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.

 

[Martin_E]

Up until recent years an issue with the AlKo brakes was that you could apply the handbrake, but if you didn’t apply the handbrake into the park position (fully upright) you could push the van round in a circle, but if (without releasing the handbrake) you then pushed the van the other direction the handbrake would rase to fully up and then the van wouldn’t move either direction until the handbrake was released.

Modern drums the last 5 years or so generally will lock the drum if you did the same.

You should always pull the van forward after reversing and applying the hand brake as the reversing mechanism collapses the brake shoe mechanism.

If you ask AlKo the handbrake isn’t deemed applied fully until the handle is upright.

 

[Johnb]

We live on a hill - reasonably steep but not unusually. When returning home the van is behind the car pointing up hill.

I would never trust the handbrake to stop the van rolling backwards when unhitched and always apply the motor movers, "drive" the van towards the car a little to release the pull of the extended hitch before anything else. Movers engaged, caravan brake applied, hitch pull released, then and only then, will I raise the hitch from the car to reverse the van into the driveway and on to its "home".

On site chocks and wheel lock prevent movement, assisted by the legs being firmly on the ground. I usually leave handbrake off depending upon circumstances but especially if staying a few days.

At home the van never has the handbrake applied but rests on level ground with legs down and security on.

Whilst the handbrake should stop the van rolling backwards it takes a braver man than me to test it when unhitching on a hill!

 

[otherclive]

We live on a hill - reasonably steep but not unusually. When returning home the van is behind the car pointing up hill.

I would never trust the handbrake to stop the van rolling backwards when unhitched and always apply the motor movers, "drive" the van towards the car a little to release the pull of the extended hitch before anything else. Movers engaged, caravan brake applied, hitch pull released, then and only then, will I raise the hitch from the car to reverse the van into the driveway and on to its "home".

On site chocks and wheel lock prevent movement, assisted by the legs being firmly on the ground. I usually leave handbrake off depending upon circumstances but especially if staying a few days.

At home the van never has the handbrake applied but rests on level ground with legs down and security on.

Whilst the handbrake should stop the van rolling backwards it takes a braver man than me to test it when unhitching on a hill!

Like you the handbrake was rarely used on site once pitched, except if the pitch had a slope, but it was supplemented by chocks, clamp and of course steadies. In store the pitch was level so wheel locks and steadies did the job, and the handbrake was disengaged.

 

[JTQ]

I also leave the van with handbrake off if stationary for more than a weekend; know from long ago how in the era of drum brakes how the shoes can bond very solidly with them. Most likely, as changing atmospheric conditions cause the traces of moisture needed to do that.

 

[RogerL]

I'm baffled! When I get to site I position the caravan using the mover and a ramp under one wheel if necessary, fit the Alko wheel lock and then apply the handbrake at the maximum I can muster - this is almost always at about 30 degrees from the horizontal.

So how can I get the handbrake vertical - without moving the caravan once it's in the correct position?

 

[Hutch]

Up until recent years an issue with the AlKo brakes was that you could apply the handbrake, but if you didn’t apply the handbrake into the park position (fully upright) you could push the van round in a circle, but if (without releasing the handbrake) you then pushed the van the other direction the handbrake would rase to fully up and then the van wouldn’t move either direction until the handbrake was released.

Modern drums the last 5 years or so generally will lock the drum if you did the same.

You should always pull the van forward after reversing and applying the hand brake as the reversing mechanism collapses the brake shoe mechanism.

If you ask AlKo the handbrake isn’t deemed applied fully until the handle is upright.

In 2010, we bought a new Coachman 545, after 6 months of use placing the van on our drive, applied handbrake to the 60⁰ position and unhitched the van, it then rolled into the garage parapet. The brake lever had risen to 90⁰. Called the insurance due to cracked rear panel, the insurance assessor took one look and said he had had about 10 claims for the same thing with AlKo chassis.
Dealer replaced rear panel and correctly adjusted the brakes.

 

[Hutch]

I'm baffled! When I get to site I position the caravan using the mover and a ramp under one wheel if necessary, fit the Alko wheel lock and then apply the handbrake at the maximum I can muster - this is almost always at about 30 degrees from the horizontal.

So how can I get the handbrake vertical - without moving the caravan once it's in the correct position?

I tend not to use the AlKo lock, I set the caravan, ramp ,chock, handbrake on and motor move back until handbrake lever moves to vertical and then rechock the wheels, and then apply a different wheel lock.

 

[JTQ]

I'm baffled! When I get to site I position the caravan using the mover and a ramp under one wheel if necessary, fit the Alko wheel lock and then apply the handbrake at the maximum I can muster - this is almost always at about 30 degrees from the horizontal.

So how can I get the handbrake vertical - without moving the caravan once it's in the correct position?

It wont , but if it does not move then the handbrake does not need to do anything, its only when it moves, as in starting to roll away the handbrake is needed.
Then , if set as you state it will if inclined just move a bit backward , fly on with the handle going vertical. That is if you pulling it on hard enough has fully compressed the energy storing spring in the pull rod; that's why it has the spring.
As set it will be quite well on with respect to any inclination to move forward.