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09-23-2003, 02:38 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 19
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Brakes 101 - need all the help I can get!
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
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09-23-2003, 03:08 PM
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#2
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3 Rivet Member 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 158
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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.
__________________
Greg
1976 Soveriegn 31'
F250 Turbo 7.3L Diesel
WBCCI # 3516
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09-23-2003, 04:35 PM
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#3
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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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)
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09-23-2003, 04:43 PM
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#4
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Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
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09-23-2003, 08:18 PM
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#5
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1 Rivet Member 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 19
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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
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09-23-2003, 10:22 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master 

, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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Brakes
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.
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09-23-2003, 10:47 PM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 71
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I bought all my brake parts here in Cincinnati-stock Kelsey-Hayes from the "Hitching Post"....all they do is trailer stuff...geof
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09-24-2003, 04:53 AM
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#8
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1 Rivet Member 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 19
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Thank you all for your advice.
Kristin
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09-24-2003, 11:06 AM
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#9
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Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,085
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Brakes 101 - need all the help I can get!
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
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC/Pride Streamers/Wisconsin-UP Unit (Primary)/Missouri Greater Ozark Unit (Affiliate Member) #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
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09-24-2003, 06:25 PM
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#10
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1 Rivet Member 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 19
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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
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10-06-2003, 01:53 AM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 52
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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.
__________________
Mike
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10-06-2003, 05:31 AM
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#13
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1 Rivet Member 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 19
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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
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10-06-2003, 05:39 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master 
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 949
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Quote:
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.
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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
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10-06-2003, 06:53 AM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 52
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Quote:
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
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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.
__________________
Mike
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