Spring Maintenance-brakes&axles

[mic1hael]

How many of you do the brake inspections yourself and if you do where could I find info on how to do it? Or is it better to take it to the shop?

[SteveC7010]

How many of you do the brake inspections yourself and if you do where could I find info on how to do it? Or is it better to take it to the shop?

I do all my own brakes and bearings. Both AL-Ko and Dexter have full maintenance manuals available for free download on their sites.

For Dexter, http://www.dexteraxle.com/i/u/6149609/f/6-8K_Service_Manual_9-12/600-8K_Complete_Service_Manual_9-12.pdf

For Al-KO, http://al-kousa.com/pdf/ALKO_2kto7k_OM.pdf

I download and save anything like this that is available. That way, I have the info right on my laptop. I also have an Amazon Kindle. I send the PDF's to the Kindle's email address, and it gets stored on their cloud and can be pulled down to the Kindle in just a few minutes. I also have the Kindle software and Adobe Reader on my iPhone and can download view the files there as well.

[SteveC7010]

More to this:

I do my own bearings and brakes for a number of reasons. First, the trailer never leaves home. DW can do as she needs in the trailer as can I. If it was sitting at the dealer's, we'd both be dead in the water for packing or unpacking, cleaning, mods, etc. If the job takes a couple of days or more, we don't lose any of that time to the rig sitting at the shop. And, I can work at my own pace and on my own schedule.

Second, I believe that brakes and bearings are something that every TT owner should be familiar with and fully understand, even if you don't do the work yourself. But, but by doing it myself, I know what was done and I know how to fix something in there if a problem develops on the road. It's also a great opportunity to closely examine the wheels and tires.

I also find great comfort in knowing exactly what the tires, bearings and brakes looked like the last time I did it. If there is a change, it is easy to detect.

And there's no service manager excuses to deal with, either! :)

[cabinfever]

In PA we have an annual inspection. They check lights, brakes, break away, suspension, and overall integrity of the trailer. Luckily for me, the place where we take our vehicles and trust very much also does trailer inspections.

[f6bits]

I just had mine (repack and brake adjustment) done for a couple hundred bucks. There's a local trailer shop here run by a family that's *really* into trailers of all kinds.

For that amount of money, I don't mind letting them do it. And they let me know how everything looks. It only took a morning and I had it back by lunch.

[therink]

You Tube is a great resource for how to videos on electric brake and bearing service.
Steve

[SteveC7010]

I just had mine (repack and brake adjustment) done for a couple hundred bucks. There's a local trailer shop here run by a family that's *really* into trailers of all kinds.

BINGO!!!!

If you have to have someone else do the work, this is the kind of shop to take it to every time! Not an RV dealer's service shop, but an honest to goodness trailer shop!

[Yak]

In PA we have an annual inspection. They check lights, brakes, break away, suspension, and overall integrity of the trailer. Luckily for me, the place where we take our vehicles and trust very much also does trailer inspections.
I now can do my own inspection for a cost of $2.00. We just got the shop certified for motorcycles and trailers but we're only doing our own, not for the general public.

[mic1hael]

Thank you for all your help. I will definitely take a look at my owners manual for the dexter axles and look at youtube.(tx)