Another Caravan question

clivvy · 23-06-2010, 08:38

HI chaps, got another (silly) question.

when we bought our caravan, and got it home, turned out it needed a lot of work so its been ongoing for well over a year now. one major issue was the breaks dont seem to work, as we found out when uncoupling on our road which is a gentle slope.

anyway, pulling up the handbrake quite simply didnt stop the caravan from rolling. my question is this, on a normal wokring van, how much should i have to pull up the handbrake to engage it? to me, I should only have to pull it up a bit, other wise how the hell do people manouvre a van down driveways, gentle slopes etc? its impossible to do if applying the handbreak means jamming it right up practically 90 degrees!

any tips? i plan to look at the break system very soon...

4wheel · 23-06-2010, 09:01

The handbrake should work the same as in the vehicle.Progressive until maximum.They normally work on a split cable which applies the brakes as the handle is pulled.The cable stretches or snaps or the mechanism rusts up.You should also have a bump brake which slows the caravan on a downhill.

mickmonk · 23-06-2010, 09:05

I think it depend on how old the caravan is, if it has an alko chasis then its pretty much fully on or off. theres no ratchet to graduate the handbrake. I normally use a mover on mine but when I have pushed it and then apply the handbrake it applies violently

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 23-06-2010, 09:15

bump brake presume equals over-run, when towing.

you can get odd effects from the auto reverse function too.

if had reverse van and hitch incompression then handbrake mayappear not to work,
this can show its self when trying on site to get van on one or more ramped
levelling blocks and van then rolls or spins off across axle direction when uncoupled.
suggest chock wheels always and further if parked for prolonged periods release
handbrake using chocks and 'legs' to secure van.

clivvy · 23-06-2010, 11:19

Well, it's an old van, Alko chasis. At the moment, I can't even release the hand brake, hence my worry it's broken! I was hoping for progressive braking for manouvering, not on or off but I'll re check the manual and see what it says. Looks like I need to get under the van for a look...!

(RIP) PLANK · 23-06-2010, 16:25

i'm pretty sure on an older alko chassis it should have a ratchet type hand brake, if the soes ae gone try a search on google for western towing they are birlliant for brake spares, they usualy ask for the casting number off the brake drums. Also check the cables aren't seized as even with the hand brake left off this can still happen, and to the pads if they are very low.

clivvy · 23-06-2010, 19:09

nice one PLank,. ill do just that, it does seem seized to me, but i suspect the handbrake wasnt right in the first place. im not surprised, and more than happy to replace it and fit new brakes, so ill dismantle the lot and have a look!

Deleted account DD · 23-06-2010, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by clivvy

Well, it's an old van, Alko chasis. At the moment, I can't even release the hand brake, hence my worry it's broken! I was hoping for progressive braking for manouvering, not on or off but I'll re check the manual and see what it says. Looks like I need to get under the van for a look...!

on the old alko chassis the hand brake tended to be on or off. Having farted around for ages with them in the past i just treat the ratchet as a range of secure clicks , and on one of them the brakes would apply

Good gen from plank that should find you just that point.

I tend to suspect nothing much has changed. Our van is 18month old and has one of those newer style ratchetless alko handbrakes. As far as I can recall its got two settings only .....on and off

I think !

(RIP) PLANK · 23-06-2010, 22:33

an interesting point but my old buccaneer (late 70's) also has an on or off hand brake jst like the newest of chassis, I think they are considered more secure as there is constant pressure applied to the shoes and if they expand or contract with heat or moisture the spring applies a little more pressure. But! on all the older models this system sems to case more seized on hand brakes than the rachet system. In fact i have had many ifor williams trailers with the on or off system and it seems far more problematic over the years than a ratchet.

Was that of any interest at all or just me banging on again

briggie · 09-07-2010, 23:12

hows the caravan coming along clive ? ... ready for the grand norfolk meet ?

23-06-2010, 08:38	#1
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	Another Caravan question HI chaps, got another (silly) question. when we bought our caravan, and got it home, turned out it needed a lot of work so its been ongoing for well over a year now. one major issue was the breaks dont seem to work, as we found out when uncoupling on our road which is a gentle slope. anyway, pulling up the handbrake quite simply didnt stop the caravan from rolling. my question is this, on a normal wokring van, how much should i have to pull up the handbrake to engage it? to me, I should only have to pull it up a bit, other wise how the hell do people manouvre a van down driveways, gentle slopes etc? its impossible to do if applying the handbreak means jamming it right up practically 90 degrees! any tips? i plan to look at the break system very soon...

23-06-2010, 09:01	#2
4wheel Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wiltshire Vehicle: Terrano 11 2.7Tdi SWB Posts: 240	Brakes. The handbrake should work the same as in the vehicle.Progressive until maximum.They normally work on a split cable which applies the brakes as the handle is pulled.The cable stretches or snaps or the mechanism rusts up.You should also have a bump brake which slows the caravan on a downhill.

23-06-2010, 09:15	#4
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	bump brake presume equals over-run, when towing. you can get odd effects from the auto reverse function too. if had reverse van and hitch incompression then handbrake mayappear not to work, this can show its self when trying on site to get van on one or more ramped levelling blocks and van then rolls or spins off across axle direction when uncoupled. suggest chock wheels always and further if parked for prolonged periods release handbrake using chocks and 'legs' to secure van. __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

23-06-2010, 09:05	#3
mickmonk Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: essex Vehicle: 3.0 terrano auto 02 plate Posts: 40	I think it depend on how old the caravan is, if it has an alko chasis then its pretty much fully on or off. theres no ratchet to graduate the handbrake. I normally use a mover on mine but when I have pushed it and then apply the handbrake it applies violently

23-06-2010, 11:19	#5
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	Well, it's an old van, Alko chasis. At the moment, I can't even release the hand brake, hence my worry it's broken! I was hoping for progressive braking for manouvering, not on or off but I'll re check the manual and see what it says. Looks like I need to get under the van for a look...!

23-06-2010, 16:25	#6
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	i'm pretty sure on an older alko chassis it should have a ratchet type hand brake, if the soes ae gone try a search on google for western towing they are birlliant for brake spares, they usualy ask for the casting number off the brake drums. Also check the cables aren't seized as even with the hand brake left off this can still happen, and to the pads if they are very low.

23-06-2010, 19:09	#7
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	nice one PLank,. ill do just that, it does seem seized to me, but i suspect the handbrake wasnt right in the first place. im not surprised, and more than happy to replace it and fit new brakes, so ill dismantle the lot and have a look!

23-06-2010, 22:33	#9
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	an interesting point but my old buccaneer (late 70's) also has an on or off hand brake jst like the newest of chassis, I think they are considered more secure as there is constant pressure applied to the shoes and if they expand or contract with heat or moisture the spring applies a little more pressure. But! on all the older models this system sems to case more seized on hand brakes than the rachet system. In fact i have had many ifor williams trailers with the on or off system and it seems far more problematic over the years than a ratchet. Was that of any interest at all or just me banging on again

09-07-2010, 23:12	#10
briggie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire Vehicle: " alice " Posts: 10,473	hows the caravan coming along clive ? ... ready for the grand norfolk meet ?