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Roadtoaster · 08-09-2010, 10:40 AM

I wish I could answer the question but can only go by what was said. At the service desk, they did not check my VIN number against a list. I was standing with the tech when he opened the cover where the actuator is mounted. He immediately said "good news, yours isn't involved". I'll talk to Chris Burch and get back with everyone

Roadtoaster · 08-09-2010, 10:50 AM

Chris Burch confirmed only the 2nd version is involved in the recall. Use your own judgment.

DnS · 08-09-2010, 01:38 PM

Does anybody know what they are replacing them with?

hookedonclassic · 08-09-2010, 02:30 PM

Well, the brake failure was not anything new to me. Read this thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f439...own-55328.html

I've made contact with Ewald's in Milwaukee to get the ball rolling as I want a refund of over a grand for the expense of replacing the Actibake that failed multiple times for me. I had it at the factory twice with their response being it was the brake controller doing it. It still did it after I put on a new P3. I replaced Actibrake with a Dextler unit.

Would this be a good time to use the phrase "I told you so".

craftsman · 08-09-2010, 03:03 PM

I had both of these units fail. Version one failed the day I brought my 07 Classic home. Called the dealer , Actibrake and Airstream the same day. Actibrake overnighted version two and I installed it with instructions by phone. Version two failed but not before frying my Ford in dash brake controller at a cost of $800.00. Just spent $1500.00 for brake work on my F350. I'm pretty easy on brakes but the dealer says wear was premature for the mileage. I did tow the Airstream from N.C. to the dealer in N.J witn a failed actuator so no brakes .Colonial installed a Dexter actuator .

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

i have read reports of FAILED UNITS from both generations of actib' stuff...

but for those who wanna know which is which...

this is version ONE

Attachment 108398

this is version TWO

Attachment 108399

version TWO is LARGER that ONE, and has a bigger fluid reservoir...

but ONE has the brains above the fluid reservoir.

cheers
2air'

kfrere · 08-10-2010, 07:02 PM

We have version 2 actuator in our 2008 classic and AS confirmed by phone today that it's part of the recall. They recommended we drive to the Camping World in Oakwood, GA (175 miles away) for inspection.
I've been following this thread, and need to ask some very basic questions: How do you know short of having no brakes while you are driving that the unit has failed? Someone said it failed while parked at their house. How did you know that? My trailer is sitting in an enclosed shed plugged into shore power. Absent something smoking or blowing up I don't think I would know if this thing was broken.
Can someone explain this part a little more? Do I need to be scared to death to tow this trailer 175 miles? Will I get any warning?
Sorry to be so ignorant, but I promise I can be taught!

2airishuman · 08-10-2010, 07:20 PM

this is by NO MEANS an experience opinion, so don't bank it....

but, i don't think there is ONE narrow set of clues to the failure...

short of smoke or hydraulic fluid dripping.

and apparently the actuator can display failure in one of 2 ways...

1. no brakes (when the tv brakes are in use) or...

2. FULL ON brakes without using the tv brakes...

#1 is less of an IMMEDIATE split second danger since MOST tv that are adequately equipped can slow the trailer down.

an experienced driver will quickly realize the trailer brakes are NOT working (with the longer/heavier streams)...

and slow down, then drive accordingly and directly somewhere for help.

#2 is more of a concern (in my view) because FULL sudden braking by the trailer when not expected, could lead to tires skidding...

and other sphincter activating surprises.

clearly anyone with INTERMITTENT brake function should pay attention to the signals.

((see questions and answers posted in blue in my earlier posts and #20,21,27,28 ))

and if PULLING the breakaway pin doesn't activate the pump 'normally' that's a sign to be aware of during hookups.

i am guessing the failure rate is SMALL but the potential is real.

and they've now identified WHY this MIGHT happen.

a reasonably mechanical owner could LOOK at the online schematics for the BOX and figure out HOW to look for leaks...

but that's not a substitute for a careful inspection.

of course is THAT (a careful inspection) possible at CW?...

i personally would NOT got there, but instead head to AoA in searcy, or st louie, or j/c.

cheers
2air'

slowmover · 08-10-2010, 08:08 PM

The operation of both of these units was affected by air locks in the hydraulic system, earth connections, transient currents from DC equipment, the proximity of AC cables and incompatability with some brake controllers.

(Thanks for this, clarifies the history)

kfrere · 08-11-2010, 07:10 AM

We have to travel next week from Knoxville, TN to Chicago. Route is N on I-75, then I-64W, then I-65N. Might as well drop the AS off along the way if anyone can recommend a shop along that route to be trusted with this actuator work. Have emailed AS the same question, but, it's Wednesday and I need to get working on an appointment.

**GCinSC2** · 08-11-2010, 08:01 AM

Hopefully this will explain the inspection procedure.

2airishuman · 08-11-2010, 08:19 AM

excellent!

exactly what we needed to see.

thanks for posting.

cheer
2air'

**GCinSC2** · 08-12-2010, 10:10 AM

I just got the word, my actuator passed the inspection test performed at an authorized AS facility.

I also just asked my dealer to quote on a replacement actuator. I'm not comfortable about the idea that it is not leaking now so it's OK to put back on the road. If it is a known potential problem that has been identified, well, I don't like that risk.

This job is well within my talents and I'm sure I could try to beat the dealer price on a new actuator, but my expereince with asking someone else to install parts that I purchased and brought to them is the begining of a recipie for trouble. When I take my wife out to dinner, we don't hand the steaks to the waiter and ask the chef to cook them for us.

If I don't like the deal, then it comes home and I start on it with my plans.

ScottW · 08-12-2010, 10:37 AM

kfrere,
My unit failed while parked at home. It failed in the "ON" mode, ie, the pump was running - engaging the brakes. If I'd been on the road, the brakes would probably have locked up, just like pulling the breakaway pin. You can hear the pump run.

Al - K4GLU · 08-12-2010, 10:54 AM

Believe someone asked earlier about trailers upgraded to disc brakes by Airstream and whether they would get the recall notice. At least in my case the answer is yes - had disc brakes installed on my 2007 20' Safari by Airstream and yesterday when I got my monthly mail it included the recall notice. I no longer have the trailer - was traded in at Colonial. Hopefully they've notified the new owner of the potential problem.

nickmeloy · 08-12-2010, 03:32 PM

I am confused by the wording in the recall. Is the recall on a "controller", or is it on the "actuator"? Our 30 ft. 2006 classic has the ActiBrake actuator, and it just failed this week.

F. A. Meloy
08/12/2010

2airishuman · 08-12-2010, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickmeloy

I am confused by the wording in the recall...

yeah they appear to be using these 2 words interchangeably...

BUT if u scan the thread it's clearly the gizmo mounted on the TONGUE that looks like a GRAY BOX.

that's the actuator and reservoir and circuit board all in one unit...
_____________

cheers
2air'

2airishuman · 08-12-2010, 04:46 PM

looks like there is/WAS a RELATED recall on some of these trailers

equipped with DEXTER branded calipers...

2007 AIRSTREAM CLASSIC RECALL FOR SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

this apparently involved only 22? units and was EARLY in the transition from kodiak to dexter...

built from FEB 2 MAY 2006.

so i suspect notifications went out to ALL those units,

but just in case you were sleeping....

see the link above.

cheers
2air'

nickmeloy · 08-12-2010, 06:58 PM

My confusion continues to increase, relative to the recall. The actuator shown in the Airstream inspection referance is not the model actuator that is installed on my trailer.

I tried to email and call Active Technology at the Iowa address. The email was returned as undeliverable, and the phone number does not work.

I will call AS tomorrow to see where I stand.

F. A. Meloy
08/12/2010

2airishuman · 08-12-2010, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickmeloy

My confusion continues to increase, relative to the recall...

see post #20....actibrake won't be returning ANY calls, they're OUT OF BIZ.

see post #39....it is the 2nd PICTURE (gray box) that's being inspected.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f439...tml#post881089

IF YOU HAVE the whitish box with the pretty RED and BLUE lettering,

the first picture of post #39, it is NOT the one they're drillin' holes into...

if you are still confused, sell the trailer....

((that would be the silver thing right behind the f-250))

cheers
2air'

**GCinSC2** · 08-12-2010, 07:18 PM

nickmeloy,

Can you see a brand name? Does it look like one of the two versions that 2air put the pictures up? Maybe take a pic and post it here, someone should be able to ID your unit.

Mine is the rectangular grey body, I think it is identifed as the 2nd version in the pics.

RE: post above this one, 2air is in rare form tonight and I'll swap your confusion for my passed the test recall unit, OK, I'll even ship it.

Good luck.