Annual brake service

[Bruce and Jenna]

I've reached one year of travel with our 33RSE with factory installed disc brakes. I've towed about 5,000 miles in that time.

Dexter manual says service at one year. It doesn't distinguish annual service tasks between disc and drum brakes.

I call an RV place. He says he doesn't see a lot of trailers with disc brakes. But he figures to pull one wheel to inspect the pads and rotors, and look at the hydraulic lines.

Is that enough for an annual service? Is it simple enough for me to perform, if I find someone to show me how to pull a wheel (or four)? Or should I pay the $100 for piece of mind, assuming this service guy knows more than me.

[Bruce and Jenna]

I've reached one year of travel with our 33RSE with factory installed disc brakes. I've towed about 5,000 miles in that time.

Dexter manual says service at one year. It doesn't distinguish annual service tasks between disc and drum brakes.

I call an RV place. He says he doesn't see a lot of trailers with disc brakes. But he figures to pull one wheel to inspect the pads and rotors, and look at the hydraulic lines.

Is that enough for an annual service? Is it simple enough for me to perform, if I find someone to show me how to pull a wheel (or four)? Or should I pay the $100 for piece of mind, assuming this service guy knows more than me.

[rockintom]

Bruce,

I don't know on the Dexter disk brakes, but on my Kodiak disk brakes, I can visually see the pads and see the wear indicators made into the pad itself without removing anything.

Couple of things to remember is to check the brake fluid level and add only if low with DOT 3 brake fluid. Visually check lines for leaks. If you remove a wheel for any reason be sure to retorque 4 times after you reinstall wheel.

1. Intial torque
2. Recheck torque at 100 miles
3. Recheck torque at 500 miles
4. Recheck at 1000 miles.

Sounds like overkill, but my experience has shown that I can get more turn on the lug nuts after each of these intervals. After 1000 miles I haven't found the need to retorque again.

Better safe than sorry.

Oh BTW....save your pennies when you need to replace brake pads on a Dexter system....Hold on baby! We're talking big bucks!