The Cost of Older RV Updates: Axl’s New RV Brakes (and Rotors and More)
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RV Brakes Replacement & Repair- Take 1
We dropped the RV off at C. Harper Commercial Truck Center in Belle Vernon, PA. They had done our inspections and a few other minor repairs in the past, so we had faith they knew what they were doing and had the space & equipment to do it.
They called us the following day and said the total for the front brakes would be around $900.
YIKES! But OK, I get it. It’s a huge, old RV with huge, old RV brakes.
So they got started.
RV Brakes Replacement & Repair- Take 2
When they really got down to business, there were plenty of other things besides the brakes that needed to be replaced for this repair to be a success.
RV Brakes Replacement & Repair- Take 3
When everything had been replaced & repaired and Axl had been rolled out of the garage, they took him out for a little test drive…
Which he failed spectacularly by pulling in one direction when his brakes were applied.
Sigh. Back to the garage!
After sitting for the weekend, the brake lines were then bled and some hoses were replaced.
Finally, SUCCESS! Axl could now stop effectively with no pulling.
The mechanic was even kind enough to take some photos for us:
The final cost breakdown for the RV brakes replacement and repairs looked like this:
Bringing our final total to $1441.68, with the cost for labor almost equaling the cost of parts.
Based on my Google, chat forum, and social media research, I had expected to spend about $1,000, so this was bit higher; however, I hadn’t priced some of the parts that ended up being replaced (parts I admittedly would not have known existed, i.e., calipers).
I was thankful that C.Harper kept us in the loop during the repair, but we did have to cancel a weekend trip – and each time we spoke to them, the job got more expensive.
I don’t believe we got overcharged, but I do think we could have been given a better cost range at the beginning of the repair.
Lessons Learned: Could This Have Been Easier?
If you are taking your RV in for brake replacements or repairs, make sure to tell the mechanic and/or shop:
-the exact problems you are experiencing, how long it’s been happening, and if there are any noises, smells, or movements associated with it
-when the last replacement or repair related to the problem was, who performed it, and if they found anything unusual
-what your future travel schedule is, just in case they are able to work around it or schedule it so you don’t have to cancel any plans
Based on our experience, we’d also advise you to request a complete cost range for the repairs.
Ask what could go wrong or what the repair might snowball into, so you have an honest idea what the final cost will be.
If you have an RV brakes replacement or repair experience you’d like to share, we’d like to see how our costs compare. Share below!
