To store my caravan I need to reverse it up a (not very steep) slope. The problem is that, as it goes uphill, the caravan brakes go on and the caravan can't be moved.
Is there a solution to this? I really need help. Is there some way of stopping the brakes going on? Am I going to have to winch it in from the back or what? Help!
--You either have a very old caravan(1970s)were you have a reverse lock---or your caravan brakes need stripping down & servicing because caravan brakes only operate going forwards to permit you to reverse--
When I start to reverse I can feel brakes for a second or two and then they go off. It might be worth making sure someone has not wound the hand brake cables up instead of adjusting at hubs and damper shaft on hitch is free. Otherwise it's stripdown I'm afraid mate.
the brakes should come off,but if you are reversing up a steep hill the hitch will depress on the damper and put them back on again.its designed to apply the brakes when pushed in.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Thank you everyone. Keep them coming!. I think "michael" has put his finger on the problem. I need to reverse up a hill that is steep enough for the weight of the caravan on the slope depresses the damper. So what I need is some way of stopping the damper getting depressed. Or disconnecting the damper from the brakes - probably not easy. (Or maybe pushing on the caravan is such a way that it doesn't go through the damper???)
Another possibility is that there is something wrong with the brakes. The caravan is new to me but it seemed to reverse OK until it got to the critical bit of the hill. I need to check that I guess.
Nick
Not sure if this is any help but ifor williams trailers can have an overide fitted to stop the brakes applying when reversing
------------- 'Plastic Pig' driver
(got a new plastic Hyundai - Santa Fe)
2011 -
? Mr PP has just gone and bought another business, holiday?...we should be so lucky!
When you reverse a caravan up a slope or hill you must make sure that the caravan brakes are not on before you start to reverse.
Think of it like this. If you are traveling down hill and put your car brakes on then you would come to a stop and you know that the caravan brakes would be in the on position, so you know you can not revers until you have deactivated the caravan brakes.
To do this you must put chocks under the front of the caravan wheels, then let the car roll forward a few inches so the draw-bar is fully extended and the caravan brakes are released. You are now free to reverse up the slope.
Quote: Originally posted by anoble on 18/8/2009
When you reverse a caravan up a slope or hill you must make sure that the caravan brakes are not on before you start to reverse.
Think of it like this. If you are traveling down hill and put your car brakes on then you would come to a stop and you know that the caravan brakes would be in the on position, so you know you can not revers until you have deactivated the caravan brakes.
To do this you must put chocks under the front of the caravan wheels, then let the car roll forward a few inches so the draw-bar is fully extended and the caravan brakes are released. You are now free to reverse up the slope.
Spot-on Anoble - I wonder how many have been caught out thus? Almost worth putting this in a Sticky somewhere - Repairs maybe?
Pete
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Reversing Uphill into a garage.
