Handbrake not working in reverse

[dav]

Hi all,

on an Elnagh caravan from 1992, the handbrake is working perfectly strong when trying to tow normally (the car cannot move at all).

While, even if engaged very strongly, it does nothing in reverse direction: you can even move the caravan by hand.

It was very scary when we detached the caravan from the car uphill and seeing the caravan going backward and struggling to stop it.

I know there is a mechanism to allow reverse drive during towing with the car, but the handbrake should work perfectly even in reverse direction.

Any ideas?

 

[Hutch]

Sorry I can't help with the problem, but my 2010 Coachman 560, had the same problem, in year one, and rolled into our garage over hang. Causing an insurance claim. The assessor said he had many of them for that year. Obviously something set up wrongly.

 

[RogerL]

It can take a foot (30cm) of rearward movement for the handbrake to engage - if it goes more than that it needs attention to the internal brake linkages.

 

[dav]

Far more than 30 cm...

 

[Hutch]

My caravan , totally engages within rolling back by 6 inches.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Seems to me the handbrake need attention

 

[Beachball]

I would get AWS mobile caravan engineer to come and check your handbrake for the peace of mind

 

[Dustydog]

Never seen a Spanish caravan. Is it built on an Al-ko chassis?

If yes as advised by others something has failed with the automatic reversing mechanism.

Note , on early models the hand brake lever could be , should be , moved double the distance of a “ forward “ application. It took up the slack from the auto,reverse.