Long-time lurker, first-time poster. You guys have been very helpful, now I would appreciate your thoughts on this one.<br /><br />I bought a new King trailer in '97 for my 18' Seaswirl. Nice trailer with (what I now know) are Tie Down disc/surge brakes. About 2500 total miles on the trailer. Never in salt.<br /><br />Every year we take a trip to one of our favorite lakes, about 200 miles, the last 40 VERY rough road in wilderness. This year, like every year, I got the boat and trailer checked out by a local boat shop, with specific instructions to make sure that the trailer was OK with explanation as to the conditions to be encountered.<br /><br />While on the highway, about 150 miles after check out by mechanic, left rear brake starts billowing smoke. (Had been going about 65 mph over 4-laner, mild to moderate hills) Pull over with fire extinguisher in hand - no flame, but brake fluid all over the place. Limp slowly into town. Mechanic says that there was no evidence of any brake pad, brake pistons on rotor, brakes shot. Right side had less than 10% of the pad remaining.<br /><br />The local mechanic does some research and finds out that there had apparently been a number of problems with this specific design of brake and that the manufacturer had replaced many of them. (3 year warranty - mine were obviously past the warranty period.) He obtained a new set of the replacement design brakes and installed them. I was out $550, a hotel room, and a day on the lake.<br /><br />I get home and bring the old parts and invoice to my home town mechanic. They say, yes, they replaced many of those brakes in the past, but that mine were fine when they left their hands. While I know that they checked the fluid level, tire pressure, etc. (documented on work ticket), I have nothing to tell me that they actually looked at the brake pads. They suggest contacting the trailer manufacturer.<br /><br />I did so; King Trailer says that yes, many of those brakes were replaced, under warranty, but there was never a "recall". I haven't yet contacted Tie Down, but I will do so this next work week.<br /><br />I have no interest in making a "federal case" out of this, but I do believe that when I ask/make out a work ticket for something to be checked out I should have some reasonable assurance that it is proper and safe.<br /><br />Wouldn't it be reasonable to expect that if the mechanic had inspected the brakes and saw that the pads were worn to such an extent, that they would have recommended replacement?<br /><br />Is it at all likely for the pads to have become so seriously worn after 150 miles to have gone from "OK" to totally gone? (By the way, yes, I do use the reverse lock-out when backing.) <br /><br />If the mechanic has had previous experience that a particular trailer/brake system has had problems (to the point where that shop said they no longer carry that manufacturer because of the history of bad brakes), is it not reasonable to expect them to have said something if they saw such a system? (They said the different brakes are readily identifiable by the color of the calipers.) <br /><br />Is it reasonable to expect that a properly inspected brake system like this would not fail like it did after only 150 or so miles?<br /><br />Your thoughts/opinions are welcome. As I hope I've indicated, I want to be fair about this. I'm not out to put the screws to anyone, but in the same vein, if my expectations are reasonable, then I think someone (who?) should step up and reimburse me. Fortunately, there was no accident and no one was hurt. If there had been -- well, some one else would likely be asking these questions in a somewhat more formal way!<br /><br />Thank you.<br /><br />RPack
