Loud scraping noise while driving

[Murry57]

Upon my last fall trip as I exited the expressway , I started to hear a very loud scraping noise coming from trailer... 65 Caravel. When I pulled over to look underneath to see if I was dragging something, I saw nothing. This noise continued 7 miles until I was home. I had bearings done 3 years ago.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Maria

[Lumatic]

Broken brake drum retaining spring?

[r carl]

Spin the wheels one at a time.

[Rich W]

If you had the bearings serviced 3 years ago then it has to be something to do with the brakes, assuming it's not your tow vehicle. Wheels are the only thing moving so brakes or a tire is rubbing the wheel well. Like Rcarl says, jack up each wheel and spin it. If that doesn't work, get someone to ride alongside you on a 4-lane road and listen at each side of the AS.

[Halford1]

I usually check the bearings every year when I had the pop up. I plan to do the same. If your bearings are old but regressed 3 years ago, it’s time to check the bearings.

[dhroberts]

Brake drum. Had the same problem.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Brakes are a good bet. You *should* be able to narrow it down by just rolling down the street. Stand to the left or right side and listen. At least then you are only pulling the wheel on one side.

Bob

[Murry57]

Originally Posted by dhroberts

Brake drum. Had the same problem.

Thanks, So how much can I expect to pay for new brakes on a 65 Caravel and do I have to go to local Airstream Dealer?$$$$$

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by Murry57

Thanks, So how much can I expect to pay for new brakes on a 65 Caravel and do I have to go to local Airstream Dealer?$$$$$

You don't need to go to an AS dealer, nothing special about brakes. When I searched online 3 years ago loaded backing plates (backing plate with all brake parts installed) where about the same price as the brake pads or the magnets not counting shipping. Best price I found online was about $35 each plus $30 shipping each. Unfortunately you need look at one to make sure you order the right kind.

[TG Twinkie]

Go to
etrailer.com.
Talk to one of their reps.
Good prices, good service.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

There are thousands of shops that can deal with brakes / bearings on a trailer. The parts used are very common. Anyplace that deals with trucks will have garage space big enough to handle an AS. I would always do a bit of research on *any* shop I took something ( car / truck / trailer ....) in to. There are always going to be a few that are pretty bad at what they do. That's regardless of the name on the big sign out front.

Bob

[JCWDCW]

If you're at all handy, change your own brakes by replacing the backing plates. 4 bolts and adjust the shoes ...done. Two sets of brakes at any garage will run 2 or 3 times the cost of two new back plates with all new components, not just new brake shoes. That being said, I am surprised you need new brakes after only three years. Likely a faulty shoe or spring. However you will probably need to replace the shoe that is dragging so ...back plates are the way to go. If necessary you can have the drums turned at a local machine shop that does that sort of thing. I pay $45 ea. (Canadian) for turning the drum and refacing the magnet face at an automotive parts supplier. You can do that only once before having to replace drums.

JCW

[AirMiles]

I'm not surprised about a brake failure at all. I've had two brake failures in three years. One on a 2017 Airstream and one on a 2018 Airstream. It probably depends more on how far you drive than on the number of years of use. I used Etrailer.com to buy a complete brake assembly for each failure. Sure my brakes were probably under "warranty", but for $100 and an hour of my time I was back on the road. One failed at home, one failed when I was over 1000 miles from home. When I called the three Airstream dealers near where the first "on the road" failure happened in July 2018, they told me it would be four months before they could fix it. Much easier to call Etrailer and fix the brake yourself. If you are unable to fix it yourself, find a local auto repair place that will do the job. No need to go to an RV dealer and wait four months for a repair date.

[Dashwa]

Originally Posted by Murry57

Upon my last fall trip as I exited the expressway , I started to hear a very loud scraping noise coming from trailer... 65 Caravel. When I pulled over to look underneath to see if I was dragging something, I saw nothing. This noise continued 7 miles until I was home. I had bearings done 3 years ago.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Maria

I had the same thing happen to us last October during a trip from Washington State to Arizona. Our trailer is a 2017 Classic 30’. It turned out to be a broken brake assembly. Had it repaired in Los Banos, CA. Do not continue to tow your trailer until your trailer brakes are examined. Fire could result in over heated brake drum from the friction. ��

[Laurai]

We had one floating around in one of our wheels for who knows how long. We were told we were lucky no fire started