Why Does Off-Road Driving Destroy Electric Brakes?
It’s unfortunate that dirt roads can damage electric brakes. Many caravan owners have discovered that the vibrations from corrugated roads can damage their braking systems.
At Couplemate™, we’ve received numerous inquiries from customers needing replacement parts, such as
In this guide, we’ll delve into why dirt roads can destroy electric brakes and how you can best fix the issue.
How It Happens
Dirt roads pose a significant challenge to the longevity of your electric braking system.
One common issue we’ve observed is the erosion of the steel casting in electric drums caused by the magnetic force. This wear and tear renders the electric magnet ineffective, making replacement necessary. Additionally, the magnet arm can also suffer damage.
While electric brakes are generally resilient, the image on the right demonstrates the impact of rough roads on magnets. After just two weeks of travel on corrugated roads, the rattling magnet on the magnet arm tried to cut it in half.
This damage extends beyond the magnet and can affect your brake drums and electric backing plates.
How To Fix
Unfortunately, the electric magnets themselves cannot be effectively repaired. Replacing them is the best solution to this issue.
To withstand the harsh conditions of Australian outback roads, trailer experts recommend investing in high-quality off-road magnets.
A whole article discusses the differences between the two (which you can read here), but essentially, it comes down to the magnet arm housing. Off-road magnets feature a plastic insert that negates rattle and the cutting action, which increases the magnet’s lifespan and prevents corrugated surfaces from destroying electric brakes.
There are two ways to approach this issue:
- Upgrade the magnets.
- Upgrade the entire backing plate.
Many customers have found it wise to invest in new backing plates equipped with off-road magnets for better durability. This ensures a clean slate for your next trip so that you can holiday with peace of mind.
Getting Help with Caravan Electric Brakes
Replacing your electric brake magnets before your trip can save you money, time, and the hassle of dealing with replacement parts while on the road.
Couplemate™ specialises in trailers and caravans. Whether you’re looking to prepare or need help with a breakdown, our team of experts is available to assist you.
Have just had new backing plate fitted after magnet arm snapped off on Alko brakes, same thing happened 5 years ago. Van towed into Wagga and Andrew Walsh mechanical had it all sorted on site at. Caravan park. RACV and NRMA combined to arrange towing and accommodation until repairs effected .Big thanks to all Peter Fowler
Hi Peter,
Glad to hear that everything was resolved for you here! It’s not every day we hear about a magnet arm snapping off.
I showed your comment to our Production team, and they’d love to see some photos if you have any available. It’s not something we encounter often, so we’d love to learn more about it and help educate our team.
Thank you for sharing your insights!