Loaded question: avg miles per set of brake pads

[John]

I know that this is a loaded question, but I'm interested in your input. The question is: About how many miles do you get out of a set of trailer brake pads?

I'm talking about normal usage, not over heating them on descending mountain passes. I also know there are many different variables, I'm just looking for an avg. I do check the brakes and grease the bearings before any long trip.

John

[Inland RV Center, In]

John.
Historically, the 12 inch round magnet brakes on a tandem axle, normal towing, last about 18000 to 20000 miles.
The oval magnet brakes last a little long, about 20000 to 22000 miles, again average.
The magnets are always the first things that wear out.
The shoes will last 3 to sometimes 4 times as long as the magnets.
Again these are averages.
When magnets wear beyond their design limit, they can start scoring the armature face of the drum, as well as you risk getting into the magnet coil of wire. When that happens, brakes will short out and depending on how your rig is wired, the brakes are gone.
Not every brake shop can turn the armature plate faces of the drums, so you usually must find a machine shop.

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com
airstreamcandy.com

[John]

Andy,

Thanks for reminding me about the magnets and for the avg.
John