Brakes replacement

[Luke Grisott]

We have taken our Airstream into the dealership to have the brakes replaced. We own a 2018 25FT FBT International serenity. First quote was $1900. They said they were in stock. And we should have our trailer back in time to go on a rally we had scheduled the following Thursday.
They called us on Monday said they didn’t have them in stock and would have to order them. Not a problem we said. But it was going cost substantially more. $683 each . With labor totaling $4300. Has anyone ever paid this amount for this type of work on their 25FT airstream ?
We are still in shock at the price but what can you do.. we were just wondering what our Airstream forum community would have to say about it.
Hope everyone is healthy and safe and planning adventures.
#22624 The Silver Buffalo

[tbrowne]

I can't imagine how they came up with that price but I'd retrieve the trailer and take it elsewhere. Any small garage or trailer repair shop can handle the job. Airstream brakes aren't unique or different from other travel trailers. The brakes and axles are made by Dexter and are used in a wide variety of trailers. The actual cost from an ethical shop should be about a quarter of what you've been quoted. Call around!

[richard5933]

I paid $640 for four new brake assemblies installed last spring at OODM.

[Glenritas]

Haul that out of there ! ASAP !

Find a trailer repair shop and get another quote .

I my opinion if you have drum brakes and no damage to the drums or magnets , loaded backing plates r&r on four wheels would be under $ 1000 even if they machined the drums .

[AlbertF]

As a DIYer, I wouldn’t think of spending that much.

A quick web search shows that traditional electric brake backing plates with linings and magnets can be had for $66 each. Self-adjusting are 2x as much - $133 each.

If combined with axle servicing (bearing repack), four new brakes might fairly cost up to about $800- $1,000 with labour. If you need new drums (not likely with a relatively new trailer) add $400 to $600 depending on the quality of the components. New drums would add nothing to the labour cost.

[n2916s]

I think you are being robbed. No more than $600 in parts involved and maybe four hours of labor.

[kscherzi]

On the other hand inflation is now out of control. Maybe this is the new normal.[emoji53]

[CMHM]

When it comes to brakes you have to be more specific, because you’ll quickly see those people telling you can do it yourself and buy the parts for $60.

If this is a new trailer, with the Dexter Nev-R Adjust systems of brakes and drums you are looking at $600 per wheel plus labor, and I just paid close to $4,000 for the whole job.

There was a lengthy thread I started that might be useful:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f43...ms-229935.html