Handbrake problem

dadbab
dadbab Forum Participant Posts: 9
edited September 2016 in Caravans #1

Hi,  First time on here so please bear with me. 

I have a Bailey Ranger 470-4  (2001) and am

very new at caravanning. The other week when setting off for a trip, I couldn't have hitched up correctly as the caravan came off as we pulled off the drive.  Since then the handbrake has not worked correctly.  When I pull
the handle up it does not catch and so doesn't hold the brake on. I use chocks at the moment but need advice on fixing the handbrake.  Can you help me please? Thanks. Bryan 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

  • bandgirl
    bandgirl Forum Participant Posts: 440
    100 Comments
    edited September 2016 #2

    Hello Bryan, and welcome.  I can't answer your question about the handbrake, I'm afraid, but I can sympathise as the same thing happened to us when we got our new (to us) car.  We thought the hitching up went easier than normal, started to pull away then
    bang!  Now we always lower the jockey wheel until the back of the car is raised up.  A sure fire way of checking you're securely hitched up.  I hope you get your answer soon.  Personally I'd get it checked by a service engineer, but I'm no great DIYer.

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭
    1,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited September 2016 #3

    I'll move this to the Caravans section as this section is for questions to invited guests on specific topics when they are timetabled.  There is no 'Expert' live at the moment.

    David 

  • Astro76
    Astro76 Forum Participant Posts: 62
    edited September 2016 #4

    Sounds like this is a job to get a caravan mechanic to look at.  And I'd certainly not try towing it anywhere as it sounds like you don't have working breaks on your caravan.  Just imagine what will happen if there's an accident and the insurance finds out
    about the problem.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #5

    Sounds like the caravan has landed on the under side of the handbrake mechanism and bent something Undecided

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited September 2016 #6

    Definitely a job for a mechanic, the lower part of the lever will have a ratchet mechanism where there is obviously some damage and might? need to be dismantled to sort it out. Whether it's affecting the operation of the brakes when towing is another matter. Speak to a local garage mechanic or a mobile caravan repairer. Once sorted, do as Bandgirl suggests, after hitching onto the ball, always wind the wheel down a couple of inches and see if the back of the car starts to lift. You will then know if it is locked on or not.

  • dadbab
    dadbab Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited September 2016 #7

    Many thanks all of you who replied. Not being mechanically gifted, I think it will be a case of callingin a mechanic. Early lesson learned, probably at my expense, but one that will not be repeated.

    Thanks again

    Bryan Laughing

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #8

    Definitely a job for a mechanic, the lower part of the lever will have a ratchet mechanism where there is obviously some damage and might? need to be dismantled to sort it out.
    Whether it's affecting the operation of the brakes when towing is another matter. 

    The problem is that as the hanbrake is not locking on then should the 'van become unhitched during towing the break away cable will put the caravan handbrake on to stop the 'van. The cable will then break as intended but presumably the handbrake will then
    release and no braking!!

Categories