We purchased a used 2014 Keystone Outback travel trailer less than a year ago. Previous owners were meticulous with care and maintenance and the trailer was inspected prior to purchase. We drove the trailer from Virginia to North Georgia (home), in December we took it to Florida and then again in March. On the way back home we took our time stopping at several campgrounds along the way. On what was to be our last set up before heading on home we smelled something burning! Thankfully, we were parked at the campsite and quickly spotted the smoke. My husband unplugged the cords and after closer inspection we saw that the brake wires and cables were melted. It was a Friday afternoon but we were able to get a local RV mechanic to come by the site. He confirmed that it was the brakes and assured us that we would be safe to tow the trailer to his shop just a few miles away on Monday morning. Once the mechanic was able to see them, it was apparent that the brake pads were completely gone and the hubs also in very bad shape. Nearly 2 weeks and $1400 later we went to pick up the trailer last Friday. The hubs, brakes, bearings and wiring had all been replaced. We drove maybe 1/4 mile down the road and realized that we were SMOKING again!! The shop is Georgia Truck and RV Performance in the rural area of Jackson, GA. It is a busy place apparently servicing big rigs as well as RV's. The mechanic seems to be baffled as are we!! We don't know what could have caused the problem to begin with. I have placed a 2nd call to Keystone's customer service. Buy the way, the have no record of my first call! Please, can anyone offer me anything on what might be happening. At this point I am afraid to even try to bring it home. We are planning to repair it and sell.
Second Chance said
09:32 AM Apr 30, 2018
Malfunction in the brake controller in your tow vehicle, maybe? I'm sure the mechanic checked to make sure the breakaway switch was OK. Electric brake systems on trailers are really pretty simple.
We purchased a used 2014 Keystone Outback travel trailer less than a year ago. Previous owners were meticulous with care and maintenance and the trailer was inspected prior to purchase. We drove the trailer from Virginia to North Georgia (home), in December we took it to Florida and then again in March. On the way back home we took our time stopping at several campgrounds along the way. On what was to be our last set up before heading on home we smelled something burning! Thankfully, we were parked at the campsite and quickly spotted the smoke. My husband unplugged the cords and after closer inspection we saw that the brake wires and cables were melted. It was a Friday afternoon but we were able to get a local RV mechanic to come by the site. He confirmed that it was the brakes and assured us that we would be safe to tow the trailer to his shop just a few miles away on Monday morning. Once the mechanic was able to see them, it was apparent that the brake pads were completely gone and the hubs also in very bad shape. Nearly 2 weeks and $1400 later we went to pick up the trailer last Friday. The hubs, brakes, bearings and wiring had all been replaced. We drove maybe 1/4 mile down the road and realized that we were SMOKING again!! The shop is Georgia Truck and RV Performance in the rural area of Jackson, GA. It is a busy place apparently servicing big rigs as well as RV's. The mechanic seems to be baffled as are we!! We don't know what could have caused the problem to begin with. I have placed a 2nd call to Keystone's customer service. Buy the way, the have no record of my first call! Please, can anyone offer me anything on what might be happening. At this point I am afraid to even try to bring it home. We are planning to repair it and sell.
Rob
My guess would be the breakaway switch.....