Community Forums

ModestMonk · 07-27-2018, 09:37 AM

Average service life for a set of brakes? I just checked the trucks, and they were only down 1 mm.

We’ve been up and down some ‘mountains’ here in the east. I have 7500 miles so far. As we start our trek out west I’d like to have a sense about how long the brakes might seem to last so I can check them before the back side of some Rocky Mountain.

egwilly · 07-27-2018, 04:24 PM

I always inspect every year at the start or end of camping season, grease the bearings the old "grease in palm" method as well. Replace the seals if any signs of leakage into the drum.

Mileage is subjective regarding the brakes. Lots of variables to consider. One thing I worry about is the self adjusters ORV installs. These tend to over tighten the brake shoes and they wear faster.

ModestMonk · 07-27-2018, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egwilly

I always inspect every year at the start or end of camping season, grease the bearings the old "grease in palm" method as well. Replace the seals if any signs of leakage into the drum.

Mileage is subjective regarding the brakes. Lots of variables to consider. One thing I worry about is the self adjusters ORV installs. These tend to over tighten the brake shoes and they wear faster.

I always..... but I don’t. Brand new leaving for the other 3/4 part of the trip, it’s sure to be at least 12K and I was looking to the list to say check them every......?

Highway 4x4 · 07-27-2018, 06:50 PM

I've been to the rally 5 times and my brakes are still just fine. I do have an exhaust brake on the diesel. Even on steep downhill don't hardly use the brakes.

NHRA225 · 07-27-2018, 06:57 PM

It's not so much the brakes shoes as it is Greasing the bearings at required intervals . Me on my Race Trailer --Same as your TT . I check - Grease the bearings every 5 K miles- at the same time I adjust the brakes-- Every 20 K miles I change the brakes out.

Cumminsfan · 07-28-2018, 10:55 AM

Just repacked my 5er brakes a month or so ago. This is our 6th season with the 5er. Brake shoes and drums were still good. I did however tow with a diesel and exhaust brake. Guessing that really cuts down on both the truck and 5er brake usage.
We do camp a fair amount and drive in the mtns a lot so the brakes are getting used more than just flat land towing.
Hard to really give a time line for brakes. depends on the tow vehicle and how and where one tows I suppose.

ModestMonk · 07-28-2018, 02:00 PM

Would the bearings need more attention on the TT than the wheel bearings on the TV? I only do my bearings when I redo brakes on the trucks. I had figured the same for the TT?

60sumtin · 07-28-2018, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModestMonk

Would the bearings need more attention on the TT than the wheel bearings on the TV? I only do my bearings when I redo brakes on the trucks. I had figured the same for the TT?

I don't think so. If the bearing were greased properly they'll be good for many thousand miles. If your maintenance routine works for you no point in making changes now.

Cumminsfan · 07-29-2018, 10:28 AM

New autos have sealed bearings normally good for the life of the vehicle ownership.
RV trailers have bearings that need repacked. Done properly they should not need repacking every year. I do mine every other year even though they don't need it. I do it that often so I can inspect the brakes.

ModestMonk · 08-01-2018, 10:52 AM

Well I serviced the bearings and inspected the brakes this morning.

Another gotcha moment from either ORV or Broadmore RV. The grease cap on one wheel was gone....missing in action...left in the the xtra parts bag at the factory or at Broadmoor. There is no way it could have fallen off and out of the wheel hub.

Highway 4x4 · 08-01-2018, 11:31 AM

Now that the inspection and service is done, did you find anything that makes you glad you did it other than the cap? bearings and brakes OK? Sometimes I think they put the every year bearing service there just knowing that most people won't do them every year and it gives them an "out" if there is an issue.

Superslif · 08-01-2018, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Would the bearings need more attention on the TT than the wheel bearings on the TV? I only do my bearings when I redo brakes on the trucks. I had figured the same for the TT?

Even with the never lube hubs, I still have the RV trailer's bearings re-packed every two years. My last two tt's were 7 and 6 years old. Brake shoes were never a issue. The last tt (2013 Aerolite) with a 14k Alaska trip and few 2-5k trips were just fine. On long descents I'll drop the TV's tranny down to 3rd to brush off some speed and to save the brakes / keep them cool.

Quote:

Another gotcha moment from either ORV or Broadmore RV. The grease cap on one wheel was gone....missing in action...left in the the xtra parts bag at the factory or at Broadmoor. There is no way it could have fallen off and out of the wheel hub.

Are you talking about the rubber (1") grease cap seal?

ModestMonk · 08-01-2018, 01:43 PM

It was the rubber seal and the metal cap....gone. Surprisingly there wasn’t much dust or water in the grease. The brakes were in good shape and the bearings also. I believe I could’ve given them a good squirt and had been done with it. However I needed to know what their status was. With 7500 miles on them they looked in great shape. The magnet and drum appeared to my untrained eye to be in good shape also.

Are there any minimum thicknesses with the magnets and shoes were it’s just plan time to preemptively change them?

Highway 4x4 · 08-01-2018, 03:09 PM

"Even with the never lube hubs, I still have the RV trailer's bearings re-packed every two years."
How do you have sealed cartridge bearings re-packed?

I am one of the ones that never use the "E Z Lube" zerk fitting. It's just too easy to lube the brake shoes with them.