What not to do when your brakes act up.

[MyFirstRV]

We drove our 1994 Holiday Rambler from Oregon to Southern California, something we have done since we bought it three years ago. I have made so many repairs and upgrades to the old girl I figured what could possible go wrong. We made the trip down without so much as a hiccup and on Sunday November 26 we headed home. The first few hundred miles were as boring as ever, nothing worse than the Central Valley of California. As we entered the Siskiyou’s I began to notice the brake pedal was going a lot lower before the rig slowed down. On our next stop I looked it over but could not see anything wrong, so we continued on our way. The problem became more noticeable as we proceeded north and by the time we got to our exit the pedal was almost to the floor before we came to a complete stop. After arriving at home I did some research on the system and rechecked the brakes. I found a plastic switch on the backside of the master cylinder had broke off and all the brake fluid had leaked out of what was left of the switch. Needless to say, it was very fortunate it didn’t completely drain out prior to us getting home. I will replace the master cylinder and in the future check the fluid levels before each trip. Nothing like a close call to strengthen you pre-trip check list!

[wa8yxm]

Not on the RV but on my Towed.. Headed from Darien/Townsend GA to Brunswick (nearest Wal*Mart Vision store) to pick up my brand new glasses.. Jack *** pulled out in front of me .. Spiked the brakes, MISSED HIM (not by much) Fairly sure he needed clean undies.. (not my problem).

Got home and suddenly.. Mushy pedal same as you.. Said "OH C***P" called the mechanic 4 miles away.. Brake system warking light came on as I pulled into his drive.. Blew a wheel cylinder.

Still made the Cowboy CHurch intime to sing Paul Stokey's Christmas Dinner as the opening act for Trinity River Band.. JUST.

[MyFirstRV]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

Not on the RV but on my Towed.. Headed from Darien/Townsend GA to Brunswick (nearest Wal*Mart Vision store) to pick up my brand new glasses.. Jack *** pulled out in front of me .. Spiked the brakes, MISSED HIM (not by much) Fairly sure he needed clean undies.. (not my problem).

Got home and suddenly.. Mushy pedal same as you.. Said "OH C***P" called the mechanic 4 miles away.. Brake system warking light came on as I pulled into his drive.. Blew a wheel cylinder.

Still made the Cowboy CHurch intime to sing Paul Stokey's Christmas Dinner as the opening act for Trinity River Band.. JUST.

With us it was several miles of winding 6% grade and heavy rain, could have ended very badly. Sounds like you avoided a bullet as well. Thank God neither of us ended up on the five o’clock news.

[6x16inside]

91 HR Imperial here.....bought in Plano, TX and drove home to OKC. About a week later, went to head to the mechanic to start the work up of what she would be needing and the brake lines literally CRUMBLED between the guys fingers!!!
No grinding, pedal to floor, nothing the whole way home until the first stop up the road from my house heading to the mechanics.
Talk about by the grace of God, skin of my teeth or whatever!!

[MyFirstRV]

Originally Posted by 6x16inside

91 HR Imperial here.....bought in Plano, TX and drove home to OKC. About a week later, went to head to the mechanic to start the work up of what she would be needing and the brake lines literally CRUMBLED between the guys fingers!!!

No grinding, pedal to floor, nothing the whole way home until the first stop up the road from my house heading to the mechanics.

Talk about by the grace of God, skin of my teeth or whatever!!

My 94 HR has some rust under her as well, it wasn’t my brake lines that rusted thru but metal power steering lines near the front of the RV. I will have to check the brake lines next time I am under it.