrote:
mich800 wrote:
momentum rv wrote:
Now I'm really confused. I was led to believe the drum brakes from LCI on my GD Momentum were "automatic adjust."

In looking at the "LCI Towable RV Master Manual rev 100313" it clearly states (on page 60) "Lippert Components, Inc. Electric Brakes are automatic adjust only." Then goes on to tell you how to adjust them manually if needed...?? Hmmm Then later says "NOTE: A second screwdriver will be needed to push the auto adjusting lever away from the adjuster wheel so that the starwheel can be rotated backwards."

I guess I'm going to have to pull a wheel/brake drum off and see if they are in fact auto adjust or not.

As far as I know all the automatic adjusting brakes can still be adjusted manually. Just like on our older vehicles with drum brakes. We still had to do the initial adjustment of the pads after replacement to speed up the automatic process.

I'm sure that is correct... but seems funny that they say "automatic adjust only" poor wording...

It seems like more technical writing and manuals are being outsourced. Maybe a lost in translation issue. But like you said maybe just a poorly thought out sentence.
momentum_rv
Explorer
May 07, 2015
mich800 wrote:
momentum rv wrote:
Now I'm really confused. I was led to believe the drum brakes from LCI on my GD Momentum were "automatic adjust."

In looking at the "LCI Towable RV Master Manual rev 100313" it clearly states (on page 60) "Lippert Components, Inc. Electric Brakes are automatic adjust only." Then goes on to tell you how to adjust them manually if needed...?? Hmmm Then later says "NOTE: A second screwdriver will be needed to push the auto adjusting lever away from the adjuster wheel so that the starwheel can be rotated backwards."

I guess I'm going to have to pull a wheel/brake drum off and see if they are in fact auto adjust or not.

As far as I know all the automatic adjusting brakes can still be adjusted manually. Just like on our older vehicles with drum brakes. We still had to do the initial adjustment of the pads after replacement to speed up the automatic process.

I'm sure that is correct... but seems funny that they say "automatic adjust only" poor wording...
mich800
Explorer
May 07, 2015
momentum rv wrote:
Now I'm really confused. I was led to believe the drum brakes from LCI on my GD Momentum were "automatic adjust."

In looking at the "LCI Towable RV Master Manual rev 100313" it clearly states (on page 60) "Lippert Components, Inc. Electric Brakes are automatic adjust only." Then goes on to tell you how to adjust them manually if needed...?? Hmmm Then later says "NOTE: A second screwdriver will be needed to push the auto adjusting lever away from the adjuster wheel so that the starwheel can be rotated backwards."

I guess I'm going to have to pull a wheel/brake drum off and see if they are in fact auto adjust or not.

As far as I know all the automatic adjusting brakes can still be adjusted manually. Just like on our older vehicles with drum brakes. We still had to do the initial adjustment of the pads after replacement to speed up the automatic process.
Rvpapa
Explorer
May 07, 2015
Since you said that upgrade was partially financed by Goodyear after having a blowout, the first thing to look for is damaged wires for the non-working brakes.
Art.
momentum_rv
Explorer
May 07, 2015
Now I'm really confused. I was led to believe the drum brakes from LCI on my GD Momentum were "automatic adjust."

In looking at the "LCI Towable RV Master Manual rev 100313" it clearly states (on page 60) "Lippert Components, Inc. Electric Brakes are automatic adjust only." Then goes on to tell you how to adjust them manually if needed...?? Hmmm Then later says "NOTE: A second screwdriver will be needed to push the auto adjusting lever away from the adjuster wheel so that the starwheel can be rotated backwards."

I guess I'm going to have to pull a wheel/brake drum off and see if they are in fact auto adjust or not.