Another Caravan question

[clivvy]

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]

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.

 

[mickmonk]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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!:thumb2

 

[briggie]

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!:thumb2

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

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

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/

 

[CHASTER]

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

Often wondered if any caravans had hydraulicly operated brakes but never met one. All mine have been cable operated over-run and worked very well when serviced regularly.
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.

 

[clivvy]

yeah its just a push system, the caravan pushed forward against the tow ball as you break, thus engaging the breaks.

 

[Deleted account DD]

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. :thumb2

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]

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 :doh

 

[Deleted account DD]

all good shit matey :thumb2

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

all good shit matey :thumb2

you're just trying to make me feel better

 

[briggie]

hows the caravan coming along clive ? ... ready for the grand norfolk meet ? :thumb2

 

[Smegg]

hi ive been doing a old fleetwood [86] up for 6 months 2 things i found was brake tow piston had siezed ;plenty of grease and tapping backwards and forwards sorted it and also adjuster behind tow piston; hope this helps.

 

[hazzar]

Hi i am a caravan technician by trade .Your handbrake should start to bite after 2 clicks unless the anti reverse has kicked in how old is the caravan.It might just need the brakes adjusting if its the old type it will have a castle nut and split pin if its the newer type it will have a one shot nut .To adjust its the same for both,at the back of the hub you will see a 5mm hol the adjuster it in there .There is an arrow on the back that tells you which way to adjust you need to adjust all the way up to lock the hubs ,(dont forget to spin them forward ) when fully locked click them back off 13 clicks both sides and that will be the correct setting .If you have any more problems let me no i will be happy to advise hope this helps.