tarkin
Belle River, Ontario
Full Member
Joined: 01/22/2007
View Profile
 Offline
|
I have about 3600 miles (5728 KMs for fellow Canadians) on my Jayco 1006. It was bought brand new from a dealer and on my first trip out in '06 the brakes seized and they had to replace the entire brake/bearing setup. It's worked fine since then.
We went on our first trip this year on the 13th and about 45 minutes into the trip my friend who was following behind smelled something burning. We pulled over and found the wheels to be very hot. I called the dealer who said this was normal so we continued on without incident.
My question is how often to the brakes and wheel bearings need to be looked at? I mentioned that I wasn't close to 10,000 mile yet and the dealer said it should be done every year. In 2-plus years I only have 3600 miles on it so I can't see having to use the same maintenace schedule as someone who uses their PUP much more than me.
...May the forest be with you...
PUP owner since 2006--Jayco '06 model# 1006
Days camped in '07: 21
|
mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
Moderator
Joined: 08/26/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
Anything over 140 degrees is a problem according to both Dexter and Al-Ko the two major axle/brake manufacturers. For those without a thermometer to measure that's holding your hand on the hub for more than three seconds without having to remove your hand from the heat.
As for the maintenance the less you use a trailer the more often the brakes & bearings need servicing. Grease separates over time and drops to the bottom of the bearings allow the upper surfaces to be exposed and libel to rusting. Not to mention the grease separation divides it into oils and binders. Binders when separated act like grinding compound until reincorporated into the oils.
Then there is the issue of point loading. Just setting for long periods of time means just one or two of the rollers in the bearing carry the entire trailer weight. Over time this causes metal fatigue and spalling.
As for the brakes remember they do NOT have self adjusters and it's recommended they be adjusted after several hundred miles when new as the shoes and drums are not matched and will quickly wear into each other causing a lack of braking. Also recommended is a yearly adjustment as well as inspection for rust/grease/worn shoes.
blog.rv.net Your daily guide to the Open Road
Subscribe to the daily digest
Want to sell some of your gear? -
Free Classified Listings on RV.Net
They say you learn by your mistakes, in that case I must be a genius.
|
mockturtle
Northwest
Senior Member
Joined: 05/31/2005
View Profile
|
While yearly is often recommended, we have ours done every two years, regardless of mileage. From what I understand, a trailer sitting idle for two years is still at risk.
Husband: Derek
Dog: Bucky
RV: 2000 Aerolite 19RB TT
TV: 1996 Chevrolet Blazer 6 cyl. 4WD
This car used to be our toad, now is our TV!
|
tarkin
Belle River, Ontario
Full Member
Joined: 01/22/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Thanks for clearing that up Mike. I never even thought that NOT using can be a bigger issue than using it. I'm making an appointment this week.
|
DenverDan
Colorado
Senior Member
Joined: 02/05/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
For the $100 or so of prevention, annually is how often I do ours. We also have been known to ford creeks with our PU in tow, so that is even more reason for us to do so regularly.
Nights camping in '08-3
Nights camping in '07-43
Nights camping in '06-36
'06 Fleetwood Cobalt
'94 S-10 Blazer 4X4 (over 180K miles)
'57 Obsessive DH
'61 Sweetie DW
Denver Dan's Camping Photos
A bad day camping is better than a good day at work.
|
|
|
crockett3663
Wisconsin
Full Member
Joined: 04/15/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Can't speak for brakes since my trailer doesn't have electric brakes, but as far as wheel bearings, my tailer mechanic suggests having them checked every two years; yearly if you don't use your camper fairly regularly during the summer.
|
Pete D
Washington
Senior Member
Joined: 11/19/2005
View Profile
|
Despite what the dealer said, if the car behind can smell something, something is amiss -- Otherwise, we would all be smelling it whenever behind another trailer.
What I do is get an infrared thermometer (Radio Shack, Sears, etc) and use it on a routine basis whenever I stop for gas, shopping, whatever. I shoot the treads and hubs on both truck and trailer. I don't care about the absolute temperatures as much as I care about something that is different from the others. By doing it often, I get a feel for what is normal in heat, cold, after braking, etc. That way if something is starting to go bad it will likely give me an early warning.
1998 Ranger 4.0 4x4
1991 Scamp 13'
|
Hiker3
Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 01/21/2007
View Profile
|
Rookie Question, please... I have made an appointment to take our tent camper in for its first safety and maintenance checkup.
Other than the wheel bearings, surge brakes and wiring, is there anything else I should ask them to inspect for wear and tear. Have about 2,700 miles on this new camper.
Thanks.
Livin Lite Quicksilver 8.0 (Folding Tent Camper) only 900 lbs!
|
Half watt
California,
Full Member
Joined: 05/03/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I can repack my own wheel bearings but I choose not to.
I take the pop up in every two years for inspection.
The last time I was at the dealer it was the same gentleman behind the counter. What I did not know is that the regular mechanic that works on my pop up was not there that day. A new guy I did not recognize came out with a trailer dolly and took my pop up into the service area. I should have realized something was wrong after paying the bill and getting ready to drive home. The safety chains were not crossed over one another. The next day we left for an 800 mile trip to Northern California. At the first gas stop I noticed that I had lost one of the dust caps on the hub. No big thing, I made a cover out of tin foil and the ever present duct tape. On the return trip I lost the dust cover on the other axle. When I got the pop up home and jacked up on one side I realized the wheel, tire and all had about 3/4 inch of play top to bottom or side to side. I called the dealer and said I had a real problem with his credibility and the type of work his mechanic was doing. He asked me to bring the trailer back to the shop.
The new mechanic had not put the nut retainers on either axle when he repacked the bearings. Both trailer wheels were slowely coming loose and getting ready to fall off the trailer.
The mechanic does not work there anymore and I don't take my pop up to that dealer anymore.
He may have gotton a job at the dealer where you have your pop up serviced. If the dealer has a sign that says customers are not allowed in the service area my suggestion would be to get another dealer.
Even if you don't do the work yourself, you need to know how it is to be done and what to look for in a quality job.
Half Watt
|
wintek
Shreveport, Louisiana
Full Member
Joined: 08/08/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Half watt wrote:The new mechanic had not put the nut retainers on either axle when he repacked the bearings. Both trailer wheels were slowely coming loose and getting ready to fall off the trailer.
I'm shocked the wheels did not fall off on the drive out of the dealers parking lot. What held them on if the castle nuts were off?
|
|
|
