Caravan handbrake won't come on

[Raymarie]

Hi there we've recently bought a super sprite musketeer 2 caravan which has been stood for 2 years and are itching to get away in it, but the handbrake has been in the off position, it will pull up but goes straight back down again and I'm unsure of what to do, is because the brakes are stuck off possibly and need freeing up and advise is much appreciated, thanks Ray

 

[Damian]

As the van has been standing for so long it is advisable to have it serviced to ensure everything is working as it should be.
Get a mobile engineer to look at it.

 

[chrisn7]

With handbrake off, everything is relaxed. The brake system is only mechanical, so as the handbrake is pulled on, the brake shoes should move due to the brake rods and levers taking up the slack. If the shoes were stuck off, then it follows that the handbrake lever should be stuck down too. Perhaps this van has been neglected and the brakes never adjusted

Since the history of the van is not known it would be wise for the hubs to be removed and the brake shoes and mechanism checked, followed by adjustment of the rods and brake balance for side to side.

 

[camel]

There are caravans at the storage where I store our caravan with the handbrakes pulled full on they are never touched the owners just come along hook up with no checks and go off to Cornwall, doe's my head in,

 

[Dustydog]

There are caravans at the storage where I store our caravan with the handbrakes pulled full on they are never touched the owners just come along hook up with no checks and go off to Cornwall, doe's my head in,

Lots of amateurs eh 😛
They will find out the hard way when the drums overheat damaging the brake system and wheel bearings! on site and storage the hand brake is always off. The Al-ko wheel locks are better than the brakes and where appropriate chocks of course.

 

[Craigyoung]

Same here , handbrake never on unless pitched on an incline .