I am new to boating so every experience is new one. We bought a 2006 Tahoe 215 last year. It came with a dual axle Trailstar trailer with brakes on the rear axle only.
On the way home yesterday, I noticed that one of the hub caps came off. I pulled over to pick it up and noticed TWO hub caps lying there. They were both coated with grease on the inside and were warm to the touch. I took a close look at the rear wheels and noticed there was black grease splattered all over the rims. The rims were piping hot. I spit on the rims and the fluid sizzled and evaporated quickly.
I contacted my dealer and they seemed to think the brakes locked up. They suggested I disconnect the brake line, wait for the rims to cool down and drive it home (I was only 2 miles from home at the time). I did as instructed and filled the rear axle with grease right away once I got home.
Today the dealer informed me that the trailer only has a 1 year warranty and it was expired. The best they could do for me would be to sell me the parts at cost, but the labor would be $78.00 per hour for whatever problem they may find.
I guess I am at a loss on where to go from here. I didn't notice any resistance when towing the trailer that would lead me to believe the brakes were engaged. I did take the trailer for a 10 mile drive today for a test drive and the rims didn't come close to getting hot.
One person has suggested to me that trailer brakes are nothing but problems and some people say "screw it" and run their trailers without them. Any comments on that?
Does anybody have any suggestions for me as far as possible damage to the axle/brakes and what I should do next?
Thanks for the help guys....
Scott
On the way home yesterday, I noticed that one of the hub caps came off. I pulled over to pick it up and noticed TWO hub caps lying there. They were both coated with grease on the inside and were warm to the touch. I took a close look at the rear wheels and noticed there was black grease splattered all over the rims. The rims were piping hot. I spit on the rims and the fluid sizzled and evaporated quickly.
I contacted my dealer and they seemed to think the brakes locked up. They suggested I disconnect the brake line, wait for the rims to cool down and drive it home (I was only 2 miles from home at the time). I did as instructed and filled the rear axle with grease right away once I got home.
Today the dealer informed me that the trailer only has a 1 year warranty and it was expired. The best they could do for me would be to sell me the parts at cost, but the labor would be $78.00 per hour for whatever problem they may find.
I guess I am at a loss on where to go from here. I didn't notice any resistance when towing the trailer that would lead me to believe the brakes were engaged. I did take the trailer for a 10 mile drive today for a test drive and the rims didn't come close to getting hot.
One person has suggested to me that trailer brakes are nothing but problems and some people say "screw it" and run their trailers without them. Any comments on that?
Does anybody have any suggestions for me as far as possible damage to the axle/brakes and what I should do next?
Thanks for the help guys....
Scott
