MichaelS78
Senior Member
I have a 2022 21NE that was overdue for wheel bearings re-packed. Took it to Les Schwab today because the trailer and RV places were all booked up. I told them I was also hoping that they could help with the reason why the driver side rear tire always wanted to lock up first so I couldn't turn up the brake controller as much as I would like to. I was shocked though when Les Schwab called back and said the brakes were all pitted and chunked up and I needed completely new brakes all around. Trailer is only 3 years old with 12,000 miles on it. Not sure how they failed this bad where huge chunks popped off and the magnet started grinding into the hub?
They are quoting me $1700 which is a lot of money so I went down the street to a trailer/RV place and asked for a second opinion and showed them pics and quote. They said this all felt accurate to them as far as parts that needed replaced and they would have even been a little more expensive with labor. So not complaining about Les Schwab. I just want to understand what happened or what I've done wrong so I can avoid this short of brake life. Was thinking at least 5 years life and or more like 50,000 miles instead of only 12,000.
Les Schwab did mention it looks like moisture was involved so maybe this happened because I park it on the side of the house in the open. The first year I used a cover through the winter but it got ripped and I haven't used it the last 2 years. I could also use be using tire covers?
Also this trailer was picked up right after Escape started using the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust axles so I was confused and thought they were manual brakes. I did try to adjust after towing back from first trip and might have tightened up too much. They still spun with a little bit of a grinding noise like I thought you were supposed to look for. I also tried to break in the brakes using the method of holding the controller down to heat up the brakes. I'm wondering if this might have led to early failure? The brakes have never felt strong since I picked up the trailer so really scratching my head here on what is going on. $1700 is too much money to pay out every few camping seasons.
Any help appreciated thanks.
They are quoting me $1700 which is a lot of money so I went down the street to a trailer/RV place and asked for a second opinion and showed them pics and quote. They said this all felt accurate to them as far as parts that needed replaced and they would have even been a little more expensive with labor. So not complaining about Les Schwab. I just want to understand what happened or what I've done wrong so I can avoid this short of brake life. Was thinking at least 5 years life and or more like 50,000 miles instead of only 12,000.
Les Schwab did mention it looks like moisture was involved so maybe this happened because I park it on the side of the house in the open. The first year I used a cover through the winter but it got ripped and I haven't used it the last 2 years. I could also use be using tire covers?
Also this trailer was picked up right after Escape started using the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust axles so I was confused and thought they were manual brakes. I did try to adjust after towing back from first trip and might have tightened up too much. They still spun with a little bit of a grinding noise like I thought you were supposed to look for. I also tried to break in the brakes using the method of holding the controller down to heat up the brakes. I'm wondering if this might have led to early failure? The brakes have never felt strong since I picked up the trailer so really scratching my head here on what is going on. $1700 is too much money to pay out every few camping seasons.
Any help appreciated thanks.