Caravan brakes

[Chris_5108323]

Hi, after having my caravan serviced by two different service centres for the last two years and not being totally happy that my brakes are as good as they should be, I have decided to have a look at them myself. I always have done most of my own car servicing but are the brakes on a carvan any different? I'm assuming they're pretty much the same but just wanted to check before I started. Also, might seem like an obvious question but, if my brakes need replacing can I buy them from any motor factors?

I have a 2005 Lunar Lexon CS.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[FatherTed]

Don't know about newer caravans, but the older caravans and trailers I've worked on are normal drum brakes, with the caravan brakes being effectively, a handbrake.

The main difference is that the wheel bearing holds the drum on, as per older cars...but maybe that's because it was older vans I was working on.

 

[Damian]

I would be interested to know what you think you can improve upon from workshop servicing?

Caravan brakes are similar to car drum brakes with the addition of the auto reverse mechanism.

You would have to source the correct One Shot nuts, depending whether you have an Al-Ko chassis or BPW chassis.

You would also need a torque wrench and sockets capable of torquing the nuts to 280nm or 290nm depending on which brake system you have and no you cannot just get the shoes or any other parts from a motor factors, they MUST be OEM specification.

 

[Chris_5108323]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not sure what I can improve really I just wanted to make sure they in good order. It sounds like it might be a job best left to the experts anyway so i think I'll just try somewhere else for the next service and insist that they are checked. The reason I wanted to check them is because on a couple of occassions when the handbrake has been on the van has moved when I leant on the side which worried me a little.

Again thanks for your replies.

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Hi Chis

If your thinking of doing your own servicing on your 2005 Lunar.

I would purchase a Haynes (9894) THE CARAVAN MANUAL by John Wickersham.

The 3rd edition its very good on servicing and maintenance and improvements.

Regards Steve & Janet

 

[Chris_5108323]

Thanks Steve and Janet, I'll look into getting a manual.

 

[xtrailman]

Chris

Information for adjusting the brakes can be found in the alko handbook or in my case the bailey handbook, you only have to remove the hubs for service.

 

[Chris_5108323]

Thanks Ray, sorry I took so long to get back to you but I've been in work on 12 hour shifts for the last couple of days and not had chance to get on the forum. I've checked my Al-Ko book and all the info seems to be there so I'll have a read while I'm on nights tonight.

Again thanks a lot.

Chris

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Thanks Steve and Janet, I'll look into getting a manual.

I got one (