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Hi all,

Restoration now nearly completed on my 1988 Abbey Stafford. I am now doing the essentials before use, ie new tyres, checking everything else.

I have noticed that the handbrake holds perfectly if you try to move the caravan forward, however I can push it backwards easily as if there is no braking at all. I am aware that there is a system that allows the brakes to come off when reversing, but I would have thought that the handbrake would work as on a car. I have been told that this is how they are (by an ex swift salesman), but I want to be certain.

The handbrake is applied after about three clicks on the ratchet. I have searched the forum and found the link that the Wizard posted regarding adjustment. If I do adjust everything, will the handbrake then work in both forward and backward motion?

Many thanks for your continuing help!

Rich.

Are you lifting the handbrake up fully ( pointing skyward ) , it will need some force to pull it up . When you lift it , it compresses a spring ( energy store tube ) have a look at this picture .

When you lift the handbrake far enough the tension bar gets pulled forward , this compresses the spring cylinder . Now when reversing ( using your car ), as the wheels rotate backwards the brake shoes release to allow you to reverse .
The spring cylinder stores energy to reapply the brakes when your sited should the wheels rotate backwards .

atb

Wizard

Thanks for the replies,

The damper is working fine, however,  I will check how much tension is on the rod. The situation I am referring to is when the caravan is unhitched, without any pressure from the towing shaft. I can push the caravan backwards by hand easily, but the brakes are fine if I try to move it forward.

Rich.