25,000 mile checkup

[Scheinin]

It is a shame that there is no standard mileage check up for 5th wheel's as there are for automobiles. I am taking my 2016 36CKTS to Alaska and trying to figure out what routine/preventive maintenance I need to have done. I have hauled it for 22,000 miles around the Country.

I am having the original tires replaced. Other than changing the oil in the built in generator, and inspecting the brakes, does anyone else have suggestions?

Speaking of brakes, just what are electric brakes? Are they drum, like on my car?

Thanks in advance.

[njfishing]

RV electric breaks are just like the old car drum breaks and with 25,000 miles on them it probably a good idea to inspect the pads to make sure they have enough meat on them. If they wear too thin they could wear down to the rivets and you'll be forced to replace the drums too...

You're going to have to take the wheel and the drum off so you might as well inspect and re grease the bearings and replace the seals while you're at it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5ZhZBSY7hI

[dieselguy]

I'd sure take out each wheel bearing, clean, inspect, and repack as well as look over the races. Yes, your fiver brakes are drum, but not like your trucks. They are actuated by a magnet on an arm that moves an eccentric between the two brake shoes. The harder you step on your brakes more voltage is sent to the magnets (electromagnets). With 20K on your brakes ... I'd guess there won't be much left. You may have to have the drums turned as well.
There are no rivets on your fiver brake shoes ... the brake material is bonded to the metal.

[Scheinin]

Originally Posted by njfishing

RV electric breaks are just like the old car drum breaks and with 25,000 miles on them it probably a good idea to inspect the pads to make sure they have enough meat on them. If they wear too thin they could wear down to the rivets and you'll be forced to replace the drums too...

You're going to have to take the wheel and the drum off so you might as well inspect and re grease the bearings and replace the seals while you're at it.

Thank you. Actually, not me, I hire people to do that. I think the Cedar Creek comes with never lube axles.

[dieselguy]

I'm not being a smart a__, but if you hire out your maintenance work, why not just take it to a RV repair shop and have them go over it? Unless specifically asked for ... your CC has EZ lube not Never Lube axles. That's one of the bones I have to pick with EZ Lube axles ... owners think just squirt some grease in them and they go forever. Bearings need to be examined every so often ... if you're a wise man.

[MtBiker]

Brakes and bearings would be where I would start.

[Scheinin]

Originally Posted by dieselguy

I'm not being a smart a__, but if you hire out your maintenance work, why not just take it to a RV repair shop and have them go over it? Unless specifically asked for ... your CC has EZ lube not Never Lube axles. That's one of the bones I have to pick with EZ Lube axles ... owners think just squirt some grease in them and they go forever. Bearings need to be examined every so often ... if you're a wise man.

Thank you, dieselguy. When I put in a google search for RV repair shops in Great Falls, Mt, my jumping off point for Alaska, it came back with Pierce RV Supercenter - Great Falls. I had already made an appointment with them. I had hoped they change tires on RV, but they don't. So that will be done by Big O Tires in Great Falls, who handle Sailun ST tires. Thanks for the information.

[sh1pper]

Four suggestions...1) travel with another RV. If anything breaks down you have help. 2) carry an air compressor...in our 5 month tour we had a slow leak tire and kept it up until we got to Anchorage. If you are more than two years old , change your batteries. 4) Buy The Milepost. We had a great trip with our 5th wheel over 15,000 miles.

[spock123]

When are you leaving for the Alaska trip? How long will you be gone?

[Scheinin]

Originally Posted by spock123

When are you leaving for the Alaska trip? How long will you be gone?

I will be leaving Great Falls, Montana, with 20 other RVer's for three months beginning May 6, 2018.

[spock123]

Ok. You are going on a caravan to Alaska. Don’t forget to post some pictures

[goduc]

Sounds like an awesome trip. Which caravan company did you go with?

[Scheinin]

Originally Posted by spock123

Ok. You are going on a caravan to Alaska. Don’t forget to post some pictures

I post a blog of my travels: www.scheinin.com

[Scheinin]

Originally Posted by goduc

Sounds like an awesome trip. Which caravan company did you go with?

No company. A group of 20 RV organized by two couples who have previously been to Alaska.

[spock123]

I wanted to go back this year but something came up, next year for sure. It’s a fun trip. The only trouble we had was def on the truck

[Scheinin]

Originally Posted by spock123

I wanted to go back this year but something came up, next year for sure. It’s a fun trip. The only trouble we had was def on the truck

And what trouble did you have, and how do I solve it?

[spock123]

Originally Posted by Scheinin

And what trouble did you have, and how do I solve it?

Light came on that said poor quality def fluid, the light went off after a hundred miles and didn’t come back on. But I never knew if the light would come back on and I would get shut down. Bad nox sensor too. No more problems now

[spock123]

Great trip, we found the roads in Canada better that the roads in America and no trash along the road. The Canadian people were very friendly, makes us want to go back.