When to replace brakes?

[blackflamevt]

What are the indicators that i should replace my brake assembly? trailer is a 1550
Thanks
Steve in Ct

[JohnB]

Hi Steve,

Do not know if yours are Dexter or Alko,

See here for the Dexter's brake manual, look on page 16

http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/6149609/f/...rakes_6-11.pdf

Alko's see here page 15
For Alko see here page 15
http://al-kousa.com/pdf/ALKO_2kto7k_OM.pdf


Dexter and Alko both state when the lining reaches 1/16" thick to replace. And that hair line heat cracks in the lining are acceptable. And they do have them.

If you are use to automotive drum brake linings for thickness, trailer brakes are in a totally different league. Even new a trailer brake lining is not very thick. However TT's do not get the same high mileage as auto's do and they are out to save a $ every chance they can in the trailer industry.

Hope this helps

John

[mainah]

I pack my wheel bearings yearly that's a good time to have a look check the magnets too. As JohnB said they are not very thick to begin with about 1/2 the thickness as regular lining. Shop around you can buy them for about half the price Dexter wants for them but they are still around $30 a wheel.

[henryj]

Steve, if you do need new brakes, you should compare the cost of the shoes alone to buying the whole assembly complete with backing plate. For what you get, the assembly is a very good deal. See etrailer.com.

Henry

[Sunline Fan]

Originally Posted by JohnB

Hi Steve,

Do not know if yours are Dexter or Alko,

See here for the Dexter's brake manual, look on page 16

http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/6149609/f/...rakes_6-11.pdf

Alko's see here page 15
For Alko see here page 15
http://al-kousa.com/pdf/ALKO_2kto7k_OM.pdf


Dexter and Alko both state when the lining reaches 1/16" thick to replace. And that hair line heat cracks in the lining are acceptable. And they do have them.

If you are use to automotive drum brake linings for thickness, trailer brakes are in a totally different league. Even new a trailer brake lining is not very thick. However TT's do not get the same high mileage as auto's do and they are out to save a $ every chance they can in the trailer industry.

Hope this helps

John

John, being an '88, I think he may have Hayes brakes instead of Dexter. Certainly not Alko unless it was done aftermarket recently. The axles were probably Dexter though.

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by henryj

Steve, if you do need new brakes, you should compare the cost of the shoes alone to buying the whole assembly complete with backing plate. For what you get, the assembly is a very good deal. See etrailer.com.

Henry

I second this. Getting the entire backing plate kit has new magnets, shoes, the lever arm bushing and all.

I use these guys and have always had good service. Keep watching for the sale prices. They even beat out Etrailer sometimes
Electric Trailer Brake Assemblies at Trailer Parts Superstore

And they are genuine Dexter in Dexter boxes even sealed and the parts inside are stamped Dexter's trade mark. The mark up on these things is unbelievable. I really have no idea how Eastern Marine can sell a complete 10 x 2 1/4 brake plate for $22.49.....

See here, the raw shoes 10 x 2 1/4 by themselves sell for $27.50....
Electric Trailer Brake Parts & Accessories at Trailer Parts Superstore

It must be that total brake plates as an assembly are more mass produced.

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by Sunline Fan

John, being an '88, I think he may have Hayes brakes instead of Dexter. Certainly not Alko unless it was done aftermarket recently. The axles were probably Dexter though.

Thanks Jon, you come through again....


Steve, for the future if you go into your user CP (control panel) upper left of the screen, you can create a signature file and put the model and year of your camper in there. Then it will come through on every post without you having to tell us. We can then all see what you have and the answers may fit better.

In this case I did not realize what your camper year was and how old it is and I forgot myself to ask..... What I posted on brake parts may not even be an option for you if yours is the older Hayes setup.

Our SunlineFan here I swear has just about everyone's camper year and model memorized.... He is truly our SunlineFan! When he rattled off my frame number to me from memory a while ago I knew I was never going to reach his pinnacle of Sunline memorized stuff....

The rest of use need help in what year/model you have

Good luck with your brakes.

John

[Sunline Fan]

Originally Posted by JohnB

Thanks Jon, you come through again....

Our SunlineFan here I swear has just about everyone's camper year and model memorized.... He is truly our SunlineFan! When he rattled off my frame number to me from memory a while ago I knew I was never going to reach his pinnacle of Sunline memorized stuff....

The rest of use need help in what year/model you have

I didn't quite have his memorized, but I did think it was a pre-white one. I just looked up his other posts and went down a ways to see he had an '88...

I was doing good with your 2499, but I'm still a little rusty with your 310...

[blackflamevt]

Well i don't know how old they are? but when i did my bearings i thought they looked alittle rough. If i do buy new it will be the whole ass. I also did not realize that they are so thin. The reason i'm asking is i have to set my controler to pretty high number.
Steve in Ct

[mainah]

Originally Posted by JohnB

I second this. Getting the entire backing plate kit has new magnets, shoes, the lever arm bushing and all.

I use these guys and have always had good service. Keep watching for the sale prices. They even beat out Etrailer sometimes
Electric Trailer Brake Assemblies at Trailer Parts Superstore

And they are genuine Dexter in Dexter boxes even sealed and the parts inside are stamped Dexter's trade mark. The mark up on these things is unbelievable. I really have no idea how Eastern Marine can sell a complete 10 x 2 1/4 brake plate for $22.49.....

See here, the raw shoes 10 x 2 1/4 by themselves sell for $27.50....
Electric Trailer Brake Parts & Accessories at Trailer Parts Superstore

It must be that total brake plates as an assembly are more mass produced.

Great plan except--- they don't make 10X1 1/2 dang. The only way around it for me would be change the axles and go to a 10X2 the bearings for the 10X2 drums are different then the 10X1 1/2 so they won't fit the spindles. Well I can still buy the linings and any other part if needed.