Poor Quality Trailer parts

[argonaut]

My trailer, like many others, uses off the shelf ALKO axles.
Disappointed today to commence my Annual pre-season service of trailer, and on all bar one of the brake shoes the linings had come off.
These are glued on linings ... and they were all with plenty of life (only 18 months years old)
Never seen linings come off like this before.

Hubs were not stuck on, shoes were not in 'brake on' position.
The only explanation I can think of is inferior quality brake shoes.

The corner damage is I assume being knocked inside drum after coming off the shoe.

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[ian h]

That's very poor quality from a major trailer supplier.
Do that not realise that boat trailers will be will be placed in salt water,

I bet you wash down after every use as well,

I would be speaking to Alko about poor quality

[Cap'n Jack]

As Ian says that's very poor quality.

Definitely have a word with Alko.

If no success, I've used these guys previously.

https://villiersservices.co.uk/index.ph ... cts_id=146

[argonaut]

I have reported to AlKo … they have acknowledged, await a response.

Annoying as I have a hub flush and drums fully rinsed immediately after launch & recovery.
So I treat them as good as can be expected.

[argonaut]

Had a reply from Al-Ko …. Those that know me, know I flush as soon as trailer comes out of the water … on launch & recovery .. Have pumped water supply in the car. I explained that in my report to them …. Their response is for first part disappointing .. the 2nd part to me shows they accept the parts are poor quality ….and I’m being unrealistic in expecting marine trailers parts to suit a marine environment.

>>>>>
Please consider that flushing of the braking system needs to occur as soon as possible after immersion into salt water (preferably immediately or at least the same day). The flushing system will then (of course) help reduce the corrosive effect of the salt-water by dilution, but it cannot flush-out everything and completely erase the fact that the brakes are being repetitively immersed into salt-water. Without prompt flushing, internal corrosion is greatly accelerated. Once salt-water starts to attack the brake shoe bonding, salt-water remains in the edges (due to the capillary effect) and it becomes progressively more difficult to flush away. The bond between the brake shoes and brake shoe liners is attacked. Corrosion attack doesn’t stop; it continues even when the trailer unit is dormant.
Please don't underestimate the aggressiveness of the environment these components operate in, or have unrealistic expectations of what they can achieve. They are not chrome-plated, stainless steel or some other exotic corrosion-resistant material. To make these sub-parts corrosion-resistant would be very cost-prohibitive. They are fundamentally the same brakes as those that are fitted to standard land-based trailer units such as caravans and commercial trailers. This makes them relatively inexpensive, due to the volumes that are produced. It is known and understood that boat-trailers used in salt-water environments will have a significantly increased requirement for service, maintenance & upkeep.

[ian h]

It seems that they are classing them as consumables which is ridiculous.

They do not appear to offer anything.
They also do not suggest much more than you are doing.
I would say that they are not fit for purpose and AL-KO know this.

I work for a car manufacture and all our parts carry a 2 year warranty.

from the email extract it does not even come across that there is any warranty.
They admit they are cheap I would say not fit for purpose.

\would be interesting to take this further.

[argonaut]

They seem to be admitting it’s a product not fit for marine trailers …. Very poor

[Ianfs]

Please consider that flushing of the braking system needs to occur as soon as possible after immersion into salt water (preferably immediately or at least the same day). The flushing system will then (of course) help reduce the corrosive effect of the salt-water by dilution, but it cannot flush-out everything and completely erase the fact that the brakes are being repetitively immersed into salt-water. Without prompt flushing, internal corrosion is greatly accelerated.

Firstly, I would ask..... "Therefore after the information you have just provided, What does your R&D or research programme suggest would be the life of the braking system if flushing the system with fresh water on the trailer after every immersion?

The reason I would ask the question in this way would be to force them to offer their advice on how long and how the braking system would be protected. At which point if they claim the brakes would last a lot longer, you could dispute their findings by suggesting you flush the system (with proof) but they have still failed.