www.iFourWinns.com

Yesterday I started working on getting my trailer brakes fixed on my Four Winns Trailer. I was hoping to get away with just bleeding them but as I dug into a little bit the bleeder valve was completely frozen. I ended up taking the drum off to find out the shoes were almost complete worn and that they were wearing unevenly. I took the wheel cylinder off and it was completely filled with rust/gunk. I've come to the conclusion that I should just replace everything so I know I wont have any problems in the future. I need a new master cylinder, brake shoes, wheel cylinders, and actuator (not sure if thats what its called). I haven't had any luck finding my manual. Where would be a good place to start as far as finding the right parts. I dont have part numbers or brands. Thanks in advance!

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1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

I have used Champion Trailers for parts in the past - no probs at all - great delivery even to the other side of the world!
http://www.championtrailers.com

Also check out e-trailer - these guys are really switched on and have some great instructional videos on how to do this sort of stuff. Prices are pretty good as well.
http://www.etrailer.com

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Will either of those companies know what I am talking about even though I dont have part numbers?

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1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

Yep - just give them the details of the trailer - there are not that many variations! FW always seem to use regular off the shelf components which is nice.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

That is great to hear, I was really worried when I couldn't find my manual. I am a little apprehensive about calling the dealership as the prices always seem to be really high. Thanks again.

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1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

As Aussie said, Champion is pretty good. You can also search for trailer shops in your area that can either do the work or sell you the parts.

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

Is the Four Winns trailer made by champion?

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1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

As I understand it, they make the frames, but not all the parts. For example, the actuator on mine is a Titan DICO, the brakes are Kodiaks, etc....

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

Yep, FW make the frames only. My disc brakes and actuator are from Tie Down Engineering... so it seems to vary by year.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Drum brake clusters are a standard item, they come in 10" and 12" drum diameter sizes, I have 10" units on my trailer and I usually replace them about every 5 years. Champion's prices are about the best, you can get a pair of the 10" clusters for about 110 or so, I put a little syn caliper grease under the dust boot to keep out water and put OMC triple guard grease on the threads of the adjuster to keep it from freezing up.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Thank you guys for your help, I ended up getting all my parts online for $270 vs. $415 from the dealer.

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1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

Sounds good, make sure you flush the system out well and bleed it if the wheel cylinders were bad, I'd try flushing out the lines before you hook up the new actuator and wheel cylinders, you don't want to force any crud in there. I have found that it's good to bleed marine systems every few years to get rid of moisture which can cause corrosion and that makes the wheel cylinders seize up. Disc brakes are supposed to be better, but if you put a bit of syn caliper grease under the dust boot on the wheel cylinder, and put a good marine grease on the threads of the adjuster, esp in freshwater they should last a reasonably long time.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Thanks for the tips, I ended up buying a whole new brake coupler (has the master cylinder and tongue all assembled) and new wheel backing which has all the shoes, wheels cylinders put together. The only thing that wont be new is the drums and the brake lines. It was cheaper to buy everything assembled than try and piece together all the parts. I will def blow out all the lines, I'm just hoping the brake lines dont need to be replaced.

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1996 4 Winns Horizon 170 SOLD
1997 4 Winns Sundowner 205 SOLD
2000 4 Winns Horizon 230 CURRENT
Tow Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited SOLD
1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 SOLD
2003 GMC Yukon XL 2500 6.0

My old Load Rite did not have brakes when I got this boat, I had to run the stainless lines through the tongue and in the frame rail, it takes some time but not that bad, you have a single axle so only one set of brakes. If the lines are rusted, replace em. I got the whole kit from Champion Trailers, drums, brake clusters, actuator, and lines for about 400 or so back in 04...

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

If I was replacing that many parts, including the actuator, I think I'd consider changing to discs.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic