Brake issues

[wekirby]

I recently found out that the drum brakes on our 2017 Redwood need to be manually adjusted every 3 to 4k miles. That was never mentioned when we purchased it nor is it in any documentation we have. Get your brakes adjusted!

[Ford truck guy]

I think that its just common knowledge to adjust / check drum brakes every couple thousand miles… Especially on these HEAVY Redwoods. . .

Yet another great reason to switch to Disc Brakes . . . .

[wekirby]

What did it cost you to have them upgraded if I can ask?

[Ford truck guy]

Don’t remember but i am thinking $3,000 - $4,000.00

On Edit, here :

From Performance Trailer Braking -

Double Axle 6k or 7k lbs Kodiak 8-Lug 13" Premier Disc Brake Conversion Kit $3,075
Double Axle 8k lbs Kodiak 8-Lug 13" Premier Disc Brake Conversion Kit $3,175

https://performancetrailerbraking.com/disc-brakes

[mhs4771]

I thought all newer units, like over 10 years, were using Self Adjusting Brakes. Suppose as a cost cutting measure could have gone backwards.

[wekirby]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

I thought all newer units, like over 10 years, were using Self Adjusting Brakes. Suppose as a cost cutting measure could have gone backwards.

Obviously that isn't true in my case. I wish it were.

[XCMARK]

Is it possible that you are running the brake gain to high and the truck is doing less stopping then the trailer? What do you run your gain set at? Do you do your own brake adjustments? I can honestly say that I rarely adjusted any of my trailer drum brakes once they are burnished . I would do it maybe once every 8~10,000 miles. Do you have a diesel truck , are you useing the engine brake?

[wekirby]

I have 2022 Silverado and had to set the brakes at 10 as the brakes wear barely grabbing. It was a long scary ride back from Florida to Michigan. The truck had to do most of the stopping. I figure the trailer has 12 to 15k miles on it with zero brake adjusts made. My old Silverado controller was set at 8.5 on the way down. I also bought a brake spoon to do the adjusting myself which I've done on my old cars years ago then I'm taking it to have the brakes and barings checked, it's overdue

[mhs4771]

Straight from the RW Web Site, note the first line:

3-3/8" Self-Adjusting Drum Brakes
6-Point Hydraulic Jacks w/ Auto Leveling
17.5 H-Rated 16 Ply Tires (w/ Spare)
17.5" Wheels
Falcon 2" (3,000 lb.) Receiver Hitch
Falcon 12"/10" I-Beam Drop Frame
Falcon 8,000 lb. Axles
Falcon Hydraulic Slide Out System w/ Manual Override
MORryde Lift Assist Steps
MORryde LRE 4100 Suspension System
MORryde Pinbox

[RWJSIM2003]

I always called them self adjusting. meaning I adjust them myself

[XCMARK]

I will agree at 10,000+ miles they will need adjusted and checked. I would not be surprised to see the shoes are covered in grease . All 4 wheels of our trailer at 2 years old had the shoes soaked in grease/oil from the previous owner over greasing the wheel bearings. Every trip he said he put 5 pumps in each wheel , not needed for sure. Putting a disk brakes on our camper has been one of the best up grades I have done , I could not live with leaving huge gaps in traffic and going slow.

[Ezyracer]

Funny. My 2015 GK has self adjusting electric drum brakes that came stock. My RV tech told me we did not need to adjust but need to grease the bearings yearly.

[travelin' texans]

Originally Posted by Ezyracer

Funny. My 2015 GK has self adjusting electric drum brakes that came stock. My RV tech told me we did not need to adjust but need to grease the bearings yearly.

Just be sure when you "grease the bearings yearly" it's by removing hubs & hand packing only, NOT by the EZ Lube grease zerks in the spindles or you'll be replacing brakes rather than adjusting them when they are full of grease & believe me they will be..
And after hand packing you will need to adjust them or wait about 5000+ miles, if ever, for them ever readjust themselves back to useful brakes.

[MrT]

We finally had disc brakes installed last September on our 2013 36RL. I wish I had done it many years ago. Dropped my brake gain from 9.5 to 6. On a hard stop I can feel the trailer "pulling" the truck. Worth every penny.