Another Dexter drum brake failure

**fmartinmn** · 08-21-2021, 07:39 AM

This is the second Dexter drum brake failure experience for me. The first was on my Imagine 2970RL, a magnet broke loose and wedged itself under the front shoe. The friction between the shoe and the drum created enough heat to ignite the shoe material, resulting in fire in the drum. When the dealer pulled the opposite side of the same axle, that side had to be replaced as well. This time on our Solitude 3350RL, one of the brake assemblies "grenaded". My BIL alerted me to a grinding noise when we were both stopping for a red light while enroute to the Black Hills. We had just about completed the 400 mile tow when he noticed the grinding noise. I nursed the trailer into our campground using the truck's diesel brake heavily to avoid any heavy braking of the trailer. When we we pulled the drum, parts just cascaded. Totally shot, including the drum. After two personal experiences with 3 Dexter drum brake failures, I am convinced Dexter drum brakes are not a good match for these trailers. Disc brake conversion just became #1 priority for us. On our return trip home we happened to get assigned a site next to a fellow Solitude owner (2930RL). We chatted about the upcoming rally and he told me about his experience enroute to his first rally, no brakes at all, due to a short in one of the magnets. He managed to figure out which one it was and limped in on 3 brakes working. He had a disc brake conversion done before leaving Indiana. Done with Dexter.

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**huntr70** · 08-21-2021, 08:14 AM

Interesting........most of these posts have the word "Lippert" in place of the "Dexter".

I haven't heard of many failures with Dexter.

**Second Chance** · 08-21-2021, 08:27 AM

You would not be sorry with an EOH disc brake conversion.

Rob

**Gpo1958** · 08-21-2021, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by Second Chance

You would not be sorry with an EOH disc brake conversion.

Rob

About how much would that cost to have done? (I only do work on things that, if they break, won't kill me.)

**Hoopy Frood** · 08-21-2021, 10:12 AM

To have it done would probably run in the neighborhood of $3,000-$5,000. Just a guess, probably more. The brake kit alone is around $2,000, plus
all the additional parts.

**USA in a Chevrolet** · 08-21-2021, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by Gpo1958

About how much would that cost to have done? (I only do work on things that, if they break, won't kill me.)

I had disc brakes installed on my 345GK at Morryde on 8/2. Cost was $2567.00. Disc brakes are awesome. Had them on my last two fifth wheels.

**Hoopy Frood** · 08-21-2021, 10:34 AM

Wow! That's a deal.

**USA in a Chevrolet** · 08-21-2021, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Hoopy Frood

Wow! That's a deal.

Morryde is a quality company. Just expect to wait a few months to get an appointment.

**dryfly** · 08-21-2021, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by huntr70

Interesting........most of these posts have the word "Lippert" in place of the "Dexter".

I haven't heard of many failures with Dexter.

I had exactly the same thing happen with a *Dexter* hub on the first trip in my Reflection. I was in the middle of nowhere in KY, and fortunately GD paid for a complete hub/break assembly to be over-nighted in. I did the repair myself and have not had a issue since.

I'm sure this could happen with any brand hub if original assembly was not correct.

**Viper02** · 08-22-2021, 03:36 PM

I’d be curious to know how many miles on the unit and how often you pull the hubs and inspect, clean, grease…

I have over 35K on original OEM 7K Dexter axles and all are working great with lots of miles left in them