Brake Down -- Go Ahead And Give It To Me

You know a little about different types of brake systems and how they work.  But, after you have driven for many miles on any brake system, how do you know when you need to get the brakes serviced? Can there be different rules for motorhomes and fifth-wheels?  Here is where we can help!

Motorhome Brakes

Motorhomes typically have two separate braking system options upon purchase: air brakes and hydraulic brakes. If your RV is diesel-powered, it’s likely equipped with an air brake system. The advantage of this is brake type is that air brakes don’t need any sort of fluid to run.  So this is one less thing you need to monitor and replace. Air brakes have no master cylinder which can fail.  There are still, however, a couple of things you should watch out for if your motorhome is equiped with air brakes.

If excess moisture gets trapped in an air brake system, it can cause the brake to fail.  That being said, most of these systems come with a replaceable cartridge that dries up any excess fluids. If the filter in the cartridge becomes clogged, it can drastically lower the air pressure to the point of brake failure.

In order to keep an air brake system working at its best, check this cartridge at least annually, and plan on  replacing it every two or three years. It’s not a bad idea to carry a spare with you in case of an emergency. Whether or not you carry a spare, it’s a best practice to manually drain the system’s air storage tank every six months or so to eliminate the danger of moisture contamination.

If your motorhome has hydraulic brakes, plan on doing a thorough annual inspection to check the rotor, brake pads, drums, and linings for any wear-and-tear that may cause problems.  You can have a professional look at this as well.  When adding brake fluid, check the cap and the tank for any contaminants, and flush the system as necessary. You or your mechanic will have to do a complete bake fluid replacement every two years.  You want to keep its boiling point high, preventing excess evaporation.

When inspecting the rotors, they should look smooth and free of any deep grooves, cracks, or heat spots. See that your brake pads are wearing evenly. You may also want to double-check for rust on the system (especially if you live in a humid or rainy area), as the corrosive buildup will cause reduced braking capacity and uneven wear.

Fifth-Wheel Brakes

If your rig is a fifth-wheel trailer, there are three areas of maintenance you should focus on: inspection, cleaning, and adjustments. As with a motorhome,  have your trailer’s brakes inspected at least annually, and maybe more frequently depending on their use and performance. Look for worn shoe linings. If the linings are less than 1/16-inch thick, or if they’re cracked, separated or saturated with oil, they will need to be replaced.

Electric brakes are not self-adjusting.  So you will want to periodically adjust them to keep the shoes and drums properly spaced. You can do this yourself if you’re especially handy in auto repair, or you can have a professional  like St. George Mobile RV Repair take a look at it. Just be mindfull of the condition your brakes are in.  You should have them adjusted if you notice them getting hot or having difficulty holding.

Regular inspection and/or service of your motorhome or fifth-wheel braking systems is important to keeping your rig safe to drive. Use your RV maintenance logbook and schedule checks and repairs with us.  This will allow you to periodically check on and care for your brakes, which in turn guarantees a secure stop no matter where the road may take you.