Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › Brake Pad question
SelmaCat.
I recently started hearing a sound coming from my trailer , took to local Dealer and was told brake pads were worn out and that rotors may possibly need turning! My rig is a 2011 model, and the farthest I pull from house is 30 miles! Am I wrong in thinking that there is no way these brakes should be worn out in that period of time and with such short distances that I travel? By the way, I only fish from May to September every year, that takes 7 months of use from each year away and only fish weekends! Also, because I forgot to ask dealer, is this covered under warranty? Thanks in advance.
As an auto repair professional , this is right in my wheelhouse , so , you have a couple of things to check on your trailer . — 1 – are the caliper slides moving like they should ?? — If not , this will wear brakes very quickly . — 2 – Do the brakes release all the way after being applied ?? — Could be a problem in the coupler / master cylinder assembly . — The fact that you only travel short distances could also be part of the problem , since you get the brakes all wet and then they dont get a chance to heat up good and dry out , which could cause calipers to corrode and hang up . — How many miles have you driven in 4 years is another question . — May only be 30 miles to farthest point , but is there much uphill / downhill to it , or is it flat ground , and do you pull once a week or every day ?? — On steep grades the brakes can partially apply during deceleration as the boat / trailer pushes against the hitch . — Many variables to consider . — Whatever the case may be , youve got to have them fixed , and I recommend checking the brake system on your trailer every year , just to avoid any issues . As for warranty coverage , my humble opinion would be no . — Brakes are a service item . — Take care , and God Bless . — Mark
Man I appreciate the response! Pretty much just flat ground around here, and only use on weekends! I feel like they are not releasing or either they may have corroded, no way I have “used the brakes” enough to wear them out! How hard is it to just disconnect? I dont really need them with a full size truck!
I hear what youre saying , but I disagree with you not needing them . — If something stupid did happen , and you ran into somebody , the insurance companys would eat you alive for NOT having FUNCTIONAL brakes on a trailer that was manufactured with them as standard equipment . — Just my humble opinion and advice . — Fix them A.S.A.P. — Mark
I have to agree about fixing them. It takes a lot of brake to stop a big cat quickly and you never know when you may have to.
Well I was told that I have a broken brake pad, and at certain times the pad drops down and the sound I am hearing is the pad against the rotor! You can see the groove cut in rotor, looks like I may have to get it turned! Sucks!
SelmaCat,Your dealer or yourself are more than welcome to contact UFP in Tennessee and their service crew. They may honor warranty on a 2011 model, though they may not, sharing there is a broken pad will help. It is a good idea to always depress the safety cable release when hitching up. None of us ever do this and we never know if our spouse, children, grandchildren or even ourselves have accidentally, or otherwise, engaged the brakes. Odds are that the brake safety cable got pulled at some time and did not get released. It can hang your jeans cuff, or anyones, and get stretched out. It could get pulled and stretched unhooking, being left when pulling out, and it could get engaged. There is a small release tab that must be depressed under the tongue. It is often overlooked and many dont know it exists. There is a decal on the side of the coupler that shows the location and so many never know its there.Since the safety cable is located on the tongue area it cant get hung on anything, push mower, anything rolled past the end of your trailer when stored. If it is left hanging it is very common to catch shoe strings, pants cuffs, or about anything on the safety cable. People step on it with their foot coming down when passing between the vehicle and boat. We have seen children connect battery powered kid cars to the cable to pull the rig like Grandpa. It seems harmless enough, though its not. Have your dealership follow through and good luck with the situation.
Thanks, will check the cable and release! Would that lead to the brake pad cracking? Also, do you have a contact number for UFP ? TIA
Nevermind on the contact, spoke with a lady in TN and she sent me a form to fill out and is sending me a set of replacement pads at no cost! Thanks for the tips and info above!
© 2026 Bass Cat Boats
