Brakes 101 - need all the help I can get!

[66Sovereign]

My husband and I have been the proud owners of a 1966 30' Land Yacht Sovereign for a whole ten days. Before he left town on business, we dropped the trailer off at our mechanic's to check the brakes. We have a good relationship with the mechanic and respect his work, but he does not have the time to do research and track down parts. When I talked to him today, he said he'd make a list of parts he needed, but we would need to track them down and order them. I've read so much useful information on the forums already on a variety of subjects. I don't even really know what I need to know to get the correct parts.

Thanks for your help, hope to attend some rallys in the future.


Kristin

[Fun-Lovin]

Contact your local rv dealer. Chances are your airstream has kelsey hayes brakes, and the local dealer will have a book with a listing of the parts for them.

[overlander63]

There is also the mail-order alternative. You can call Andy at Inland RV or go to www.inlandrv.com ,and order the parts you need. They will ship them to you. Depending on how much of a hurry you are in.
Terry
(in Florida)

[john hd]

try this


http://www.pioneerwheel.com/pagec.htm


john

[66Sovereign]

Thanks for the replies, they made me think of more questions! I do think the brakes are Kelsey Hayes as we have a manual on the brakes from the original owner (at least two subsequent owners before we bought it.) Are the brakes standard for the model and year? Are there improvements since 66 that we should incorporate into the new brakes? Finally, the Kelsey Hayes manual recommends repacking the bearings when having the brakes done - any tips on this or anything else you'd advise we do while it is in the shop and torn apart?

Thanks again,

Kristin

[markdoane]

Pioneer Wheel (Minneapolis) is a good outfit to work with. I'm getting all my parts from them. I don't think there have been any improvements or changes in electric brakes in the last 40 years. Controllers have changed quite a bit, but backing plates, armatures, etc are basically the same.

[geof]

I bought all my brake parts here in Cincinnati-stock Kelsey-Hayes from the "Hitching Post"....all they do is trailer stuff...geof

[66Sovereign]

Thank you all for your advice.

Kristin

[overlander64]

Greetings Kristin!

Welcome to the world of Vintage Airstreaming!

There is another potential solution to your brake question. When my '64 Overlander needed new brakes it was actually cheaper to purchase fully loaded backing plates that included new magnets, all attaching hardware, and shoes. The shoes were then machined to match the drums which were also turned for the truest possible surface.

I have seen these "fully loaded" backing plates at most of the RV dealers that I have visited as well as through a local specialty trailer builder. It is one way of being sure that all of the parts are compatible and of the current design.

Good luck with your project!

Kevin

[66Sovereign]

Thanks for your reply. Hmmm, more to consider. Sounds like it's a good thing my husband is coming back tonight. He has far more mechanical knowledge than me. Are there any brake controllers that are considered better than others, or any in particular that we should avoid?

Kristin

[CanoeStream]

Hello Kristin -- The 'Search' function of airstreamforums is pretty helpful but I got a zillion returns on the key words 'brake' and 'controller.' (knew I would too!) What follows are titles and URLs of some pretty exhaustive threads I have saved on the subject of brake controllers. You will find various sides to some of the major products out there. Enjoy them for the experience they represent, then ask away as you wish. Welcome aboard!

What is your Brake Controller of Choice? (This is so long -- note the 2nd page)
http://www.airforums.com/forum...&threadid=3055

Is Prodigy the best brake controller?
http://www.airforums.com/forum...&threadid=5450

Prodigy Brake Controller
http://www.airforums.com/forum...&threadid=4478

Tekonsha Prodigy vs. Voyager
http://www.airforums.com/forum...&threadid=4315

[Mike76251]

My 1972 had the round magnets in it when I bought it and I had a very hard time trying to find new magnets for it.
I got fed up with the search and went to a local 18-Wheeler supply house (named Roughneck Trailers) and bought new brake assemblies.
Now everything on my brakes is new and I have the oval magnets that are very easy to find.
The cost was around $400 for both axles.

[66Sovereign]

Hi,

My husband ended up getting the parts through an airstream dealer about two hours from Chicago (Gilman, IL). Not the cheapest route I imagine, but he wanted to take it on a YMCA campout this past weekend with two of our daughters so getting it fast and getting right the first time was important. We got it back from the mechanic Friday afternoon, I did some more cleaning (it was lived in by someone who smoked and, at some point, mice before we got it) and they had a good trip. Short, but everything with the trailer went well.

Thanks again for all the help. I'm sure I'll be needing more. I saw there is a midwest rally in the works for 2004.... maybe we'll be able to go.

Kristin

[Chas]

Originally posted by Mike76251
My 1972 had the oval magnets in it when I bought it and I had a very hard time trying to find new magnets for it.
I got fed up with the search and went to a local 18-Wheeler supply house (named Roughneck Trailers) and bought new brake assemblies.
Now everything on my brakes is new and I have the round magnets that are very easy to find.
The cost was around $400 for both axles.

Mike,

You mean you originally had the round magnets and went to the ovals, correct? You did do the right thing by replacing the entire assemblies, I did my 74 Overlander this past spring.

BTW, Welcome to the forum!!

Chas

[Mike76251]

Originally posted by Chas


Mike,

You mean you originally had the round magnets and went to the ovals, correct? You did do the right thing by replacing the entire assemblies, I did my 74 Overlander this past spring.

BTW, Welcome to the forum!!

Chas

Thanks for the welcome!!!!!!
I would blame old age for that slip-up but I can't yet.....drats.
You are right..........the round jobbers were getting hard to find.
The main reason I started buying magnets (or trying to) in the beginning was that the wires going into the magnet itself kept "melting".
Once the wire corrodes or whatever, a new magnet is the only fix.
Mine should be good for 30 more years......at least they better!!


I might also add to those joining us that it is very important to replace the bolts that hold the brake assembly to the axle.
I went with metal grade-8 lock nuts. Don't ever use nylon lock nuts on these as the heat will melt the nylon.