Pays To Check Your Brakes Regularly
 

I have my trailer at J&R for servicing for the upcoming camping season. It is too cold and wet here to do it in my driveway. This is what they discovered when pulling the front wheel on the curb side to repack the bearings. It was a shock to them and a bigger shock to me. I have never seen this happen before. Make sure you check the wheels & hubs as a regular maintenance item.

Bob

Pretty exciting, Bob. Did you have any symptoms of a problem? Noise or binding, etc?

My brake problem that happened right after having the axle replaced was broken springs that dropped a chunk of metal into the drum. It made a sort of rattling noise and caused the brake to bind up when backing the trailer. Worked fine going forward though.

I was up in Utah when this happened (at Arches National Monument) and we drove the trailer from there to Bryce Canyon, Zion and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, before getting it home and discovering the problem.

I learned a lesson there. Noise in the axle deserves a teardown.

- Jack

This discussion brings to mind a question that I have. Does your state require annual safety inspections for trailers? Pennsylvania requires all trailers over 3000 lb GVW to be inspected. Annual inspections will bring out brake and suspension problems, tire wear and condition also.

Jack, there were no warning signs, noises, or anything. The trailer braked true with no binding, locking up, or anything. Definately a wake up call and attention getter.

Rich, as far as I know, Ohio does not require inspections of rv trailers, yet. Just take your registration and proof of insurance in to any state license bureau and get your license sticker.

It definately pays to have a routine maintenance schedule. You never know what might show up. Like my wife says, I know a little about everything and a lot about nothing!:D She is glad we took it to J&R. At least we will be ready and safe for the upcoming camping season and the national rally in MN in June.

Bob

State inspection
 

NYS state requires a yearly inspection. We have an apt March 23rd. at Mantelli trailer sales. Many times a trained set of eyes has caught something that needs attention. Wouldn't dream of not taking it infor an anual checkup. Take it in before the busy season and get a small discount on off season work. We would take it in even if we weren't required by law to do this. Went to motor vehicle and got it registered yesterday. Along these lines we always take our tow vehicle in for a lookover before towing season. No guarantees something won't break down. Good preventive maintenance/peace of mind. Pay now or pay later.

No mechanical inspection for any road vehicle required in Arizona. But, Phoenix and Tucson want your exhaust to smell nice. :rolleyes:

- Jack

Bob; Did The guys at J&R give you any idea what may have caused the drum to separate?

Jim, I didn't think to ask. Rob emailed the pics to show me. I will definately ask for their opinion either by email or when I pick my trailer up. I will post their answer. I bought the trailer new in 2001. There has been a lot of miles put on it. Maybe like me, old age!?!:D

Bob

When I took my wheels off last year for a repack I found that the brakes had never been hooked up. Thus I had new brake pads and drums.
I had purchased the 1985 the winter of 2011.

When ever I have a drum off, I lightly tap the brake drum with a hammer listening for clank and preferring a ring.

A crack will produce a flat clanking sound, and a good drum will have a ring!

Good to find that when up in the air and not needed for stopping.

I think that would qualify as a manufactures defect! No amount of time and normal use should have created that problem.

steve

Bob, just wondering how much time/miles between last time they were looked at until this was found?

Everything was checked & serviced at the start of the camping season in April last year. Probably put 6000 + miles on it during the season. Couple of trips to Boston area, trip to SC, TN rally, plus my regular monthly club campouts and monthly family campouts. I guarantee that you will find no moss or grass growing under my trailer. Being retired has its advantages.:D It was in storage from Nov until late Feb until I took it down to J&R in Butler.

Bob

Thanks for the post. I was going to wait until after my first camping trip this spring to re-pack etc once the weather around here got nicer and snow was melted and pavement dry. But....after seeing that I went down this morning to where I have it stored and asked what they wanted to re-pack and check over my breaks in their garage. Pricey- but I will probably have them do it before I hit the road.

Rick

JimL,

I talked to Rob & Jim about my brake drum. Said it was the first time they had seen this type problem. Only answer they could come up with was possibly a manufacturing defect. No harm, no foul. The trailer is a 2001. Too much water has gone under the bridge for me to go back on the mfg. It will make a cool wall hanging on my garage wall.:D

Bob

I took the 2310H in to get it inspected and found out that only the front axle brakes were working. There was a poor connection from the main wire to the wire feeding both brakes. That's why I think mandatory annual safety inspections are a good idea.

I agree with you Rich. I am all about safety on the road. The life you save may be your own.

Bob