doingh
Anaheim, CA
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Joined: 08/09/2011
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I have a 2005 Keystone Everest 323p 13,900lb gross GVW, which the brakes needed replaced on. Also just for reference the fiver has never had any brake work done other than adjustments. We are also not huge mileage travelers.
Here is where things get a bit dicey. I called the local trailer supply and they recommended that you replace the entire brake assembly, backing plate and all. So I removed the assembly and took it to the parts store to compare with my new unit. When I got there I showed the salesperson the assembly and didn’t tell him my weight rating. I figured the parts would speak for themselves. Regardless he came back with the parts and the box had a 5200lb per axle rating on it. At that point I let him know that it was the wrong part and I needed the 7,000 pound per axle assembly. He said he would be happy to, but the unit I gave him was a 5,200 lb. He went and got the 7000 lb assembly and started to show me the differences between the units. The most tangible differences was the way the brake layout was and also the magnet on the unit had black wires instead of white (Black is for 7,000 and white is 5,200). Both units use the same drum and the bolt patterns are the same, so you basically can use either one on the same axle. He also stated he sees this scenario from manufacturers using under rated brakes often enough. How and why can they get away with this I will never know? How is this even legal?
Another interesting thing about this story is the axle on my Everest is pre 1998. My unit has a 2.125 inch ID grease seal and after 1998 they went to a 2.225 inch ID seal. Why are they putting a pre 1998 axle on a 2005 rig? It just doesn’t seem right.
Has anybody else seen this on their rigs, or have an explanation? I am going to give Keystone a call on Monday to get there side of the story and I will post whatever I find out.
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kaydeejay
SE Michigan, USA
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Joined: 07/26/2004
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Easy! If your rig has a 25% pin ratio, the pin weight would be around 3500#.
Subtract 3500# from the trailer GVWR and you have a net "on the wheels" weight of 10,400# - EXACTLY the combined rating of your brakes.
Yes, if they are 5200# units, they are loaded to 100% of capacity, but before you slam Keystone you might want to check your numbers.
If you DO replace the brakes totally (for which I question the need!) then go for the 7000# ones. I doubt there is much cost difference.
FWIW my 1999 fiver has had two replacement sets of shoes and one set of new magnets in it's entire life. (Plus one set of bearings - seals are replaced each time I take the drum off)
Original back-plates and drums are still on it.
Keith J.
1999 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver.
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD CC/SB/DA 2WD, LBZ air cleaner, 52 gal Titan tank, Bilsteins, Line-X, Westin steps, Prodigy, Retrax cover, 16K Superglide, 5th-Airborne pin-box, Multi-vex mirrors, TST TPMS.
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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I think you may have gotten some bad information. The 5200 thru 6000 pound rated axles can have the same brakes. Also 6K and 7K axles can have the same brakes. It all depends. My 6K axles have the 12 X 2-1/4 brakes.Again according to who? The spindle diameter (seal ID) is totally dependent on axle manufacturers. Your fiver could have Dexter/AlKo or one of a couple of different axles under it from the factory, including Lippert. Since this is such a concern to you why did you not change everything to disc brakes and eliminate for antique braking system altogether?
Donn,Lorri,Max (rescued Lab)
Saigon International Airport 1966/67
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45Ricochet
North Idaho
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Joined: 09/04/2009
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I really doubt a 13,900 GVWR 5er would have a 3500 lb pin weight. Having said that I would go out and look at your axles, dimes to donuts they are 6k axles.
Without mentioning names, certain companies it was standard business using 6k axles which barely covered the shipping weight. They had a CCW (weight you add) less than 1000 lbs  Many folks didn't realize it and were running well above their axle ratings.
06 Dodge 3500 CC LB Laramie 4x4 Dually 5.9 Cummins 325/610 48RE Jacobs brake Smarty Jr 
GVWR 12,200 Payload 4580
06 Grand Junction 34' High profile 15500 GVWR 3200 pin Mor/ryde 5500 Onan genny Dual A/C
27' Hallett 502, 500HP
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georgej
Canby, Oregon
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I upgraded my 6000lb axles brakes with the stronger magnets(black wire)and it made a big difference in braking performance.I beleive the number installed was K23-181-00.One of the best upgrades for the money.Cost with shipping was around $200 for all 4 axles.
PS 5er came with 6000lb axles and had brake assemblies with white wires.
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WI Bowhunter
Shiocton, WI
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I sell dexter brand brakes. The white whire usually designates 5200-6000# rating. So if they are dexter brand brakes, they would have been good up to 6k. The 7K brakes would also fit the same mounting.
Keep the Shiny Side Up!
2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3 V8
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overthehillbill
Patterson, Ca.
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You would have to have a basement full of boat anchors to have 3500# pin weight with a 13,900# fiver.
Bill
'08 Cedar Creek 32TK, 35'9", 13,990#
'01 F-250,Lariat, 7.3L, SC, Auto, LB, JW Towmaster Tranny, 6.0L Tranny cooler, DP custom tunes, 4" Turbo back exhaust, Auto Meter Gauges, Firestone Air Bags. '07 Headlights and Grille, Prodigy P-3.
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kaydeejay
SE Michigan, USA
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overthehillbill wrote:You would have to have a basement full of boat anchors to have 3500# pin weight with a 13,900# fiver. That's a pin ratio of 25.1%. Certainly high end of the normal 15%-25% range, but definitely possible.
The "average" 20% pin would be 2780# leaving 11,120# on the axles. If, as WI Bowhunter says, they are actually 6000# axles, the OP is 880# inside the axle ratings and should have no issue with Keystone.
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MegaDodge
Ontario, Canada
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I have a 2003 Everest 323P and the axles are 6000 lbs.
Dry weight was 11800.
GVW is 14100.
CCC is 2300 lbs.
Loaded for the winter I am around 13000 lbs. and the pin weight is 2500 lbs.
I agree with you that the brakes could be better. If you go anywhere near real mountains be sure to have an exhaust brake (PacBrake) installed.
MegaDodge
Dodge CTD 1 ton. 5 speed.
2003 Everest 323P 5th wheel 13000 pounds ready to roll. .
"An honest man is the guy who does the right thing when nobody's looking"
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