Reversing a caravan

[Brian_374234561]

Hi all

We tow an Abbey Expression 550 (1490kg fully loaded) with a Citroen Grand Picasso 2.0Hdi semi-auto gearbox. It tows great, no problems at all apart from reversing. I have only reversed the 'van 3 times, once uphill on grass (full traction though) and turning the caravan and twice on flat tarmac, again turning the caravan onto its pitch - the clutch makes a terrible burning smell and jumps out of gear. Is this normal? I have had the car checked by Citroen and its fine, I am also well within my weight limits - could there be something wrong with the 'van? I am new to caravanning and read somewhere that when you reverse a caravan/push it backwards, the brakes engage? or did I read this wrong?

Any help/suggestions gratefully received from a rookie caravanner! cheers Brian

 

[paul_374349823]

Is the kerb weight of your car at least 1750kg? If not you are exceeding the 85% CandCC recommended car/caravan balance.

 

[Jeff-Pontypridd]

We've had a thread (or more) on this in the past - in that case, from Ford Galaxies. I've towed with three Galaxies now (and two different caravans, regularly serviced), and had a dreadful smell clutch whenever reversing. It even happened on the CC manoeuvering course!

One tip received was to drive forward a litle before reversing.

 

[Brian_374234561]

Is the kerb weight of your car at least 1750kg? If not you are exceeding the 85% CandCC recommended car/caravan balance.

Hi Paul

unladen weight of car is 1620kg, Citroen dont quote a kerb weight. I am told that kerb weight is different as it includes the driver and a full tank of fuel, but I'm no expert on this. Delivery weight of caravan plus essential payload is 1342kg which is 82%. I have to say this totally confuses me so when we bought the 'van the dealer checked the outfit match for me, so did Citroen. Both were happy we were well within our weights. When we tow with the 3 kids in the car, all the gear etc, we're at about 76% and within train weight and maximum tow weight of 1500kg set by Citroen. Happy for your advice on this, it seems to confuse others on the forums as well

 

[Lutz]

Is the kerb weight of your car at least 1750kg? If not you are exceeding the 85% CandCC recommended car/caravan balance.

Weight ratio has absolutely nothing to do with ability to reverse. I'd suggest that the brakes on the caravan are seen to. Maybe they are maladjusted and don't release properly when reversing.

 

[RogerP]

Hi Brian

I may wrong and probably dreamt this.

Is it to do with the hitch? I have something in my mind that if its an AL-KO hitch when you reverse it applies the van brakes so you need to lift the hitch lever to deactivate them.

As I say I may have dreamt this so please dont shoot me down anyone!!!!!!!

 

[Lutz]

I think your dreams are recollections from the dim and distant past, Roger. The days when one had to activate a brake release when reversing are something like 40 years back. Mind you, the brakes may be incorrectly adjusted so that the automatic release isn't working properly.

 

[Lutz]

I think your dreams are recollections from the dim and distant past, Roger. The days when one had to activate a brake release when reversing are something like 40 years back. Mind you, the brakes may be incorrectly adjusted so that the automatic release isn't working properly.

What you may be getting at, however, is the recommendation to release the pads on the stabiliser by lifting the handle when performing a lot of low speed manoeuvres, including reversing. However, this is only to reduce the wear on the pads and has nothing to do with difficulty when reversing as such, or extra load on the clutch.

 

[rayc]

I think Roger may be refering to reports that the Alko stabaliser was operating the brake handle when on the over run or reversing. This only applied to the non ratchette - one action type of handbrake. I havn't heard about it for some time but I notice that the operating handles of the hand brake have more of a bend on them these days.

 

[mistermac]

Hi

I may have dreamt this also - but somewhere I heard that reversing is made easier with the pressure taken OFF the Alko Stabiliser - ie. that it's still hooked up but the red handle is vertical instead of horizontal.

This may not resolve your problem, but it might help.

Mac

 

[Lutz]

Reversing is not made any easier. It just reduces wear of the friction pads if you release them (but that applies to slow manoeuvres when going forwards, too)

 

[Guest]

try not to rev then engine too much when reversing that might help.

 

[Rubix.]

I've never used an Alko stabiliser, but if you pull the handle up isn't there a chance the tow-hitch on the van could "jump" off the tow ball ? Or does the handle just relaese the stabiliser and not the tow hitch mechanism ?

 

[Rubix.]

I've never used an Alko stabiliser, but if you pull the handle up isn't there a chance the tow-hitch on the van could "jump" off the tow ball ? Or does the handle just relaese the stabiliser and not the tow hitch mechanism ?

 

[Rubix.]

I've never used an Alko stabiliser, but if you pull the handle up isn't there a chance the tow-hitch on the van could "jump" off the tow ball ? Or does the handle just relaese the stabiliser and not the tow hitch mechanism ?

Whoops, clicked twice can someone delete the dublicate post please. Thanks

 

[Rodone]

So long as the ball hitch handle is left down, with the green indicator button showing, raising the Alko stabiliser handle will only dissable the stabiliser. I seem to remember that Alko suggest you pull up the stabiliser handle when making tight turns onto pitch etc. to allow the van to pivot more easily.

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

Brian

The only thing I can think of has already been mentioned, & that is when you come to a stop the caravan brake is applied. If you reverse at this point you are pushing against the caravan brakes.

Pull forward a touch to release the brakes, then reverse.

 

[JeremyClarksson]

Is it possible that the van brake system is incorrectly adjusted meaning the brakes are not released properly?

 

[CheapnCheerful]

Remembering to stop very gently or the brakes will come on again!

 

[Brian_374234561]

Hi everyone

thanks very much for all your comments. I'm going to hitch the 'van up on Saturday, find a deserted car park and try everything suggested ! I'll let you know how I get on. If you see a clutch on fire in Basingstoke on Saturday you'll know it's me !

Cheers

Brian.

 

[alaintaylor]

Weight ratio has absolutely nothing to do with ability to reverse. I'd suggest that the brakes on the caravan are seen to. Maybe they are maladjusted and don't release properly when reversing.

Agree - check the van brakes are all OK, but also avoid high revs - make sure you use only enough engine power as necessary to move the van (and on the flat it's surprisingly little).

Alan

 

[alaintaylor]

Check the van brakes are all OK, but also avoid high revs - make sure you use only enough engine power as necessary to move the van (and on the flat it's surprisingly little).

Alan

 

[ThePlotter]

One cause for the smell is that clutches these days are not made with asbestos and as a result they get hotter in the same way as brake pads no longer contain asbestos and they get hotter hence the high incidence of warped brake discs.

 

[waffler]

I've had a similar problem. First ensure brakes collapse when you reverse- try on flat tarmac and pull forwrd a little before you reverse gently. The hitch should not rise. Reverse on the gear box is different to forward gears someway and doesn't have the springiness that forward ones do. This means the clutch action is rougher when reversing. Go back gently with low revs and as little slipping as possible. My problem was the fly wheel, (53 Santa Fe 2 Diesel), made of thin steel. It was replaced under warranty.

 

[Brian_374234561]

Hi everyone

pleased to say the clutch didnt catch on fire when I tried some of your suggestions last Saturday(!) I moved forwards slightly before reversing and it seems to have done the job. I only tried a couple of times as I was short on time, but we're going away next weekend so will try again then. Once again, thanks for your help. Brian