Handbrake when reversing can caravan run away backwards?

[Javert]

I have read several threads about this, and had it explained to my by 2 people, but I’m still not totally sure on this.

I was told that after parking up, I should push the caravan backwards to make the handbrake lever go vertical, so that the caravan can’t move in neither direction.

Some of the threads I have read on this topic implied that the caravan can run away backwards. But from what I understood, as long as I have applied the handbrake manually, if the caravan ran away it would only go a foot or so and then stop?

It would only be an issue if I either hadn’t applied the handbrake at all, or had not raised it enough (e.g. only to half the distance or whatever)?

 

[birdman101]

When the brake is on it will reverse and go up one notch. If parking on an incline I always chock the wheels for safety. A few years back friend pitched on sloping grass and applied the brakes. His wife was standing behind the Caravan and it moved backwards running her down and injuring Knee. After a few hours in A&E the holiday was aborted and headed back home. I don't think wet grass helped as it had only just finished raining.

 

[Javert]

When the brake is on it will reverse and go up one notch. If parking on an incline I always chock the wheels for safety. A few years back friend pitched on sloping grass and applied the brakes. His wife was standing behind the Caravan and it moved backwards running her down and injuring Knee. After a few hours in A&E the holiday was aborted and headed back home. I don't think wet grass helped as it had only just finished raining.

Yes we have also chocked the caravan to be safe, but fundamentally it seems I am correct that if the handbrake is applied correctly, the caravan cannot runaway backwards more than a few feet as the brake will then engage (unless the handbrake is actually faulty I suppose).

 

[otherclive]

I just pulled the lever as far as I could then on an incline it could self tighten as required. Also as z above like Birdman I would chock a wheel, whilst the other one had a clamp.

 

[Javert]

I just pulled the lever as far as I could then on an incline it could self tighten as required. Also as z above like Birdman I would chock a wheel, whilst the other one had a clamp.

Yes, I guess if you have either a wheel clamp or axle lock, this is even more insurance as the locked wheel can’t move anyway.

 

[black dog]

I have read several threads about this, and had it explained to my by 2 people, but I’m still not totally sure on this.

I was told that after parking up, I should push the caravan backwards to make the handbrake lever go vertical, so that the caravan can’t move in neither direction.

Some of the threads I have read on this topic implied that the caravan can run away backwards. But from what I understood, as long as I have applied the handbrake manually, if the caravan ran away it would only go a foot or so and then stop?

It would only be an issue if I either hadn’t applied the handbrake at all, or had not raised it enough (e.g. only to half the distance or whatever)?

I have towed vans and trailers when I was on the council we had a trailer backed into some how it rain away I was informed trailer brakes can be pushed into overdrive as in when u reverse???? It became company policy all trailers to be chocked .CHOCKS CAN AND DO SINK IT SEEN IT HAPPEN LED TO A RUNAWAY???
I've also found the trailer hadbake holds less on a rear end down slope than a front end down slope personal experience if in doubt use chocks I do even on a slight slope legs down before disconnecting I will put allegedly as all thing come up as in are the brakes in good order etc,
Check manual for the van you have maybe.

 

[Dustydog]

I just pulled the lever as far as I could then on an incline it could self tighten as required.

Was that on the Al-ko chassis?
My Bailey has never self tightened, well not that I am aware of.

After reversing into a pitch I always pull the caravan forward a few feet depending on the gradient. Let’s assume it’s flat. Pulling forward releases the compression on the over run spring and braking mechanism. The internal brake reversing mechanism will also be reset to normal road. Then the hand brake should work🤞

Fully agree about chocks etc

 

[otherclive]

Was that on the Al-ko chassis?
My Bailey has never self tightened, well not that I am aware of.

After reversing into a pitch I always pull the caravan forward a few feet depending on the gradient. Let’s assume it’s flat. Pulling forward releases the compression on the over run spring and braking mechanism. The internal brake reversing mechanism will also be reset to normal road. Then the hand brake should work🤞

Fully agree about chocks etc

Yes I couldn’t get it vertical but a slight movement of the van would move the lever to the vertical.

 

[black dog]

Both the trailer on council were well known brands you see regular on the road not alko both reacted the same they woud role upto a meter sometimes before handbrake grabbed

I have had the caravan creep back also similar to the trailers the van was abbey on a alko chasey
i never Never trust the handbrake legs down chock unhitch last
disengaged mover slowly look for movement mine was manually quick to re apply

 

[trevormonty]

Both the trailer on council were well known brands you see regular on the road not alko both reacted the same they woud role upto a meter sometimes before handbrake grabbed

I have had the caravan creep back also similar to the trailers the van was abbey on a alko chasey
i never Never trust the handbrake legs down chock unhitch last
disengaged mover slowly look for movement mine was manually quick to re apply

Leaving MM engaged isn't bad idea for additional holding power but only for night or two. Just make sure to turn master switch off.

 

[black dog]

Leaving MM engaged isn't bad idea for additional holding power but only for night or two. Just make sure to turn master switch off.

I only leave it on till I know van is definitely secure I carry two ramps and two chocks and ply pads for small level up jobs

 

[JTQ]

Paramount to whether the van can roll away backwards is how well the handbrake had been applied.

In short it needs to be on hard enough that the energy storage spring in the linkage under the front of the van can fully apply the handbrake; that is go from as far as you can pull it, to then on to the upright position.

Partly on it can quite easily roll backwards; I once witnessed this on a rally site, a recently unhitched van rolling backwards down the slope of a site. Missing everything, people, cars other units and even the numerous trees.

Its an expedient design without "yester years" pains of getting out to enable the reversing mechanism, but its characteristics have to be understood and the right action taken. Really ensure its pulled on very well. Lightly on it serves well stopping forward rolling, lulling the unknowledgeable into false security, but it does not stop rearwards rolling. The extra bit of energy you have built up in the storage spring does that, but only if you had.

 

[Javert]

Paramount to whether the van can roll away backwards is how well the handbrake had been applied.

In short it needs to be on hard enough that the energy storage spring in the linkage under the front of the van can fully apply the handbrake; that is go from as far as you can pull it, to then on to the upright position.

Partly on it can quite easily roll backwards; I once witnessed this on a rally site, a recently unhitched van rolling backwards down the slope of a site. Missing everything, people, cars other units and even the numerous trees.

Its an expedient design without "yester years" pains of getting out to enable the reversing mechanism, but its characteristics have to be understood and the right action taken. Really ensure its pulled on very well. Lightly on it serves well stopping forward rolling, lulling the unknowledgeable into false security, but it does not stop rearwards rolling. The extra bit of energy you have built up in the storage spring does that, but only if you had.

OK - there is a lot of theory about this, but maybe it could be asked in a different way.

Swift Sprite 2025 caravan. If the handbrake lever is pointing vertically upwards after the van has been rolled backwards (and the van won't move anymore when pushed), the handbrake is on properly?

 

[JTQ]

OK - there is a lot of theory about this, but maybe it could be asked in a different way.

Swift Sprite 2025 caravan. If the handbrake lever is pointing vertically upwards after the van has been rolled backwards (and the van won't move anymore when pushed), the handbrake is on properly?

Yes, but, there is always a "but", it has limited effectiveness so I never trust it completely, re backwards movement.

The brake design is not optimised for its backward capability, that's somewhat compromised to achieve the auto reversing feature.
[ Something I accept as it makes life easier but then I treat it accordingly]

I try my utmost to avoid pitches where rolling back would be significantly inherent. If I can't avoid it I get the Al-Ko Secure lock in place ASAP, as well as putting wedges behind the wheels. Though the latter can be prone to be pushed backwards so I have limited faith in their effectiveness. I am not over enthusiastic to take the movers off till the lock is in place, in those potential rearward rolling situations.

The wheel lock might allow a bit of movement but only a limited amount, not endangering us or anyone else. Just then, as its side loaded a pig to get off but that's in the scale of things a minor though addressable issue.

 

[otherclive]

Yes, but, there is always a "but", it has limited effectiveness so I never trust it completely, re backwards movement.

The brake design is not optimised for its backward capability, that's somewhat compromised to achieve the auto reversing feature.
[ Something I accept as it makes life easier but then I treat it accordingly]

I try my utmost to avoid pitches where rolling back would be significantly inherent. If I can't avoid it I get the Al-Ko Secure lock in place ASAP, as well as putting wedges behind the wheels. Though the latter can be prone to be pushed backwards so I have limited faith in their effectiveness. I am not over enthusiastic to take the movers off till the lock is in place, in those potential rearward rolling situations.

The wheel lock might allow a bit of movement but only a limited amount, not endangering us or anyone else. Just then, as its side loaded a pig to get off but that's in the scale of things a minor though addressable issue.

I used to use the mover to take the loading off of the Alko lock, only a fraction of an inch is required, but it stops any issues arising with the Alko lock.

 

[Javert]

I used to use the mover to take the loading off of the Alko lock, only a fraction of an inch is required, but it stops any issues arising with the Alko lock.

I must admit that until this thread, I had viewed the Alko secure lock only as a security device. However I am now starting to see the value in terms of locking the wheel from turning and therefore feeling more comfortable to release the handbrake when spending a long time on the pitch.

 

[JTQ]

I used to use the mover to take the loading off of the Alko lock, only a fraction of an inch is required, but it stops any issues arising with the Alko lock.

Likewise Clive, it's the ideal tool there ready for us , plus it being "on" simultaneously gives the van some inherent resistance from rolling away.