Brakes when reversing older caravans - override catch?

[Netti_374307085]

Reading The Caravan Manual about how to date a caravan and came accross the auto reverse brakes, and therefore the lack of. I think my Swift Silhoutte was manufactured in the early-mid 80s so I am assuming I will have to manually disengage the brakes before I reverse. However, what does the mechanism actually look like? I think it has a galvanised chassis if that makes any difference.

Also, is there any reliable way to test the brakes on the caravan prior to hitching up? The caravan moves by hand OK so presumably they have not seized on, but it has been sitting for a year.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

There were 2 types of brake catch

One was a spring loaded finger on the side that was swung forward and under a lug and the other was a collar that was swung sideways and round the drawbar shaft

They both just stopped the coupling telescoping back and putting the brakes on

You can achieve the same effect with a jockey wheel clamp

I would think that mid 80s would have the auto reverse espacially if there are no signs of the above fittings or remains of them

The handbrake works the same brake rods so that should give some idea if the brakes work

Any adjustment should always be at the hubs first and usually the linkage doesn't need altering

 

[WatsonJohnG]

There were 2 types of brake catch

One was a spring loaded finger on the side that was swung forward and under a lug and the other was a collar that was swung sideways and round the drawbar shaft

They both just stopped the coupling telescoping back and putting the brakes on

You can achieve the same effect with a jockey wheel clamp

I would think that mid 80s would have the auto reverse espacially if there are no signs of the above fittings or remains of them

The handbrake works the same brake rods so that should give some idea if the brakes work

Any adjustment should always be at the hubs first and usually the linkage doesn't need altering

http://www.western-towing.co.uk/acatalog/Brake_Spares_Diagram.html

 

[Netti_374307085]

Thanks for that. Good website that as well. The Caravan Manual says all caravans from April 1989 had auto-reverse brakes as standard. Would earlier ones have it because the manufacturer opted to fit it, not because of legislation?

Tbh I wasn't paying alot of attention to the hitch when I looked at the caravan. It's only now that when I'm thinking about the practicalities of my first journey that it occured to me.

 

[RogerL]

Most caravans had auto-reverse brakes long before it became compulsory - our '83 ABI Ace, with an Al-Ko chassis, had them.

Early '80s Swifts used their own chassis so you may do well to contact Kath on their Helpline.