Community Forums

Randy the sly old fox · 08-05-2018, 11:40 AM

Mods did not like Read The Fine Manual abbreviation.

My point was about liability of the brakes and how neither the mfg or dealer wants to be the last person to touch them as they now become responsible and liable for that adjustment. Dexter gets away with it because they tell the end user how to adjust the brakes for the first time.

I know that Northwood Mfg. does not do anything to the axles or brakes - they just install them on the chassis and attach wires. If there is an issue during warranty - they replace it and deal with Dexter. So any over/under lube issues were done at the Dexter Factory.

Highway 4x4 · 08-05-2018, 01:20 PM

Stand next to the trailer brakes and have someone hit the brakes in the truck. You should hear some noise in the trailer brake drums. Clicking or something.

keymastr · 08-05-2018, 02:34 PM

The new proportional controllers in late model trucks will produce very light braking when just applying the manual slider. You should detect some increased drag but not the wheel lockup that older controllers produced.

In my dealings with ORV they have been very proactive concerning safety items. If given the chance they would replace the brakes and let Dexter figure out what the issue was but with your dealer being 2 hours away I gather you have not gone that route.

egwilly · 08-05-2018, 02:41 PM

Please do yourself a favor and do this:

1. Please stop cutting the wires! No need for this.

2. Hook the trailer pigtail to your tow vehicle and pull the E-stop cable. If you have a battery onboard with the disconnect on, you won't have to hook it up to the TV.....With the wheels off the ground, you should not be able to turn them by hand. If you can't, the brakes are working as designed. Test every wheel. You may hear the magnet humming. The E-brake gets its voltage from the RV battery.

If you can turn them, then they're way out of adjustment, or they are not receiving the 12V thru the pigtail connection. More troubleshooting is required at this point.

As a point of reference, if I manually use the slider in my F350 at less than 20 MPH, the trailer brakes will jolt my truck and lock them up. At highway speed, you can definitely feel a large drag from the trailer. In a panic stop, this is what you want.

I would eliminate all of this before driving 2+ hours to be told "ya, we can get to it in about a month or so".

Please update us with your findings.

Highway 4x4 · 08-05-2018, 03:56 PM

Good advice ^^^^^

LeisurePursuits · 08-13-2018, 03:58 PM

It turns out that the inner seal was not pressed in fully and it failed on all four wheels. All the brakes were full of axle grease. I have had a repair shop replace everything and I am opening a case with Dexter to get reimbursed.

egwilly · 08-13-2018, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeisurePursuits

It turns out that the inner seal was not pressed in fully and it failed on all four wheels. All the brakes were full of axle grease. I have had a repair shop replace everything and I am opening a case with Dexter to get reimbursed.

Thanks for the update....ya, this does happen from time to time.

keymastr · 08-13-2018, 04:50 PM

Wow, all four wheels is unusual alright.Must have been a rookie on Dexters line that day.

Cumminsfan · 08-13-2018, 10:53 PM

It actually happens all the time. Lippert was the 1st culprit, now Dexter's showing up.
It's been going on for a long time actually. Over on the Grand Design Owners forum there's a thread about Lippert blowing seals.
https://www.granddesignowners.com/fo...ase-seals-fail
Doesn't matter what brand RV either.

Blazing zipp · 08-14-2018, 07:33 AM

We also had the old "greased brakes" syndrome a few years ago. Our unit was a used one with those Bearing Buddy type zerks that had been pumped full and popped the seals. Brakes? What brakes..
Glad the OP has a handle on the problem. I hope he's out and about real soon.