PSA: Brakes & Suspension Life

[SailorGuy]

When leaving ORV Quartzsite Meet Up (LOTS of fun) I had minimal trailer braking with my 2015 20FQ. Took trailer to specialist trailer repair company. They showed me the brake drums and magnets were scored. They were at end of life and needed to be replaced.

They also showed me that the suspension was loose. Shackle bolt holes were inlongated and bushings worn. Needed replacement.

We have been pretty much full timing since January 2021 and have put 30k+ miles on trailer. Had bearings repacked twice (every 10k miles). (I was going to have bearings done right after Meet Up).

Did some internet research and learned 20k to 40k was life of brakes and stock spring shackles. (I know don’t trust what you read on the internet).

Having brake assemblies replaced and shackled/springs replaced.

Just wanted to alert fellow ORVers to check their brakes and suspension more often than I did.

[Vintage465]

Originally Posted by SailorGuy

When leaving ORV Quartzsite Meet Up (LOTS of fun) I had minimal trailer braking with my 2015 20FQ. Took trailer to specialist trailer repair company. They showed me the brake drums and magnets were scored. They were at end of life and needed to be replaced.

They also showed me that the suspension was loose. Shackle bolt holes were inlongated and bushings worn. Needed replacement.

We have been pretty much full timing since January 2021 and have put 30k+ miles on trailer. Had bearings repacked twice (every 10k miles). (I was going to have bearings done right after Meet Up).

Did some internet research and learned 20k to 40k was life of brakes and stock spring shackles. (I know don’t trust what you read on the internet).

Having brake assemblies replaced and shackled/springs replaced.

Just wanted to alert fellow ORVers to check their brakes and suspension more often than I did.

That's good info for the group. All of us need to realize that the suspension system is no different than the tires.....they wear with age and mileage and need to be replaced occasionally.....like tires. Brakes are the same way. I'm really supportive of bronze bushings, grease-able wet bolts and the bullet proof shackes.

[Bigfin]

Good post!
RV's are like the roof on one's house: most folks don't pay much attention until it leaks. Checking the brakes/suspension should be a once a year program and the only way (IMHO) to do that correctly is to put the trailer on jack stands, pull the brake drums and plan on repacking the bearings. Next year I plan on new brake assemblies/drums, etc. Did wet bolt upgrade to suspension last year. Cheers!...

[WNDOPDLR]

Curious as to whether your trailer had wet bolts and what your grease schedule was. Seems like wet bolts should last considerably longer...Moreride says 100K, but I think that is pretty optimistic.

[SailorGuy]

My 2015 20FQ did NOT come with wet bolts, just standard suspension. No grease fittings.

I don’t know when ORV started using the MORryde wet bolt system.