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Karavan Trailer Brakes
Little Squeeze	#1  Posted on 08/17/15 - 11:06 AM
Member Posts: 17 Comments: 0 Joined: 04/01/12	My 190 Montauk came with a duel axle Karavan trailer with disk brakes. I got it new in 2013 and after a full season of the brakes sticking every time I towed the boat I had to replace, under warranty, all 4 calipers at the start of the 2014 boating season. This season, the brakes would again stick every time I would hook the trailer up and try to tow it but they would usually free up right away. Last week on my ride home from the boat landing they locked up tight! Since the trailer was no longer under warranty, I looked into replacing the calipers myself with a better set. Chesapeake Whalertown suggested I call Karavan and see if they would do something. I did call and it was a good thing because they told me they have had a problem with the caliper seals, from one of the venders, failing and water getting in the piston and corroding, causing them to lock up. They agreed to furnish me with new ones and cover labor costs to have them installed. I'm sure there are others with the same problem and hopefully this will save them some money. Also curious if others have had this problem.
Joe Kriz	#2  Posted on 08/17/15 - 11:51 AM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	Good to know. Thanks for the Heads-Up.
tedious	#3  Posted on 08/17/15 - 12:10 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1072 Comments: 2 Joined: 09/07/08	This type of information is invaluable - you may wish to re-title the thread to include the term "hidden warranty" since the company does not seem to be proactively tracking down owners.
Finnegan	#4  Posted on 08/17/15 - 1:52 PM
Member Posts: 1926 Comments: 16 Joined: 05/02/08	How about telling us the brand and model of the bad brakes on your Karavan. It would be helpful for anybody with disc brakes on their trailer to know whether they could be looking at the same problem. It would also be nice to know the brand and model of the replacements.
Little Squeeze	#5  Posted on 08/17/15 - 1:55 PM
Member Posts: 17 Comments: 0 Joined: 04/01/12	The calipers were "Knott", but don't have a model number. I have not picked up the trailer yet so don't know what the replacements are. Edited by Little Squeeze on 08/17/15 - 1:57 PM
butchdavis	#6  Posted on 08/18/15 - 6:44 AM
Member Posts: 838 Comments: 0 Joined: 11/22/11	It could be very difficult for Karavan to notify owners about the problem since they don't sell to owners. They sold, in this case, a batch of trailers to Boston Whaler who puts them under their boats prior to delivery to dealers. Unless a Whaler buyer fills out a warranty card and sends it to Karavan how will they know. I believe Boston Whaler is where the blame, if any, attaches. Butch
holy_crap	#7  Posted on 08/18/15 - 10:12 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 18 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/24/13	I had the same thing happen with my Karavan trailer and Knott calipers back in Jan 2014. My 2013 190 Outrage came with a Karavan tandem trailer with knott calipers that would get stuck. Karavan sent me 4 new calipers and a check for the installation. Fortunately I have not had any issues with the new calipers, I do rinse the trailer brakes thoroughly with fresh water after every use. Edited by holy_crap on 08/18/15 - 10:16 PM
tom blinstrub	#8  Posted on 08/19/15 - 2:23 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 369 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/14/09	This year i bought a single axle 4000 pound capacity Karavan trailer with brakes. The trailer was made by Karavan for Robalo. The person who bought the Robalo didn't want the trailer so I got a deal. Since my boat is an 1989 Outrage 18 I felt I didn't need the brakes so I took the calipers off. Im glad I did. It was near impossible to get the allen screws holding the calipers off. The calipers have to come off to service the bearings. Could you imagine trying to service the bearings on the side of the road years later after the corrosion sets in and the allen bolts won't come loose?
butchdavis	#9  Posted on 08/19/15 - 7:04 AM
Member Posts: 838 Comments: 0 Joined: 11/22/11	It is incredible that the calipers must come off to service the wheel bearings. That design must be unique in the trailer industry. Please provide a photograph. Butch
tom blinstrub	#10  Posted on 08/19/15 - 7:58 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 369 Comments: 0 Joined: 12/14/09	I don't have any photo's and I gave the calipers to my dealer. The caliper has to come off the rotor to be able to remove the rotor. They should of used bolts instead of allen bolts. After breaking the allen bolt loose it has to turn about 20 revolutions before it comes off. Using the big allen wrench takes a long time because you have to reposition it every half turn. 5 years later with salt water use it would be hopeless to remove on the side of the road. A ramp truck ride home for sure.
butchdavis	#11  Posted on 08/20/15 - 7:44 AM
Member Posts: 838 Comments: 0 Joined: 11/22/11	It is seldom necessary to remove a disc brake rotor in order to service the wheel bearings on a trailer. If the spindle is damaged or the bearing is frozen it would be a possible exception. My battery powered drill has a set of allen wrench bits that would help that job. Unless I'm on a longer than usual trip I don't take my tool box along. However, to avoid bearing failure I service them annually. Butch
Reonainoue	#12  Posted on 09/08/15 - 2:58 PM
Member Posts: 7 Comments: 0 Joined: 01/11/14	My trailer (Karavan dual axle for 2013 Montauk 210) had a same issue last year. The dealer replaced all 4 calipers (made by Knott) in July-14. I have used the trailer about 20 times in this season to launch my boat....and no issue so far.