Maintenance & Restoration

Lawrence W · 07-16-2013, 08:56 AM

My 1980 Scamp developed a terrible squeal while on a recent trip. It felt like the brakes were rubbing. A dealership removed the wheels, cleaned the brake facings, and checked the brakes out. They would lock up when the breakaway switch was pulled, but wouldn't activate with the TV brake pedal. The repairman put everything back, and no squeal, and no brakes the trip home. (The TV brakes allowed safe braking.)

I jacked up the trailer when I got home, the brakes lock up OK with the controller lockup switch, but no TV pedal braking.

Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Lawrence

Orcus79 · 07-16-2013, 10:21 AM

Using the manual slide on the controller, when do the brakes lock up? It's very possible that your controller and the trailer brakes need to be reset properly. All the "repair" guy might have done is backed the brakes off so the shoes wouldn't rub on the drums.

My guess is that the return springs on the shoes are getting weak and it's time to rebuild. Especially if they are original and have never been serviced.

Jared J · 07-16-2013, 01:41 PM

If they do need fixing, IMHO, it's best to go buy a loaded backing plate for $50 and call it a day. I know some wont want to spend the money, and I get that, too.

Thomas G. · 07-16-2013, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared J

If they do need fixing, IMHO, it's best to go buy a loaded backing plate for $50 and call it a day. I know some wont want to spend the money, and I get that, too.

Less than that at Eastern Marine.

Lawrence W · 07-17-2013, 10:25 AM

The brake controller was out of adjustment. The problem was the "nut behind the knob."
Thanks for those who responded.
Lawrence

Thinh · 07-17-2013, 07:52 PM

My 1980Trillium model 1300 I bought with...nothing but a few 120VAC bulbs. The shell leaks, the floor is rotten, has cracks in shell and no brakes. Within 3 months, I start working on it FROM GROUND UP, separate frame, re-inforce and repaint it. Put it back, do body work, put new floor...I mean...everything DIY with 10inches ebrakes. Someone might laugh at me when I spend hour for adjust my ebrake on the road before travelling. Yet, all the hard works are paid off. Even with little car, I pull the Trillium with all the toys, including 4 bicycles stuffed inside with 4 inflated floats. Pulling on HW with +100kilometer per hour, I got no problem at all except slow climbing up the hill. To protect my gear, everytime starting from stop i turn off OD of my little TV and switching back to OD after speef of + 75km per hour....Let's take a look of my poor camper, not even finished the paint job before camping actions....Inside of my camper, there is a fancy electrical panel home made with both 120VAC and 12VDC sources plus battery. Also a 30liter water tank with 12v pump. After the paint job is done and with stronger vehicle( could be a minivan) I intend to pull it all the way to...California. Cheer!