Tie Down Trailer Brake Owners - Venture Trailer Owners - Beware! - The Hull Truth

mrfritz44 · 06-25-2008, 05:07 PM

Family and I were coming home from OC, NJ two weekends ago and I heard a scraping noise as I went around a turn. Upon inspection, the right rear disc brake caliper had almost completely fallen off the trailer. It turns out that three out of four right side slider pins were missing, and the fourth (the only one holding on the right front caliper) was loose. In talking to one other Tie Down brake owner, it turns out all but two of the eight total pins were loose on his trailer.

CHECK YOUR SLIDER PINS!

Below is a link that outlines how to torque your slider pins on Tie Down disc brake systems. If the vented brake system I have does not apply directly to you, I strongly suggest you find your brake manual and inspect your slider bolts. The trailer is under warranty so Venture did send free parts, but they were reluctant to allow anyone but a certified Venture dealer do the work. The one Venture dealer close to me was reluctant to do the work based on past experience with Venture trailer components so I ended up doing it myself.

http://www.tiedown.com/pdf/c553.pdf

I've never done a brake job on anything except a Honda Accord, so I was bit apprehensive. In the end, brake jobs on this type of brake system are very easy if you follow the instructions and familiarize yourself with the components and instructions beforehand.

My entire caliper needed to be replaced based on scoring from the rotor. Had I caught this flaw earlier, it would have been a matter of tightening bolts - SO DO IT!

Anyway, hope this is helpful to someone since it was a minor headache for me. At least I can repair my own brakes if I end up in a pinch.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask on this site or at bebe@ptd.net.

Fred

EJAngler · 06-25-2008, 05:21 PM

Thanks for the tip. Tie down is a problem. Kodiak is the better choice.

EJ

onokai · 06-25-2008, 05:34 PM

Tie down stuff is junk better to replace it all with Kodiak as you will be working on it constantly until you do. Tie down is what you do with tarps and lumber not brakes. Mark

Afishinado · 06-26-2008, 04:52 AM

Thanks for the heads up, I will check that out on my new trailer with Tie-Downs on both axles, I don't trust Load-Rite any more than I would Venture!
Everyone that buys Kodiak must get paid by them to bash Tie-Down.... They must have little dicks, all I can figure.
Heck, this issue was Ventures doing not Tie-Down.
I (and many others) have put tens of thousands of miles on Tie Down brakes without an issue.

Cracker · 06-26-2008, 05:28 AM

Quote:

onokai - 6/25/2008 7:34 PM

Tie down stuff is junk better to replace it all with Kodiak as you will be working on it constantly until you do. Tie down is what you do with tarps and lumber not brakes. Mark

Could not agree more... I hope you never expect any customer service from Tie Down either...

wensteph · 06-26-2008, 05:38 AM

Preventative maintenance is always prudent.

I agree with Afishinado, why are loose or missing attachment bolts the fault of the part supplier? FWIW, I just put 1500 miles on my Float-On that has Tie-Down brakes.

frogbiscuit · 06-26-2008, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Afishinado - 6/26/2008 3:52 AM

I don't trust Load-Rite any more than I would Venture!

My Venture trailer is 3 years old and it's falling apart.

grreatdog · 06-26-2008, 06:05 AM

IMO, Venture is the problem. My trailer came new missing a bearing race. Needless to say it didn't make it home from the dealer. After waiting two weeks for warranty parts (from a factory just a few miles away), the dealer finally pirated a new wheel, hub and brakes off another new Venture trailer on his lot so I could get my boat home. Then the winch cable was wound backwards. Not a big deal but damned aggravating to discover on the ramp. And lets not forget the ridiculous proprietary brake connection at the master cylinder that is designed to be broken off by the first person that steps on your trailer tongue. But my Tie-down brakes and torsion axle have been flawless.

BACKTOTHESEA · 06-26-2008, 07:32 AM

I have tie downs and until this past week they worked fine (albeit only 16 or so trips on the trailer). The last time out, after coming to a rather hard stop, one side apparently remained in the braking position and was very hot when I returned home.

After several days I had a chance to evaluate the situation. Interestingly, I had to open the bleeder to reduce the pressure. I inspected the caliper and could not identify anything wrong with it. Also lubed the pins while I had it off, but there was no apparent binding there. All in all, a pretty simple set up.

I am a bit perplexed on this one. Anyone have a similar situation and solution? It is not the lock out solenoid, otherwise both sides woud have locked. I have encountered a situation where the inner lining on a rubber brake line separated from the outer shell which would not allow the line to depressurize, but over time the pressure should have bled down. I expect that it could be something internal in the caliper. I am going to contact tie down as well, but thought I would throw this out there for the mechanics in the group.

And by the way, the trailer manufacturer is the one who f'd up the original posters brakes. You should not have to apply extreme torque to keep the slides from loosening. you do need locktight medium strength on the threads before assembly. I have never seen a bolt loosen with lock tight.

EJAngler · 06-26-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Afishinado - 6/26/2008 3:52 AM

Thanks for the heads up, I will check that out on my new trailer with Tie-Downs on both axles, I don't trust Load-Rite any more than I would Venture!
Everyone that buys Kodiak must get paid by them to bash Tie-Down.... They must have little dicks, all I can figure.
Heck, this issue was Ventures doing not Tie-Down.
I (and many others) have put tens of thousands of miles on Tie Down brakes without an issue.

Good for you. Why is it that a comment about an item (brakes, in this case) causes you to attack the commentor (that would be me), and make a sexual remark? What a jerk.

If you have a different experience with a product. Mention it. Nobody pays attention to a jackass.

EJ

Afishinado · 06-26-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

EJAngler - 6/26/2008 12:59 PM....................... What a jerk. If you have a different experience with a product. Mention it. Nobody pays attention to a jackass. EJ

Yeah, I'm a jerk and a jack ass... I guess you can show where your comment on how great Kodiak brakes being better is relevant to the thread... You probably don't even own a trailer.

Cracker · 06-26-2008, 03:35 PM

I was sooo sorry to have to put my Tie Downs in the trash can .... really, really...did I mention really I was...

scubadown · 06-26-2008, 04:39 PM

Tie Down is junk and their customer service is worst.

Ranger1 · 06-26-2008, 04:44 PM

I run a mobile marine service, so sometimes we are unfortunate enough to work on trailer brakes. With my experience, the Kodiaks are much better brakes, from a reliability and tech support standpoint. I recently installed a set of Tie Downs for a customer that purchased the brakes, but didn't have time to put them on himself. On the first caliper, one of the bleeder screws was missing, found it in the box, but the caliper internal threads were stripped, so the screw could not be installed. Called Tie Down for assistance, got a robot that wanted to troubleshoot the problem using a flip chart because he in all reality doesn't know anything about brakes other than their job is to stop something. I finally got it across to the robot the problem was a manufacturing defect and the caliper had to be replaced under warranty. His supervisor would not allow him to ship overnight, and the customer (charter service) had to spring for overnight delivery so he could charter the next day. Before calling, I emailed Tie Down, 2 days later I get a condescending reply, with everyone in Tie Down's organization included, by a jerk engineer that ensinuated I had stripped the threads because I didn't know what I was doing and that Tie Down should not be responsible for replacement. I replied to all, asking him numerous questions in the same condescending manner but he never even acknowledged my questions, nor did anyone else within the organization. The only time I have dealt with Kodiak, they were professional and pleasant. I like Tie Downs actuators, but I don't like their brakes and refuse to supply and install them. If someone specifies Tie Down I referr them elsewhere. My own trailer came with Tie Down brakes, and they will be donated to an artificial reef this fall and replaced with Kodiaks. For those of you that have had good results with Tie Down, I think that is great and there's no reason to try to fix something that isn't broken, but in my case its broken and I know how to fix it. Also for those of you that says "its all about preventative maintenance, and flushing your brakes after salt water immersion" theres an element of truth there, but stainless steel marine grade brakes should not have the problems that I have with even my own Tie Down's, and I flush religously.

Afishinado · 06-26-2008, 05:29 PM

Wow.... For certain Tie Down uses inferior steel in their castings! Steel that rusts! What P.O.S. I am shocked to see steel rust. Everyone should belly up the extra grand or so and buy stainless brakes. They shouldn't be allowed to even make steel that rusts...

Do not buy Tie Down Brakes. Buy Kodiak. Then you too can come on here and bash Tie-Downs....

I have been to the Tie-Down plant, they probably ship more in one day than Kodiak does in a year, so yes, more products means more opportunity for a bad part.... Good thing this thread HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH TIE DOWN OR KODIAK

Trailer brake threads are like the 2 stroke vs 4 stroke threads, as of now I'm done with'em.

mrfritz44 · 06-26-2008, 06:31 PM

As the starter of this thread can I respectfully request it be locked. It served it's purpose, to inform Tie Down brake users that they may have an issue. It's since turned into a mess.

You guys who get into these contests are a bunch of tools. You remind me of the kids who used to go to fists to prove Chevy is better than Ford. Grow up. Now I know why some think this site has gone down the drain.

Hopefully the thread helped someone who hasn't been to the Tie Down factory, or hasn't ever bought a Kodiak brake system, and prompted them to do a saftey check.

EJAngler · 06-27-2008, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Afishinado - 6/26/2008 11:29 AM

Quote:

EJAngler - 6/26/2008 12:59 PM*....................... What a jerk. If you have a different experience with a product. Mention it. Nobody pays attention to a jackass. EJ

Yeah, I'm a jerk and a jack ass...*** .

Couldn't have said it better. But you know yourself best, I suppose.

Hawkeye · 06-27-2008, 05:12 AM

WOW, If anyone has ever spend any amount of time trailering larger boat in the last 20 years as I have has learned a thing or 2 about trailer brakes. Trailer brakes has got to be the biggest maintance pig there is. I have run tie downs for years then I switched to Kodiak and what a difference. Best deal going is get the Kodiak SS calibers with the cadium or e coated rotors for 200 to 250 a set. The SS rotors are just way to much to justify when the steel rotors last rust and all for severial years. Since gong to the SS caliber set up I have gone 3 years with NO brake issues. The issue I did have was pads needed replacing and I put new rotors on. Rotors were like 40$ each and pads 20$. The SS calibers were in good shape. I can turn out the old rotors for the next pad change. I put about 5000 miles a year on my trailer, mostly salt water use. Tie downs are not worth the trouble. Most are just tring to help another fellow boater have a less painfull trailering experiense. 250$ is nothing compaired to the pain of a road side brake down. Now Kodiak's are not the end all but they are way better then the tie downs.

I am not paid by Kodiak.
Ask my girlfiend about the other......

Cracker · 06-27-2008, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Afishinado - 6/26/2008 7:29 PM

Wow.... For certain Tie Down uses inferior steel in their castings! Steel that rusts! What P.O.S. I am shocked to see steel rust. Everyone should belly up the extra grand or so and buy stainless brakes. They shouldn't be allowed to even make steel that rusts...

Do not buy Tie Down Brakes. Buy Kodiak. Then you too can come on here and bash Tie-Downs....

I have been to the Tie-Down plant, they probably ship more in one day than Kodiak does in a year, so yes, more products means more opportunity for a bad part.... Good thing this thread HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH TIE DOWN OR KODIAK

Trailer brake threads are like the 2 stroke vs 4 stroke threads, as of now I'm done with'em.

Someone needs a hug.....

Mr. Demeanor · 06-27-2008, 07:20 AM

I installed a set pf Tiedown Stainless Steel rotors with the coated calipers about 8 months ago. Prior to installing the calipers, there were coated twice with CRC corrosion inhibitor. They look and work great. Are Kodiacs better, sure. I picked these up on triple clearance so it was worth a shot. A little prevention and extra flushing has kept thme like new. Next time I pull a wheel I will snap a pic.