Brakes Decimated

**HaroldTerry** · 10-22-2020, 05:49 PM

I have 6000 miles on my 2018 Solitude. Per recommendation I have it in the shop right now getting the wheel bearings packed (every 2 years). Unfortunately the shop just called to tell me the brake pads are down to the bare metal and have warn into the hubs. I am very shocked by this. Do pads on these trailers really wear out that quickly? Seems very odd to me that this should happen after only 6000 miles, particularly since the pads are now so badly warn that even the hubs have been compromised.

**FT4NOW** · 10-22-2020, 05:55 PM

That does seem like low miles, the last brake inspection I did on mine was around 15k miles and they still had plenty of life left. I wonder if your brakes were adjusted too tight, or your brake controller was set too high.

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**HaroldTerry** · 10-22-2020, 06:01 PM

They are self adjusting brakes and my brake controller is set to 7. Maybe I'll try lowering it to 6(?)

**geotex1** · 10-22-2020, 06:07 PM

6000 is too low for sure. Should be well over half gone at 15K if you're set up for balanced braking. Might be a good time for disc conversion!

**TheLexx** · 10-22-2020, 06:19 PM

Curious - what's the cost for a brake job on these things?

**geotex1** · 10-22-2020, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by TheLexx

Curious - what's the cost for a brake job on these things?

Loaded backing plate and new hub drum is about $135/ea at cost. Dealers usually sock you with a 40% parts markup (not kidding) and will charge a minimum 1 hour shop labor per wheel. Full R&R can be done in 3 hours working slowly.

**FT4NOW** · 10-22-2020, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by HaroldTerry

They are self adjusting brakes and my brake controller is set to 7. Maybe I'll try lowering it to 6(?)

Self adjusting brakes do require a proper initial adjustment when installed. If this was done incorrectly it could shorten the brake pad life.

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**Gronk1** · 10-22-2020, 08:15 PM

I had to replace brakes after 1.5 years & less than 3k OWNER miles. Delivery miles to the dealer was over2000. Delivery drivers use the trailer brakes almost exclusively.

**zinman** · 10-22-2020, 08:27 PM

HaroldTerry, something is way wrong with your brake system. I had my Alpenlite 13 years and 12K miles and still had half my brake pads left the last time I serviced bearings etc.

**TheLexx** · 10-22-2020, 09:30 PM

Ouch! So basically about $1k for all 4. A disc brake kit from Performance Trailer Braking is $1885 not including labor. Hmmm....it might be actually cheaper to do the disc conversion in the long run if I go through new brakes every 2 or 3 years!
https://performancetrailerbraking.com/disc-brakes

Originally Posted by geotex1

Loaded backing plate and new hub drum is about $135/ea at cost. Dealers usually sock you with a 40% parts markup (not kidding) and will charge a minimum 1 hour shop labor per wheel. Full R&R can be done in 3 hours working slowly.