By Dustin Simpson
When was the last time you did a trailer brake inspection? During a recent wheel bearing service, we found that this customer’s brake shoes were worn down on three out of the four brakes. This also caused damage to the drums.
We also found that the roadside rear brake magnet wiring was cut in half and that the backing plate/shoe and drum were rusted. We found that all bearings were burnt and loose in bearing cages due to lack of lubrication.
Making sure that the brakes and suspension are in good working condition is key for any RV. With that said, a lot of braking and suspension systems go unchecked and can cause accidents and trailer fires. We want to make sure this is prevented so trips can be enjoyed with family and friends. Trailer brakes should be inspected at yearly intervals or more often depending on performance.
Our normal maintenance on trailer brakes consists of inspection, cleaning, and adjustment for proper function. During our inspection, we are also looking for worn shoe linings; inspecting the magnet arm for any loose or worn parts; checking the shoe return springs, mounting springs, and adjuster springs for deformation; as well as checking magnets for signs of uneven wear.
Other causes of brakes not working properly are:
• Poor connections
• Open circuit
• Insufficient wire size
• Broken wires hanging below the axle
• Improperly set up controller
• Internally shorted magnets
• Defective controller
• Brake wire shorted to ground somewhere in the system
• Corrosion between the ground wire and the brake wire in the electrical connector plug
Are you not sure if your brakes are working properly? Give us, or your local RV repair shop, a call and schedule an appointment! Check everything top to bottom to make sure you have a safe and fun trip.
Service description: Trailer brake inspection
SUSPENSION INSPECTION/BRAKE INSPECTION/WHEEL BEARING PACK SERVICE
Recommended every 12 months or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- Inspect brakes and bearings for wear or damage.
- Clean and repack wheel bearings and replace seals.
- Clean and adjust brake shoes and test operation.
- Adjust tire pressure and torque wheels to specs.
- Inspection of shackle links, springs, hangers, welds and wiring at axles.
- Price includes grease, seals, brake cleaner, shop supplies and waste charge.
See our website for service menu prices.
More from Dustin
Read more of Dustin’s articles here.
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RVDT2943
I always order brake inspection when ordering bearing repacks. I do both annually – roughly every 6,000 miles.
Thank you for the reminder of the importance of regular inspection and routine service, Dustin. It can become easy to just presume things are working and will continue to do so. Have a great day and safe travels!