gadget to reverse old van uphill?

[Anne_374300556]

We have a very old Sprite Alpine. The brakes lock on when reversing the van uphill. We have a steep drive and the only way to get the van up is in reverse. We had to man handle it zig zag and don't want to have to do that ever again! Is there a device which will allow the brakes to come off thereby letting us reverse the van uphill! I do hope so!

Thanks, Anne

 

[WatsonJohnG]

There should be a collar that swings over to stop the coupling compressing and applying the brakes

Sometimes there was a finger that folded forward and went under a bracket to achieve the same result

You can do it with a jockey wheel clamp round the shft by the coupling to stop it moving inwards and applying the brakes

Something like this is all that you need

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Trailer-Jockey-Wheel-Clamp-48mm-Heavy-Duty_W0QQitemZ200225867546QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Anne_374300556]

Thanks. I'll get my husband to take a look to see what's already there. We are in Spain and there are far fewer parts type stores here.

Cheers,

Anne

 

[ThePlotter]

Right behind the overun ram will be a little lever,this has to be pulled back as you start to reverse,not easy to time it right.

The answer is to get an old throttle spring fasten one end to the gas bottle carrier on the A frame or any point just behind the lever.On the other end of the spring attach a key ring split ring.

When you wish to reverse hook the ring over the lever then as you reverse the spring will pull the lever back for you and release the brakes.

Do not forget to unhook the spring when you have finished.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I well remember trying to reverse our old Sprite on a busy road with better half engaging and re-engaging reverse lever every time I had to pull forward

Tempers frayed

There was an electric option available and it made use of one of the spare wires when 12S came in

Was it called a Mardon or something similar?

 

[Guest]

I had a Mustang fitted with a Peak chassis and yes, it had a collar that was pulled up to stop the brakes being applied. Was a pain in the a..e and never worked properly.

If there is nothing that wil suit possibly you can fit a stanchion post at the top of the drive and a windlass, and pull the van up.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

At least with the collar it didn't spring out every time you pulled forward

But you could forget to swing it back and set off with the van brakes inoperative!!

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I had a Mustang fitted with a Peak chassis and yes, it had a collar that was pulled up to stop the brakes being applied. Was a pain in the a..e and never worked properly.

If there is nothing that wil suit possibly you can fit a stanchion post at the top of the drive and a windlass, and pull the van up.

We had a Mustang Arabian GTS The bees knees in its day

 

[RayS]

Some vans of this vintage had couplings designed for an electric reverse catch. This was a solenoid operated plunger which push a rod vertically down through a hole in the hitch casting and prevented the damper spring from compressing. The solenoid was 12v. and operated by either a switch on the dashboard, or by connection to the reversing lights.

I think you hitch should have either the swing over collar (more likely) or the fitting for the electric version. If the latter you may be able to use a round screwdriver or similar pushed down through the hole.

If there is neither, then you ould make up a sleeve to fit over the coupling, keeping it in place while reversing with a bungee or similar. Remember the hitch must be fully extened first and then kept in that position. Don't forget to remove the device ( or swig the collar out of the way afterwards).

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Some vans of this vintage had couplings designed for an electric reverse catch. This was a solenoid operated plunger which push a rod vertically down through a hole in the hitch casting and prevented the damper spring from compressing. The solenoid was 12v. and operated by either a switch on the dashboard, or by connection to the reversing lights.

I think you hitch should have either the swing over collar (more likely) or the fitting for the electric version. If the latter you may be able to use a round screwdriver or similar pushed down through the hole.

If there is neither, then you ould make up a sleeve to fit over the coupling, keeping it in place while reversing with a bungee or similar. Remember the hitch must be fully extened first and then kept in that position. Don't forget to remove the device ( or swig the collar out of the way afterwards).

Tthat's what I referred to above

I can't find it on Google but it was something like Mardon or Marwood

 

[extrucker1]

i used to have an old trailer with the same set up. what i did was cut a piece of plastic drain pipe, the sort you have from your sink at home, cut a seam the length of it and just pop it over the damper when i needed to go backwerds. raymond h.

 

[Anne_374300556]

Brilliant everyone. Thank you so much for all your great replies. I'm sure I can get my husband to follow one of these. One or two a bit technical for me. I am an IT professional but mechanics beat me!!!

 

[extrucker1]

Brilliant everyone. Thank you so much for all your great replies. I'm sure I can get my husband to follow one of these. One or two a bit technical for me. I am an IT professional but mechanics beat me!!!

please can you come and make my computer run faster?

 

[WatsonJohnG]

i used to have an old trailer with the same set up. what i did was cut a piece of plastic drain pipe, the sort you have from your sink at home, cut a seam the length of it and just pop it over the damper when i needed to go backwerds. raymond h.

A lot cheaper than a JW clamp too

 

[Anne_374300556]

please can you come and make my computer run faster?

Only if you get it some top range nike running shoes!!