|
Caravan or Towing In this forum you can post anything with regards to caravaning or towing. |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
23-06-2010, 08:38 | #1 |
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 |
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, 09:05 | #3 |
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, 09:15 | #4 |
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, 11:19 | #5 |
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 |
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 |
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, 19:26 | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: peoples democratic republic of west yorkshire
Vehicle: " alice "
Posts: 10,473
|
i seem to remember on my old caravan that the brakes also worked from the towball hitch .. some kind of hydraulic linkage so when the towing vehicle braked , it also put the caravan brakes on
|
23-06-2010, 20:10 | #9 |
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
|
thats right Briggie, they do, all trailers over 750 kilos gross have to have that by law.
Here's the link for brakes spares http://www.westerntowing.co.uk/ |
23-06-2010, 21:38 | #10 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Shropshire
Vehicle: Terrano2 2.7 TDi LWB 2002
Posts: 221
|
Quote:
There can be some peculiar reactions from auto reverse mechanisms though. Alarming if you don't know about them and expect them. They are usually well oulined in the manufacturers handbooks and involve the judicious use of chocks for safety reasons. Good luck with your van. |
|
23-06-2010, 21:38 | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Huddersfield
Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB
Posts: 6,947
|
yeah its just a push system, the caravan pushed forward against the tow ball as you break, thus engaging the breaks.
|
23-06-2010, 22:03 | #12 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,705
|
Quote:
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 ! |
|
23-06-2010, 22:33 | #13 |
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 |
24-06-2010, 18:52 | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,705
|
all good shit matey
|
24-06-2010, 20:45 | #15 |
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
|
|
|
|