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Woosch · 04-07-2014, 10:26 AM

Doing our shakedown for the season. With about five or ten miles to go I noticed that I couldn't maintain speed. Then everything was fine and then it happened again. Thought it was do to some engine problems I've been having. Got to our destination and could smell the brakes. Wheels were hot. (all four of them). Got out and noticed that you could hear the acuator engaging on its own for about fifteen seconds then stopping. This continued even after shutting down the engine. Pulled the lever in the Prodigy and it stopped engaging by itself.

Any ideas? Got about ninety mile drive to get to the dealership.

Inland RV Center, In · 04-07-2014, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woosch

Doing our shakedown for the season. With about five or ten miles to go I noticed that I couldn't maintain speed. Then everything was fine and then it happened again. Thought it was do to some engine problems I've been having. Got to our destination and could smell the brakes. Wheels were hot. (all four of them). Got out and noticed that you could hear the acuator engaging on its own for about fifteen seconds then stopping. This continued even after shutting down the engine. Pulled the lever in the Prodigy and it stopped engaging by itself.

Any ideas? Got about ninety mile drive to get to the dealership.

From your description, sounds like the brake controller has a mind of it's own, but all BAD.

Replacing the controller should fix the issue.

Andy

wkerfoot · 04-07-2014, 10:51 AM

Or it could be a bad actuator. What actuator do you have?

Bill

HowieE · 04-07-2014, 11:09 AM

The first thing I would do is put a volt meter across the output wire of the controller and try to reproduce the effect.

If it happens again and there is no voltage showing on the meter it is in the Actuator. Voltage it is in the Controller.

Depending on the length of time and amount of force the brakes were applying you might consider removing one or two of the brake drums and inspect the spindles and bearings for color and the bearing grease. Heat can cause some problems in that area.

dznf0g · 04-07-2014, 04:27 PM

HowieE, I think he has E over H discs. Weren't they standard on Classics in '07?

HowieE · 04-07-2014, 04:32 PM

Yes from his description I assume he has el/hy.

My comments were to determine where the problem is before just changing out things.

J. Morgan · 04-07-2014, 05:07 PM

Check the break away switch too.

It isn't uncommon for the ends of the plastic insert to break or wear away.

Woosch · 04-07-2014, 06:08 PM

Actibrake acuator. Hydraulic over electric. Checked the wiring to the breakaway switch and it looked fine. Really out of my league for inspecting brake systems. May need to get someone to come at look at it.

**GCinSC2** · 04-07-2014, 06:20 PM

Was your ActiBrake inspected as a part of the actuator recall? The grey plastic rectangular was the recalled version.

J. Morgan · 04-07-2014, 06:39 PM

FWIW if the need arises, through much trial and error I found the Dexter hyd actuator to be the most reliable and durable over the long term.

NevadaGeo · 04-07-2014, 08:32 PM

Check to see if your controller is in the Hydraulic mode. If it is in the electric drum mode, it will continually cycle on every 15 seconds or so. Set it to Hydraulic mode and see if that helps. (been there, done that)

Woosch · 04-08-2014, 09:44 AM

Actibrake was inspected. The unit is in hydraulic mode.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed. We REALLY appreciate the input.

overlander63 · 04-08-2014, 10:08 AM

I have seen this on the Actibrake units. The brakes will apply, and sometimes not release until the wires to the actuator are cut.
Since Actibrake is out of business, the fix is to replace the actuator with another brand.

AtomicNo13 · 04-08-2014, 10:15 AM

I use and highly recommend the Carlisle 1600 brake actuator.
It has given me 150000 trouble free miles split between my 2 Airstreams.

overlander63 · 04-08-2014, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

I use and highly recommend the Carlisle 1600 brake actuator.
It has given me 150000 trouble free miles split between my 2 Airstreams.

Carlisle and Dexter both make good actuators. The Dexter unit is what Airstream uses when they install disc brakes, and is what we use at the dealership when we do an upgrade. The Carlisle is just as good, and costs less, but the Dexter is something dealerships may be more familiar with if you have a problem. Check prices, and decide if the (I think it is a couple hundred dollars) cost difference is worth the POSSIBLE better service if needed.

J. Morgan · 04-08-2014, 05:50 PM

Thanks for the heads up in the Carlisle units, I will have to try one next time I need to replace one.

4RXLA · 04-08-2014, 10:19 PM

I second the Carlisle.

NevadaGeo · 04-08-2014, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woosch

Actibrake was inspected. The unit is in hydraulic mode.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed. We REALLY appreciate the input.

I meant check the controller in your truck, that has to be in the hydraulic mode. The controller can revert to electric drum mode by itself, then the electric drum mode in the controller will activate the hydrulic brake activator every 15 seconds, by it self until you unplug the umbilical. I know because mine does it.

Woosch · 04-21-2014, 06:38 PM

Update. The guilty party was the brake controller. After the discussion with this thread we have decided to change the brake actuator soon. Thanks for the help everyone!