New Brakes

JBledsoe wrote:
with heavy duty bearings with all new brakes.

What constitutes a heavy duty bearing? Never heard of such bearings before.

.I have a 1990, 20 foot travel trailer with tandem axles. Last year I needed brakes, the factory didn't supply parts on one that old.
As per some one on this forum's suggestion, I had new axles installed with heavy duty bearings with all new brakes. Thanks to whoever suggested that, I couldn't be happier. I believe that's the only way to go.

E-Trailer. Just get the whole assemblies backing plate and all. Add new drums and bearings.

Another thumbs up for etrailer; I bought 4 complete assemblies and
replaced all four; I decided to solder/shrink-wrap the connections
at the same time; Worked great till I sold the TT;

My current TT has self-adjusting - so much better.....

Yep, Etrailer! Did my 07 with their self adjusting kit. Machines the drums and all was great. Just remember you will have to burnish the magnets before they even start providing any real braking. Took me about 10 miles of trailer brake only to get them burnished. After that you will be amazed at how well it stops!

I'm also a fan of the E-trailer brakes. I got the self-adjusting version.

The lining material on their shoes stops much better than the stock ALKO brake that came on mine.

Often there are amazon sellers selling the same items cheaper than ETrailer. Watched a few trailer brake repair Utube videos. It is very cost effective to change out the entire brake set, backing plate, drum, shoes vice just the shoes. Not a lot of time difference, either.

Consider converting to disks. You will not regret it.

My Dad has some brake issues on 2 yr old trailer.. he replaced controller (in truck) and all 4 brake/backing plate assemblies. He had the shop re use the drums and bearings, but the rest was all new. His problems were solved.

This was after having the brakes worked on and checked numerous times at dealer and other shops.

He just wanted to get back to camping and not fighting brake issues.

You probably can't upgrade to 12" brakes without replacing the entire axles. DO NOT use the Chinese bearings from E-trailer, use Timken. The bearings they sold me with the entire kit of Dexter drums and brakes were junk that failed immediately.

Self adjusting is not something that I want, it is a minor job to adjust brakes and the drums should be pulled regularly to inspect the brakes anyway.

Same length & weight TT as our Spree. Ours has 12" brakes and work great. I'd suggest upgrading to 12" if you have 10" now. I'd replace the bearings too.

BTW, while you're in there, inspect the plastic bushings. There's likely to be not much left of them. Maybe time to look in to Dexter equalizers and wet bolts. Also inspect the frame above the spring hangers for cracks. (The frames on the Spree's aren't all that strong.)

Oh what the heck, while you have it all apart, install a set of shocks, lol! You won't regret it. They transformed our Spree.