Brake Adjustment Q, torque wrench & basement key

[ctangolf]

Hello,

I'm full-timing in my 303RLS and have about 1500 miles. It is braking just fine, but the manual says it needs to have the brakes adjusted at 1000 (I think). Has anyone brought their rig in for this? Our rig is braking just fine really. And is this covered under ur warranty or do I have to pay? What would the expected cost be?

Also, I remember reading about using a torque wrench to check and adjust the lug nuts on the tires. What size should I buy and how much should I torque them to?

Last thing, when I got my solar installed, they accidently broke my basement key and I'm having a hard (impossible through 4 states so far) time finding a blank that can be cut to fit my RV. A good problem, kinda. Anyone know where to get these keys made?

 

[J Weir]

You can buy the keys on Amazon already cut. Just need the number on the key. Cost more than getting one made. I think you can get blanks on Amazon also. I would also like to know the proper torque for the wheels, axle ubolts and fifth wheel pin hanger bolts.

 

[TucsonJim]

The brakes should be adjusted every 3,000 miles. This is normal maintenance and is not covered by the warranty. You can probably estimate around $100 for a brake adjustment. I do it myself. It's not very hard to do. This video shows you how to adjust the brakes and talks about torqueing the wheels. On my 337, I torque the wheels to approximately 100 lb-ft of torque with a clicker style torque wrench.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...&mid=8AE2FFC4BD3D7063DC498AE2FFC4BD3D7063DC49

 

[WhittleBurner]

Last year at the rally we had new backing plates put on at Lippert. They have self adjusting brakes on them. If I'm not mistaken I think it ran us about $250.00. They were running a special for the rally.I know longer worry about our brakes getting out of adjustment.

 

[Paul & Deb]

Last year at the rally we had new backing plates put on at Lippert. They have self adjusting brakes on them. If I'm not mistaken I think it ran us about $250.00. They were running a special for the rally.I know longer worry about our brakes getting out of adjustment.

That seems like $250 well spent! Do they adjust when you back up?

 

[TucsonJim]

I replaced my manual adjusting brakes with Lippert self adjusting brakes. These brakes adjust during "forward" stopping! For my 337, the part numbers are:

296651 (2 each) and 296652 (2 each). The price directly from Lippert is $93.23 each. But I found the exact same brakes at Camping World for $67.98 each. That was $271.92 plus tax. I didn't have to pay shipping since I purchased them at our local Camping World in Tucson. Installing them was very easy. They come complete and just require that you cut the wires, remove the five bolts, pull off the assembly and install the new ones. The brakes come with the wire connectors and five new bolts. I also repacked my wheel bearings and installed new grease seals at the same time.

Here's a link to some information on Lippert's FORWARD adjusting brakes.
http://lci1.com/self-adjusting-brakes

Jim

Note: The 337 has a 6,000# axle with 12"x2" brakes. If you have another axle, you may have different brakes and you should check with Lippert for the correct application. If you need to check with them, be very specific that you want the forward adjusting brakes and not their standard self adjusting brakes.

 

[GDRV Service]

You can buy the keys on Amazon already cut. Just need the number on the key. Cost more than getting one made. I think you can get blanks on Amazon also. I would also like to know the proper torque for the wheels, axle ubolts and fifth wheel pin hanger bolts.

Hi @J Weir,

- Please refer to the "Pre-Travel Information" section of your Reflection owner manual for wheel lug torque (it varies by wheel)
- U-bolts: 70 ft/lbs
- Spring hangers: 50 ft/lbs

Best regards,
~ Janice

 

[GDRV Service]

Last thing, when I got my solar installed, they accidently broke my basement key and I'm having a hard (impossible through 4 states so far) time finding a blank that can be cut to fit my RV. A good problem, kinda. Anyone know where to get these keys made?

Hi @ctangolf,

If you haven't been able to replace your basement key yet, please feel free to contact your dealer or our Customer Support at (574) 825-9679 for assistance.

Best regards,
~ Janice