vptinker
Ft Myers
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I have purchased a tri-axle 5th wheel trailer and will be hauling it 1500 miles in about a month. Questions will all 3 axles have brakes on the wheels and do electric brakes seize up from sitting. It had new barkes about 4 years ago but has not been hauled since.
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TubaPete
Comstock Park, MI
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Yes, all should have brakes, and no, electric brakes won't normally seize from sitting.
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wittmeba
Lat: 37.199309, Lon: -80.09525, Va
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vptinker wrote:I have purchased a tri-axle 5th wheel trailer and will be hauling it 1500 miles in about a month. Questions will all 3 axles have brakes on the wheels and do electric brakes seize up from sitting. It had new barkes about 4 years ago but has not been hauled since.
Agree with TubaPete. The best way to check to see if all wheels have brakes is look for 2 small wires running into each backing plate.
You may want to consider brake service after sitting that long without use.
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dubdub07
Omaha, Nebraska
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I see you are in FLA....so, lots of salt and corrosion. Once you pull it and the tires rotate once, you will know. Even if they are, they will break free. Biggest concern would be....do they work? If you have three axles, that equates to lots of weight and much needed stopping power. I would drive it down the road nice and slow and after a mile or two pull over and check it. Go back and smell the brakes. No smell? Good to go......after back on the road, tap the brake controller only, see if you feel the trailer pulling and if you feel a strange one sided pull. That way you can see if all six are working. Before you stop, drag the brake controller real easy going slow for a 100 yards. Get out real quick and roll under your 5er. Put your hand close to the drums on all six, (dont touch, might be hot!) and see if you feel heat from all six. If you do, they are all working.
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BIG RIG GUY
Milton Ontario
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Brake service and wheel bearing service for sure. General inspection on the suspension components and mounts. Also inspect tires, pressure, cracks etc etc.
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cwit
Upstate New York
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I would pull drums and pack bearings the bearings may be froze to the races where the pressure was.4 years is a long time and this will cover you on the brakes to. Whenever I park my camper for a long time I take some of the weight off the axles.
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Pickle2
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Yes, as "cwit" stated, I would be more worried about the bearings than the breaks.
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DmaxWW
Oklahoma
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I don't think you'll have a problem, my dad let a 5th wheel sit outside for 5 years that was almost new, I picked it up and towed it home pretty slow, then went in to a tire dealer I use and had the tires replaced and the bearings and brakes checked. They told me that everything looked like new, nothing needed to be done. I spent a few bucks for nothing but peace of mind.
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Bull Rider
Washington, The State
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Before you get out on the road, I'd suggest that you warm up the brakes. They will seem grabby and jerky until they get warm (hot)and and then they will (should) smooth out. I do this by feeding in a little manual brake controller as I'm easing down the road. Slow speed and easy on the manual feed. I'd repack the bearing too.
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