gottular
Denver
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Joined: 11/01/2009
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I'm going to be new to RVing and am going to purchase a 33-36 ft 5th wheel in the next couple of weeks first to live in and then to take on the road. Right now I'm looking a private sales as the dealers are still staying pretty high.
I know most of the electrical/mechanical stuff to check out on a 5th wheel, but no nothing about electric brakes. Not wanting to be penny wise and pound foolish, I would like to find out if there is any way to check out the brakes on the units I look at, both where they are sitting and if necessary connected to a tow vehicle? Also, if they are bad, what's repair for a double axle run?
Thanks
Rod
Ps I apologize if this is a double post, but I can't find my initial post anywhere.
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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You can replace the entire brake mechanism for around $50.00 per wheel (parts only). It's a four bolt install (plus a couple of wires) and takes only about a half hour per wheel.
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Bob Wetherbee`
Hemlock, MI
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If your new to RVing can we ask what plan you have for pulling the 5ver ? There is so much to have ready for such a rig and sounds like your doing a great job preparing. I remember my first purchase of a TT . Hooked it up and brought it the 200 miles home and just by luck happened to notice that three of the four TT wheels wireing were broken and had no way to work. So, your ahead of the game already. keep us informed if you would .
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Vulcaneer
Northern New England
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Joined: 10/17/2007
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Not connected up to the truck, make sure trailer battery is charged. Pull out the breakaway plunger. Hold a compass next to each wheel. If the needle points to the wheel, it proves the brakes are activating the magnets. You may also hear a faint "buzz" at each wheel, as is normal. This test does not necessarily mean the brakes are functioning fully. But it does indicate the wiring and breakaway switch is good. And the magnets are energizing.
The best way to check them for full functioning, is to hook up to a truck and try the brakes while towing.
Animation of how magnets work at bottom of page
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Luke Porter
Not on the road :(
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Joined: 10/03/2000
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skipnchar wrote:You can replace the entire brake mechanism for around $50.00 per wheel (parts only). It's a four bolt install (plus a couple of wires) and takes only about a half hour per wheel.
I'd love to watch you do that job in 30 minutes. Not going to replace the seal or look at the bearings?
It might take a seasoned mechanic, who has everything right there and has done it before, 30 minutes.
But for someone who has never pulled a drum, it's probably going to take a half day including repacking the bearings.
BUT, it's not a difficult job.
* This post was
edited 11/03/09 07:52am by Luke Porter *
States I have spent the night in my current rig, bought three years ago.
Have RV'ed through 49 states and been in all 50, just short of my half-century.
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gottular
Denver
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Thanks for the very useful information. I can do the compass thing, and will have it hooked up to AC current to test all the other systems, so the battery should be getting juice. Where do I find the "breakaway plunger" to pull on it?
Someone asked what I was going to pull it with? That's a topic for a whole seperate discussion as the units I'm looking at go from about #9000 gvw to 135000gvw. I had hoped to get by with an older 7.3 Ford Diesel, but have seen so many posts about GVW, CGVW, etc. it makes my head spin. It will not be an issue for at least a year as I'm going to put it in an RV park and live in it, so it won't be rolling anywhere.
Thanks for all the help.
Rod
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Vulcaneer
Northern New England
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Rod, The breakaway switch is mounted on the side of the king pin box. The plunger is the little plastic rod that is connected into the breakaway switch. The other end of the plunger has a approx. 4 foot thin cable with a loop on the other end. The loop is connected to the hitch. So that if the trailer ever does break away from the truck, the cable will pull out the plunger from the switch. When the plunger comes out, two contacts (balls) in the switch close to complete the 12V circuit (from your on-board battery) to fully engage the electric brakes.
So for testing the break away switch, just yank the cable so the plunger comes out. After you are done checking your brakes, just push the plunger right back in to the switch box. It will open the circuit again, so your brakes will release for travelling.
It is not a good idea to leave the plunger out for a long period. The constant 12V charge thru your system could damage magnets, and run down your battery. But 5 minutes or so should not cause a problem.
Also, it is not a good idea to test the break away switch, while your umbilical cord is connected to the truck. Could cause damage to your brake controller.
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