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busyguy · 09-15-2018, 01:00 PM

Have a Harney2000 on the Magnum chassis. The LF brake hung up and burnt the ABS sensor wire off at the caliper. Decided after 19 years with no brake problems I should get them checked out. Have had the brakes serviced as per the manual and they have always been good.
So I took the coach in to Applachee RV in Auburn Ga last week for evaluation.
They called and said all 4 brakes had indications of overheating and said the best thing to do would be to replace all calipers, disc and pads. Also the ABS sensor's.
The price for out the door is around $2,700. Think that is a little high but, No place close to me that will even look at them or attempt to repair.
These people are really nice and I think very honest. Their center has a lot of RV's in for repair and they were able to work me in for next week.
What do you all think? High or average for the work being done.
Busyguy

CountryB · 09-15-2018, 01:40 PM

I'm surprised you have disc brakes on 2000. I don't know that coach model, but it must be high end.
On the pricing, it sounds about right for the job you describe.

If you know what brakes re on your rig, you can get an idea on the cost of the parts here https://www.anythingtruck.com/catego...brake-air.html

Then add about 15% markup and then double it for the labor.

busyguy · 09-15-2018, 01:47 PM

Thanks CountryB
My coach was a high end for Harney which was owned by Safari. They were only made for 3-4 years. Has been a good coach for the last 86,000miles. Thanks for the info on the brakes

mrboyer · 09-15-2018, 02:10 PM

Our 1999 Harney on the same chassis had disk brakes. At about 75k miles had to replace disks and rotors on front.

docj · 09-15-2018, 02:22 PM

Our 2000 Beaver Patriot Thunder, which was also a Safari product on the Magnum-C chassis, has air-over hydraulic disk brakes that sound similar to what you have. Over the past couple of years we've replaced both front and rear calipers, pads and rotors for essentially the same reasons. The price you have been quoted seems fair, based on what we've paid.

I strongly suggest that you consider also replacing the brake line and hose that attaches to each caliper. We discovered that some of the brake overheating problems were being caused by the hose liner "collapsing" when hot and, therefore, the brakes were occasionally unable to release properly. Replacing the line and hose solved those problems and there wouldn't be all that much additional cost since all the brakes are being replaced anyway. There are two front brake lines and four rear ones (because of the ABS). Of course, with a vehicle of that age you will also want to fully flush and replace all the brake fluid.

Joel (AKA docj)

FIRE UP · 09-15-2018, 02:24 PM

Just kind-a wondering here,
If those coaches were/are "high end", didn't they come with any form of what's called Auxiliary braking? That is, did or do they have either an EXHAUST BRAKE or, a COMPRESSION BRAKE, like a "Jake" brake? If they did/do have either of those auxiliary braking systems, either one will or should have prolonged the service life of your service brakes. Our coach, an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the C-7 330HP CAT, now has 83,000 on it and the brakes to this date, have 5/8" - 11/16 thick brake shoes left on the fronts alone. The backs are even thicker.

I'm estimating an easy 150,000 miles before I'm gonna need brake work.
Scott

docj · 09-15-2018, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

Just kind-a wondering here,
If those coaches were/are "high end", didn't they come with any form of what's called Auxiliary braking? That is, did or do they have either an EXHAUST BRAKE or, a COMPRESSION BRAKE, like a "Jake" brake?

I can't speak for the OP's MH, but my C12 most definitely has a compression (Jake) brake which I use a lot and really appreciate when we're in the mountains as we were this summer!

However, the brake issues the OP is reporting and which I have also encountered have nothing to do with normal brake wear and tear. I'm sure my pads would have lasted for many more miles if the entire brake system hadn't overheated on a couple of occasions.

My coach is fitted with Bosch disk brakes that are related to those more commonly found, I believe, on the Workhorse chassis. There were some recalls on the calipers when the coaches were new, but even after the recall they are prone to overheating if not carefully maintained. Furthermore, as I mentioned in my response to the OP, aging of the brake hoses can create additional potential for overheating.

Every MH seems to have some things that owners wish had been done differently. The brakes on mine are one of the few subsystems that I feel fall into that category. But, it's a lot less expensive to repair the brakes than it is to trade in the MH. JMO

busyguy · 09-15-2018, 05:40 PM

Thanks for all the replies to my post. I had the front brake lines replaced 3 years ago. Did not have the rears done as was told they were in great shape. Have also had the brakes flushed and slides lubed every 2 years.
I think the reason for my problems is lack of use. The coach has sat in the back yard for the last 2 years and gets very little use as we don't travel much anymore due to wife's medical status.
We are headed for Abilene Tx in about a months so just making sure all is good for the trip. Break downs are bad. Breaking down on the interstate make's it worse.
Will have the rear lines checked when they start on the coach.
I do have a Pac-brake and use it all the time. The pads are still like new but am having them changed anyway as they are 19 years old.
Thanks
Busyguy

FIRE UP · 09-16-2018, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

I can't speak for the OP's MH, but my C12 most definitely has a compression (Jake) brake which I use a lot and really appreciate when we're in the mountains as we were this summer!

However, the brake issues the OP is reporting and which I have also encountered have nothing to do with normal brake wear and tear. I'm sure my pads would have lasted for many more miles if the entire brake system hadn't overheated on a couple of occasions.

My coach is fitted with Bosch disk brakes that are related to those more commonly found, I believe, on the Workhorse chassis. There were some recalls on the calipers when the coaches were new, but even after the recall they are prone to overheating if not carefully maintained. Furthermore, as I mentioned in my response to the OP, aging of the brake hoses can create additional potential for overheating.

Every MH seems to have some things that owners wish had been done differently. The brakes on mine are one of the few subsystems that I feel fall into that category. But, it's a lot less expensive to repair the brakes than it is to trade in the MH. JMO

Well,
This is where I goofed up. Apparently I didn't see that the OP had HYDRAULIC brakes. I just kind of assumed it was a totally air brake system. Sorry.
Scott

busyguy · 09-21-2018, 08:20 PM

for those interested.
Picked up my coach from Applachee RV repair in Auburn Ga. Wednesday afternoon and all is great with the brakes. Came in under the estimate at $2,200 everything new except the disc's. Think they turned them.
Anyway very happy with the job and glad to have the coach ready for the trip to Texas and back in Oct.
They did a great job, fair price and are super nice to deal with. They do everything there, paint,collision and just about anything you need done.
Busyguy