Reversing with a Powermover

[Dennis_374238205]

I have a Powertouch mover fitted to my single axle Hymer caravan.

Do I need to push in the alko hitch to release the brakes when reversing? i.e will the caravan think it is rolling backwards and engage the brakes if I do not..

 

[rambler1]

You do not have to push in the hitch just engage the rollers of powertouch on the tyres then operate the hand control it will go in any direction without altering anything else.You do not seem to understand how the brakes work.Obviousley when van attached and you brake the car the hydraulic ram on the hitch applies the brakes.When you reverse the brakes are not released as such but the system realises that the van wheels are going in reverse and adjusts the brake calipers to stop the brakes coming on.Indeed on older vans you had to engage a bar to stop the ram from putting on the brakes as you reversed.Hope this explains it and is of some use to you

PS make sure you take handbrake off prior to using the mover

Happy vanning

John

 

[Dennis_374238205]

You do not have to push in the hitch just engage the rollers of powertouch on the tyres then operate the hand control it will go in any direction without altering anything else.You do not seem to understand how the brakes work.Obviousley when van attached and you brake the car the hydraulic ram on the hitch applies the brakes.When you reverse the brakes are not released as such but the system realises that the van wheels are going in reverse and adjusts the brake calipers to stop the brakes coming on.Indeed on older vans you had to engage a bar to stop the ram from putting on the brakes as you reversed.Hope this explains it and is of some use to you

PS make sure you take handbrake off prior to using the mover

Happy vanning

John

Thanks John..but when the caravan is unhitched and the car is not pushing the hitch in as it would when going backwards.. the hitch is in the fully extended role and hence this is not quite the same situation as you detailed..or am I being thick???

 

[Damian]

Thanks John..but when the caravan is unhitched and the car is not pushing the hitch in as it would when going backwards.. the hitch is in the fully extended role and hence this is not quite the same situation as you detailed..or am I being thick???

Dennis,

When the hitch is fully extended, as in when disconnected from the car, the brakes are not touching the drums, so will be happy to go in either direction until the handbrake is applied, then, if going backwards, the shoes will "drop" into the reverse braking position.