Trillium 4500 brakes

[clyle]

Now that I have my awning fixed, it's time to deal with my brakes. They stop ok, but there is a fair amount of squealing in the process which is embarrassing. Does the Trillium take some kind of special "Trillium" brakes? Or can I go to just any RV/trailer shop and have it done there. This is something that I'd do myself, but campgrounds and RV parks I'm in don't allow work done on trailers. If it turns out to too much of a deal I'll just put up with the noise till I get back to Mich.

[Glenn Baglo]

Perhaps your brakes are trying to tell you something?
Any shop can fix brakes. You don't have to go to an RV shop.

[ken h]

Brakes are fairly cheap, the last time I did my brakes I put a backing plate kit on which give me new shoes and new magnets and not much cleaning. 4 bolts and 2 wires per side and you're good. Should check hub and repack bearings when you have it apart.

Ken

[clyle]

So, I've been to several auto parts stores and asked for a brake kit for a 78 Trillium. They don't seem amused. Same with a few local repair shops. They'd all like me to bring it in so they can look at it! I have no desire to spend my traveling time in a motel with my trailer dissembled in BF Florida waiting for "parts". It's partly my fault though. I don't know if my Trillium takes some "off-the-shelf" brake parts, and if so what, or does it take some exotic, 40 year old, Canadian, metric, "they-don't-make-em-anymore-and-if-they-do-it'll-take-a-week-to-get-em" brake parts.

[David Tilston]

I love a good catalog. Some of the most educational literature. Everything you need to know about trailer brakes, OK that's not true, but a good place to start.


http://www.raysbestbrakes.com/Images/trailerbrake.pdf

[clyle]

David: Wowzers! Thanks, that's some catalog. So the repair people were right after all. It is probably necessary to actually take a look at the brakes to see which configuration it has. Would I be right in assuming that any place that repairs trailers/trailer brakes would/should have the parts at hand? Thanks again. I've downloaded the file to keep with my trailer literature.

[Joe MacDonald]

depending on the axle used, (trillium had several), they may be an obsolete size.
My 5500 had 7 inch brakes, but they had a narrow width that was no longer available.
If you find a trailer supply place or an axle supplier, they can pull the wheel apart, identify everything, and give you a price. it should take less than an hour

Joe

[clyle]

That is what most concerns me at this point. That I might have an obsolete system. I am going to a truck service center tomorrow for them to take a look to see what is wrong and to see if parts are available if needed. In any event the information I've gotten from you all has been very helpful. Here's hoping.

[Francesca Knowles]

I did a complete brake replacement on my 4500 a few years ago. Just replaced the whole hub- cost under a hundred bucks per wheel.

I bought the replacement at my local autoparts store after showing the guys down there the old one I'd removed.

[Perry J]

[QUOTE=clyle;443987]That is what most concerns me at this point. That I am going to a truck service center tomorrow for them to take a look to see what is wrong In any event the information I've gotten from you all has been very helpful. Here's hoping. [/

"to see if parts are available if needed".

You can buy the entire backing plate/brake assembly cheaper than you can buy the parts.

I buy from Northern Tool.

[clyle]

First, and again, a big thank you for the advice and information. Took the Trillium in to the truck service center today. An hour and a half later I'm out with a new set of brakes. They had the brakes on hand (a standard/common set as it turned out). A little less than $300, $200 of which was labor. I asked what would have been my options if the brakes had been "non-standard" and he said they could have replaced the entire axle, brakes and all, for another $100. All in all it worked well. By the by, the brakes were a complete disaster and should have been replaced long ago. My bad.

[David Tilston]

All's well that ends well.