Community Forums

noserider · 12-27-2016, 10:33 AM

I went out to the RV yesterday that is parked in a covered storage. I wanted to run the generator and go for a drive to keep things alive. When I started to back up in the parking spot and touched the brakes it made a really loud noise along with a little shudder. The humidity was really high and I suspected the drums were pretty wet. I slowly backed up and applied brakes several times during the process. Each time I got the same noise. Once I was outside the parking spot and rolling a bit faster and applied brakes it all quieted down. Out on the road there were no issues at all. I drove the coach for 30-45 minutes on the freeway and did some good braking when I was off the freeway and it was clear behind me to make sure the brakes got a workout. This is my first MH so I had never experience the loud sound the brakes can make when everything was wet. It was interesting and LOUD

.

photopilot · 12-27-2016, 11:03 AM

You may be in covered storage, but the brake drums or rotors may have rusted a bit and the sound was the pads breaking free. Once you drove a bit and cleaned the rust off, all was fine.

Walt

Podivin · 12-27-2016, 11:14 AM

Some surface rust, agreed.
That's a fairly common occurrence here in humid Florida, on any of our vehicles. The first few stops sound pretty bad, then it clears right up.

noserider · 12-27-2016, 11:55 AM

Thanks for the replies. I do get the occasional loud squeal (pretty loud) when the coach has sat for a bit but this almost sounded and felt like what happens when you drive your car though high waters and your wheels were submerged and then you try your brakes but times 5. It was really shuddery and loud. If my DW or Lab would have been with me they would have wanted out

.

slickest1 · 12-27-2016, 02:03 PM

Like said above there was most likely rust on the drums and when backing up the shoes will chatter more than when going ahead. After a few brake applications the drums clean up and all is fine. If your brakes a slightly out of adjustment they will chatter worse in reverse as well.

JBDISCOVERY · 12-27-2016, 02:18 PM

I agree with the posts regarding brake noises when the coach is first moved. Loud scraping noises are normal until the bakes warm up and the rust is cleared.
Adjusting brakes on a normal operating coach should be automatic if the coach is equipped with "SLACK ADJUSTORS".
RVs should have very long lived brakes due to the heavy construction of the brakes, use of an engine brake, and the light use of the coach.
My comments are for DP coaches.
JimB

Dutch Star Don · 12-27-2016, 03:09 PM

My 2005 Diplomat with drum brakes use to occasionally lock up due to rust in wet weather (parked outside). You had to rock it to get it to break loose.

slickest1 · 12-27-2016, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBDISCOVERY

I agree with the posts regarding brake noises when the coach is first moved. Loud scraping noises are normal until the bakes warm up and the rust is cleared.
Adjusting brakes on a normal operating coach should be automatic if the coach is equipped with "SLACK ADJUSTORS".
RVs should have very long lived brakes due to the heavy construction of the brakes, use of an engine brake, and the light use of the coach.
My comments are for DP coaches.
JimB

Unless a coach was pre 90's or there abouts they will have automatic slack adjusters. They sometimes will get a little out of adjustment. To remedy this you can release your park brake and make a full brake application and hold it for a couple seconds. Do this 5 or 6 times and that will cause your auto. slacks to re adjust. Periodically they should be checked by someone qualified to make sure they are still adjusting properly. This applies to coaches with drum brakes.