Community Forums

W3WW · 08-26-2013, 02:41 PM

Hi Folks,

I have a question concerning a strange occurance the other day. I have a 2000 Dutch Star 3865 Freightliner Chassis with the 300hp 3126 Cat. I'm new to this motorhome as of June this year, second owner I think!!. I have done most of the required maintenance myself over the past month. 74K miles on the unit. After being parked for 3 weeks I got ready for a trip and it was locked up in my drive. Transmission (3060) shifted from R to D just fine Parking Brakes off etc but it just strained and would not go forward or back at all. Rechecked parking brakes ...air was at 120 lbs Brakes seemed to release but the unit would NOT budge. I even let it idle for 10 minutes to make sure it had plenty of air. The low air light was off and the guages said 120 -130 pounds on both sides. Could the brakes have locked up?? I finally applied a bit of power and !!!bang!!! it broke loose. Then everything was normal. I have never had anything like this happen before with this unit, or any other air brake unit... even after sitting for a longer period !!!!

Thanks for your help,

Don

oldcouple · 08-26-2013, 02:47 PM

On my Kountry Star DP the parking brake is attached to the driveline. I had a similar problem. It really depends on you air pressure. be sure it has built up to full pressure. Mine had lost a couple of mounting bolts as well, then being loose, had snapped the head off the remaining bolt. Then it cracked the steel bracket. Replacement cost was outrageous for this bracket so I removed it, and had it welded. Fifty bucks to be repaired, some new bolts and its better than original.

W3WW · 08-26-2013, 03:20 PM

Oldcouple,

Thanks for the reply. That makes sense as it sounded like a drivetrain snap when it broke loose. Now, where might I look for the damage I may have caused ?? I took it on a weekend trip up to central Florida River Ranch. That is a short 100 mile or so trip, spent the night, and everything seemed fine coming back.

I most likely will check this out and if any damage, fix it myself. As long as it's not too complicated.

oldcouple · 08-26-2013, 03:27 PM

Hope this works, bracket is #9 in the illustration. Unit is just forward of your transmission. If you ever have to tow the MH because it does not start, the 10 pin has to be pulled to release the brake. Please don't ask me how I know.

W3WW · 08-26-2013, 03:49 PM

It works, Thanks very much. I'll take a look and see what's going on.

Don

oldcouple · 08-26-2013, 03:52 PM

Oops, just noticed you said Freightliner chassis, this is for the Sparten.

Fred Cooper · 08-26-2013, 09:20 PM

What you experienced is fairly common with air brakes. The parking brake applied the shoes to the rear wheel brake drums. The brake shoes either had moisture in them, or absorbed moisture while sitting. When you released the parking brake, the air pressure overcame the spring applied pressure to the shoes, but the shoes had stuck to the brake drum. Usually, applying slight throttle pressure, first in reverse, then in drive, repeating as required will eventually break the shoes loose from the drum. Everything will still be in good condition. In extreme cases, some folks have had to tap on the brake drums with a hammer to help release the stuck shoes from the drum.

Fred

Mr_D · 08-26-2013, 09:30 PM

We had a 2000 DSDP 3865 on FL chassis, The brakes did exactly what you encountered. The rear brakes had "welded" themselves to the drums. Took some trying to "rock" it back and forth to break them loose. You do not have a parking brake on the driveshaft, the rear shoes do all the parking braking.

ChasA · 08-27-2013, 12:35 PM

Yeah, I've had it happen too. Freightliner manual says it can happen if you set the parking brake when the brakes are wet or hot. It says to chock the wheels instead. It also states to rock (fwd-rev-fwd) to break them loose if it happens. You do carry chocks don't you.