1990 Winnabego Chieftan

[Richard Shaw]

We just bought a 1990 winnabego Cheiftan 35ft coach from the original owner 103,000 miles.I hope someone out there can give me some advice,the RV Repair shop I had the coach in getting some repair done on the generator told me the disk brakes on my coach are easy to overheat plus if I panic stop the power-booster can rupture leaving me without any brakes.I am having a hard time believing that Winnabego would have GM build a coach with a poor braking system, if so how can I fix the problem?

[Tony durfey]

This is where we get our brake parts.  The most knowledgeable folks I have ever had the pleasure of doing business with.  When we did the front brakes last time they had all parts in stock and they were all the "right" parts the first time.  They had part #s in there head for a 1969 M-300 dodge chassis.  I will be calling soon for our rear brakes, just checked them today and they are due.  Hope this helps, Tony, Joy and Cool Paw Luke

From their website

http://www.alretta.com/

Contact Geoffrey Rosenberg with your requirements - by fax, e-mail, phone, or postal mail!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU!

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR ANY REASON!

CALL 508-788-9409 : Monday-Friday 8:30am - 6:00pm

Warehouse Hours : Monday-Friday 10:30am - 5:30pm

We are located at :

ONE WATSON PLACE, Bldg.#5B, 2nd Flr.
FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 01701

(Please send all mail to our PO Box!)

Alretta Truck Parts Inc.  
P.O.Box 596  
Sherborn, Massachusetts 01770-0596  

[ronald richardson]

 Hi Richard, it seems like a gm truck dealer could help you out. I also have a cheiftan 33 ' brakes are still good but mine is older , its a1985. So i have a question for you, do you have a roof vent in ceiling ? i have one in bath only but i have 2 airs. I have a large space in kitchen ceiling where it seems like one could go. I know that if it were framed in for one that would be better . havent checked with stud finder to see. thanks Ron......

[Richard Shaw]

Hi Ron, my question is do you feel that you can stop fast if need be? Have you done any work on your brakes like upgrade the pads ect? I have 2 air cond units as well and a roof vent in kitchen with 3 spd elect fan & temp control shut off. Thanks Richard   [e-mail]

[ronald richardson]

Richard,I just took a 4day trip and the brakes were great , my first trip out since we got it . the brake pedal seemed soft but seemed to stop good . the dealer said it was normal . it drove good but has a little play in steering. not even sure if i have disc , or drum brakes. taking a look under this weekend. later Ron...

[Richard Shaw]

Bought ours 7/21/12 it had set for over 3 yrs so I knew we would have repair work. We drove it 350 miles our 1st time out, but not without a challenge(old gas) now we are getting all fuel filters changed plus the brakes looked at(all disk on ours) hope to take it out again before the year end. Later Rich 

[Chris Reed]

We have a 1984 Winnebago Cheiftain, but our motorhomes were built on the same chassis. The brakes were acceptable during their time, but are vastly underpowered compared to newer motorhomes. When we bought ours I flushed the brake system till the fluid was clean and that improved the feel of the brake pedal. We have had our motorhome for a couple of years now and I have a slight pulsation now. We are constantly running ours a little over weight which is almost impossible not to do on older motorhomes. If you get the brakes flushed every 15,000 miles and keep the rear brakes properly adjusted then that will dramatically cut down on the fronts over heating. Also, leave plenty of stopping distance and allow the motor to slow you down well in advance. This will help alleviate excessive heat build-up. As for the power- booster rupturing I have never heard of that. I am no expert, but I have about 10 years of driving experience with these chassis' and have had plenty of emergency stops without any catastaufac brake failures.

[Richard Shaw]

Thanks for the info,I had the shop look at the brakes and found I needed to rebuild the entire system. Another RVer told me of a company in Mass(Alretta Truck Parts 508-788-9409) I bought a new M/C,new b/pads (tek-motive met) new rotors,seals,hoses & rebuilt calipers Plus I was told to use Wagner 5.1 b/fluid(less heat build up) should have the coach back in a week or so. I have a unexpecpted house expense so if you know someone who would like buy my coach or trade a smaller one I will send pictures. Thanks Richard