Reversing/Caravan brakes

[elddisflyer]

Hi All

New to the forum and have just read the post below on reversing, very interesting. This is my situation too.....

Do the brakes on the caravan come on as you reverse, especially up a slight gradient, like where I live.

I have a six month old Renault Scenic(1.5 desiel)and clutch did burn something terrible, although I was slipping clutch in and out to control speed. (17ft elddis)

The movers are so expensive and have concerns about drain on 12v battery. People on forum seem to have problems with them as well.

I would be interested to hear others thoughts, any help appreciated

Dave

 

[Jaydug]

The design of caravan brake assemblies should allow the van to be reversed without the brake shoes contacting the drums. Within each drum there's an auto-release mechanism which, when put in reverse prevents the shoes contacting the drum. If the drums have been over-adjusted, the shoes will make contact before the mechanism collapes.

 

[Jaydug]

David - You need have no fear that a decent 12volt battery won't cope with a motor mover. I fitted mine almost a year ago and already it's had a lot of use. And without any trouble - and even if I did, it's guaranteed for 5 years.

 

[elddisflyer]

Hi John

Thanks for your reply, so this indicates that the caravan brakes would release as I reversed up the incline. just need to try hold the car on the clutch less...

A mover would be nice though...

cheers

Dave

 

[john_5066263]

Dear Dave,

new as well to forum.Dave i,m actually interested with your scenic/elddis outfit. my outfit is 2.0 petrol scenic rx4/17 ft elddis. last week went caravan shopping to up grade and got a shock. i was informed that i actually couldn`t pull any of the caravans except the small eribira. on returning home i looked into my own outfit, thought i`d done my homework with weight ratios etc and found that i`ve been towing illegally this being confirmed with the c.c and tow sure, it seems renault have a lovely max tow weight until you put the rest of the family in and pack the caravan for the trip, that the max tow weight drops dramaticly. please check your out-fit or it could cost you .

 

[elddisflyer]

Hi John

My Scenics Gross Train weight is 2950Kgs and I can tow 1300Kgs which is more than the Elddis's 1250Kg max weight.

However, Renault limit tow weight To 1000Kgs if other situations exist, in other words more than the Driver. This is based on the all up weight of 1920Kgs for the car and the 1000Kgs towing equalling 2950Kgs Gross Train weight.

I'm confident the Car doesn't reach the 1920Kgs and my Elddis Loaded is like to work out about 1140Kgs which is appox 85% of my 1340Kgs Kerbweight.

It is tight, but I am a cauious driver and have Experience in towing and do intend to get everything weighed on a Weighbridge.

I read somewhere on the NTTA's site the Police take the Gross Train Weight as the legal maximium. I always thought that you never exceed the Cars Kerbweight from the legal point of view.

Its a fair point, and I found Caravan dealers lately to be very/to casual about this issue and I was fairly knowledgable on this, but no expert....

Regards

Dave