Help !! unable to reverse our caravan

[angela999]

Hi there, we have an 1986 Adria Tourer, which seems to fitted with a manual release lever for reversing ! But it seems like the hitch lock, has been replaced and now the release lever does not fit into any part of the new hitch lock. When we try to reverse up the drive way, the plunger is fully depressed, when we press the lever manually it does catch on the rim of the plunger but only is about 1cm wide.Surely this is not the way a the manual release lever was intended to work. it would mean holding the lever against the rim while the caravan is being reversed. Don't fancy this is dangerous ! The lever is a small metal bar that goes from left to right when depressed using a spring clip.

Anyone please advise?

Angela

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi angela

the plunger on the hitch has to be fully out before the lever will engage the brake overide.

next time try this:- pull on hand brake on van ease the car forwards till it tries to drag the van then hold the lever in the on position while slowly reversing the car untill it clicks in place then release van hand brake it should now overide the brakes and reverse ok?

if this works try using a bungee clip to hold the lever back pull forward untill it clicks then reverse.

colin

 

[angela999]

hi angela

the plunger on the hitch has to be fully out before the lever will engage the brake overide.

next time try this:- pull on hand brake on van ease the car forwards till it tries to drag the van then hold the lever in the on position while slowly reversing the car untill it clicks in place then release van hand brake it should now overide the brakes and reverse ok?

if this works try using a bungee clip to hold the lever back pull forward untill it clicks then reverse.

colin

Hi Colin, thank you will give it a go.

Angela

 

[gary]

It actually was how they worked, many years ago Dad used a bungie to hold his in.

That's the point though, what's this system doing on an 86 van? 76 yes!, automatic reverse was fitted as standard long long before 86!

I don't know but I'd suspect badly adjusted brakes on an automatic system?