azandy
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 83 
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Post by azandy on Feb 26, 2015 4:38:18 GMT -5
Well, brought our unit in for the first time in the two years we had it. Couple of warranty things and maintenance. They replaced the kitchen counter top. That was cracked from new. Just never had a chance to bring it back. They also replaced the Jensen radio under warranty which was nice. I didn't think it would even be covered. It would turn on when it felt like it and then not turn off so it has been unplugged all of last year. Kids think it is a ghost. Lol
Biggest thing was I had them repack the bearings and check the brakes. They called and said seals leaked grease into all the brakes. So they replaced the backing plates and brakes. Put it all back together. Well, I went to leave and had zero brakes. So the readjusted them. Told me they have to break in. Hmmmm? Sounds like BS to me. Drove 130 miles home and still very little brakes. They tested my truck and everything on the trailer at the dealership. Said all is good. If I slide the lever tight on number 10, I can just barely feel them. You can hear the magnets a little.
So little that with the lever slid tight at 100%, the truck will roll ahead just fine while idling. Nothing stopping it. Little upsetting as I paid pretty decent money to have this fixed and now it is not. Worse yet is the dealer in 2-1/2 hours away and I'm leaving with it Monday to start a job out of town 1100 miles away. Should be exciting driving through Chicago.
Any of you have thoughts on what could be wrong? Hoping I can fix it myself before I leave. |
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Post by shortlance on Feb 26, 2015 8:56:08 GMT -5
Our Stoneridge also had all 4 seals go bad and we didn't have that many miles on it--probaly less then 1500 miles. I had posted about it on the owners forum "before it went Russin" and others complained about bad seals also. I really think this is something KZ should look into.Bearing seals going bad seem to be a reoccurring theme in the newer RVs that should be addressed by the company! After my brakes were repaired I had no problems but I I have self adjusting brakes. If yours are not self adjusting they might just have to be adjusted in a little more. I am going to have the bearings done every year now and if there is still a problem and KZ does nothing ---the trailer is history!
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Post by lynnmor on Feb 26, 2015 14:35:04 GMT -5
If they did replace the brake shoes, my bet is that they pumped grease in thru the fitting and contaminated it all over again. I am convinced that the easy-lube grease fitting should never be used, hand pack only will be fine.
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brmike
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 120
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Post by brmike on Feb 26, 2015 16:14:32 GMT -5
Ya'll are making me nervous now. I greased my hubs last year following instructions for the easy lube hubs online. I haven't noticed any brake problems, but next week a good friend and I are going to pull the wheels, clean and repack the bearings, check seals and brakes, etc. have any of you guys with the stone ridge units lifted all 4 wheels off the ground with reico Titan jacks? If so, any problems?
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Post by shortlance on Feb 26, 2015 19:17:41 GMT -5
Ya'll are making me nervous now. I greased my hubs last year following instructions for the easy lube hubs online. I haven't noticed any brake problems, but next week a good friend and I are going to pull the wheels, clean and repack the bearings, check seals and brakes, etc. have any of you guys with the stone ridge units lifted all 4 wheels off the ground with reico Titan jacks? If so, any problems? I never used the easy lube and still had all four seals go bad. It was a little over 2 years but not many miles so I will do as the factories says for now on--once a year even if I don't rack up many miles. |
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azandy
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 83
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Post by azandy on Feb 26, 2015 19:33:06 GMT -5
Our Stoneridge also had all 4 seals go bad and we didn't have that many miles on it--probaly less then 1500 miles. I had posted about it on the owners forum "before it went Russin" and others complained about bad seals also. I really think this is something KZ should look into.Bearing seals going bad seem to be a reoccurring theme in the newer RVs that should be addressed by the company! After my brakes were repaired I had no problems but I I have self adjusting brakes. If yours are not self adjusting they might just have to be adjusted in a little more. I am going to have the bearings done every year now and if there is still a problem and KZ does nothing ---the trailer is history! Ya they are self adjusting. But they don't. I'm wondering if an electrical issue. Just not sure. Went to a local trailer dealer today to talk to them. He thinks drums are rusted or not clean where the magnets hit. Guess I'll pull off a wheel and check it out. Piece of mind anyway. |
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azandy
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 83
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Post by azandy on Feb 26, 2015 19:36:34 GMT -5
Ya'll are making me nervous now. I greased my hubs last year following instructions for the easy lube hubs online. I haven't noticed any brake problems, but next week a good friend and I are going to pull the wheels, clean and repack the bearings, check seals and brakes, etc. have any of you guys with the stone ridge units lifted all 4 wheels off the ground with reico Titan jacks? If so, any problems? Last year I did just that. When I brought all the wheels in for new tires. The back Jacks I had to keep alternating. I lifted a little one side at a time. Although rock solid while up in the air, it sure looks scary with no wheels on it. |
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brmike
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 120
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Post by brmike on Feb 26, 2015 19:42:22 GMT -5
I plan to do one wheel at a time. The other 3 won't be on the ground, but they will be on the trailer. It makes me feel better to know that it does do as advertised.
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brmike
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 120
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Post by brmike on Feb 27, 2015 8:47:01 GMT -5
azandy; when you lifted your unit off the ground, did you have it hooked up to your truck to take some of the weight on the hitch?
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Post by lynnmor on Feb 27, 2015 9:17:01 GMT -5
Trailer brake drums have quality issues. They are not balanced so balancing the tires is pretty much a wasted effort. I assemble the drum to the wheel and balance as an assembly.
Now the reason that I am responding to this thread is the problem of self-adjusters not working. Sometimes the drums have considerable runout from new. This will "confuse" the self-adjuster and cause it to not function properly.
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azandy
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 83
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Post by azandy on Feb 27, 2015 11:11:09 GMT -5
azandy; when you lifted your unit off the ground, did you have it hooked up to your truck to take some of the weight on the hitch? Nope. Just had it in the driveway by itself. The rear jacks would trip out unless I did a little at a time. But did lift it no problem. I was loaded about normal too. Didn't take any weight out of the unit. |
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resorter
Newbie RV’er
On Holiday
Posts: 11
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Post by resorter on Feb 27, 2015 16:54:35 GMT -5
There are left and right sides for the backing plates if they swamped them that may be the problem. Also If they did not put new drums on the surface that the magnet grabs may be to grooved too move the shoes out with any force. Here is a link that there installing electric brakes on a trailer. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tbv8f7jw6E Also here is another link that talks about worn brakes www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrmU8UMDtDY |
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azandy
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 83
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Post by azandy on Feb 28, 2015 7:57:34 GMT -5
There are left and right sides for the backing plates if they swamped them that may be the problem. Also If they did not put new drums on the surface that the magnet grabs may be to grooved too move the shoes out with any force. Here is a link that there installing electric brakes on a trailer. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tbv8f7jw6E Also here is another link that talks about worn brakes www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrmU8UMDtDY These were very interesting. I know for a fact the drums were not changed. I may attempt to pull this apart and replace them myself. I'd have gladly paid the dealer to replace them. They never mentioned it. Not sure if it is common or just recommended.
Funny, I watched about a dozen more video after those.
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brmike
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 120
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Post by brmike on Mar 3, 2015 16:32:12 GMT -5
well i pulled all 4 wheels on my 38fl today and the seals in both front wheels had leaked and got grease on the brakes. They didn't look "blown", just that they had leaked a little. All bearings and brake components looked good. cleaned the brakes with a good brake cleaner, hand packed the bearings with mobil one synthetic grease and reassembled. Apparently i'd been operating the last few months on only the 2 rear brakes, but i really didn't notice any loss in braking. Picked up camper with the 4 electric jacks fine, but wouldn't you know it, when i set it back down on the ground, the right rear jack pad came off the jack. It is tack welded on and the weld broke. You could tell it was a poor weld, but fortunately an easy fix. You just pull the jt stabilizer bar off and pull the fastening bolt out and the part that it was welded to came right out. It's being welded today and i'll reinstall tomorrow. My unit will be 3 years old this month with lots of miles on it, so i guess it's time for a few problems. When I told my wife, she said it's time to get a new one, but I assured her that is not the case! Good Lord willing, we're leaving for a week or so in Pigeon forge, Tenn. on the 15th with repacked wheel bearings, 4 good brakes, a new b&W hitch. Also had to weld 3 broken welds on the entry steps. The old girl just needed a little maintenance! the Camper, not the Wife!
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Post by johnr on Mar 4, 2015 8:31:26 GMT -5
I can't even get my unit out of the barn. Still got 2 feet of snow in front of the door!
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brmike
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 120
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Post by brmike on Mar 4, 2015 18:53:07 GMT -5
Azande; did you make it down to louisiana yet? Did you get your brakes fixed?
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azandy
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 83
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Post by azandy on Mar 5, 2015 17:25:00 GMT -5
Azande; did you make it down to louisiana yet? Did you get your brakes fixed? Yuup. Made it here Tuesday. Staying at St. James just down from the bridge. B+B was full.
Very little brakes. Almost none actually. Had little traffic. But kept a good distance always. Exhaust brake got a work out for sure. I'm one that uses little brakes when I drive anyway but for sure was not safe towing it like that. Could not have stopped in a hurry if I needed to. Just ran out of options at the time.
Got to enjoy South Louisiana weather yesterday. Now feel like I'm back in Wisconsin. People on my job site blame me for bringing this weather with me. Looks like it should be better in a couple days anyway.
This campground has 100 sites but only 10 of us here. Just a big gravel parking lot with hook ups. Way over priced at $500 a month. But does include electric cost. And water and sewer. They can charge that I'm guessing, because it probably fills during oil maintenance shut downs. Quiet here though. Don't mind that.
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brmike
Seasonal RV’er
Posts: 120
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Post by brmike on Mar 5, 2015 20:05:29 GMT -5
Glad you made it safely. Hopefully last freeze of the winter. Remember berryland campers in ponchatoula if you need service. Call or email me if you need anything.
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