s106300 Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Anyone else have issues with the brakes on their 2016 Elite Suites 38RSSA manufactured in the months PRIOR to the official recall? Brakes started acting up and upon inspection, DH determined linings are thin and calipers are damaged. Only 17K miles on the coach.similar experiences out there? 2010 Volvo VNL 670 D13 500 HP Ishift - "THOR" 2016 DRV Elite Suites 38RSSA - "Freya" 2012 Smart For Two - "Loki" Ron & Shelley Johnston, pilots Toy, Nika, and Piranha, feline co-pilots and Demi-gods (at least if you ask them). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sclord2002 Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Sorry to hear of your brake woes. I do not have a DRV or disc brakes but am curious as to what the recall was for and what brand of disc brakes you have......Dexter, Kodiak or Titan ? Caliper damage and excessive wear at 17k sure doesn't sound normal. What kind of caliper damage was there ? What were the symptoms that led you to suspect brake problems ? Inquiring minds want to know ? I hope you get this figured out and get back to enjoying your rig, Charlie Don't ever tell a soldier that he doesn't understand the cost of war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 The brake recall was for using the wrong bolts after the axle change to 9,000 pound axles and doesn't have anything to do with your issue. You have the gain turned up too high on your brake controller and are depending on the trailer too much to stop your unit OR you have not serviced the caliper slide pins and they are sticking or dragging and not allowing the caliper pistons to retract. 2017 Kenworth T6802015 DRV 38RSSA Elite Suites2016 Smart Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyates007 Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 agreed with the above. Caliper pins need regular attention. I lost a brake pad on my DRV lasy year and never knew it with the big truck. Took out the caliper and the rotor. These brakes work really good but need attention. Mine are Kodiak, not sure on yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobi and Dick McKee Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 I agree about the comment about the gain being too high. That being said you should check to assure the caliper assembly can be moved very slightly on the pins. If not the pads are staying in constant contact with the disk. Also what controller do you have? If it is a Prodigy 3 there is an additional setting that allows the controller to compensate for the weight of the trailer. If my memory serves me right there are 4 settings from truck heaver than trailer to trailer much heaver than truck. Although I only have a MDT I set the gain by driving about 30 and manually setting the trailer brakes. I increase gain until I can feel a tug from the trailer when I apply the manual brake. I then back it off 2 or 3 clicks. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s106300 Posted June 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 DH talked to DRV this morning and their consensus was that the Kodak brakes only last 15 to 18K miles. We are 21K lbs. Dave, I don't think Ron was aware that he had to check the gain; not being used to a fifth wheel I think he was assuming brake longevity was akin to that of a car. DRV said they are actually a GM product off of a Buick Century. 2010 Volvo VNL 670 D13 500 HP Ishift - "THOR" 2016 DRV Elite Suites 38RSSA - "Freya" 2012 Smart For Two - "Loki" Ron & Shelley Johnston, pilots Toy, Nika, and Piranha, feline co-pilots and Demi-gods (at least if you ask them). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronbo Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Since we are used to feeling the trailer brakes apply, we tend to tow with the gain too high when towing with a HDT. But first set of pads for my Kodiak brakes lasted less than a year. I replaced with ceramic pads from Oreilly. I run the gain much less now and they have lasted 2 years so far. I use a Direc Link controller and like that I can just tap a button to decrease gain for ice or rainy roads and increase it when roads are clear. Ron C. 2013 Dynamax Trilogy 3850 D3 2000 Kenworth T2000 Optimus Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s106300 Posted June 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Thanks Ronbo - helpful. We also have the Direc Link Controller which has remained on the original setting. Just got a crash course in trailer brake maintenance. Heavy equipment shop in Soldotna, AK looking at it now; probably will have to order parts and getting them here will be an issue no doubt. At least it is a nice place to be "stuck". 2010 Volvo VNL 670 D13 500 HP Ishift - "THOR" 2016 DRV Elite Suites 38RSSA - "Freya" 2012 Smart For Two - "Loki" Ron & Shelley Johnston, pilots Toy, Nika, and Piranha, feline co-pilots and Demi-gods (at least if you ask them). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobi and Dick McKee Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Ron I think DRV is blowing smoke. Thank about it, some one who travels full time would need a brake job every 15. I doubt it. We have a 2016 39DBRS3 that weighs 21k has 15k on it and the pads still look great. Just my opinion, but I would call Kodiak and ask them. I know Kodiak and Dexter are two completely different companies, but our Hitch Hiker had 45k miles on it and the pads were less than half worn. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted June 16, 2017 Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 We have about 30K on our 38RSSA right now and the brakes are about 50% worn. They will make it to about 50K easy which is acceptable to me. 2017 Kenworth T6802015 DRV 38RSSA Elite Suites2016 Smart Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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