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Handbrake Lever With Spring
Cylinder (Fig. 42):
Apply handbrake fully ensuring that
handbrake is in the vertical position.
This will ensure that the spring cylinder
energy store is fully loaded and will
automatically re-apply the wheel brakes
if the trailer starts to roll backwards.
Caution:
If the handbrake is not fully applied
as detailed above, there is danger
that the trailer could roll backwards!
Automatic Handbrake Lever (Fig.
43):
Ensure handbrake is fully applied (as
highlighted). This will ensure that the
gas strut or spring cylinder will
automatically re-apply the wheel brakes
if the trailer starts to roll backwards.
Caution:
If the handbrake is not fully applied
as detailed above, there is danger
that that the trailer could roll
backwards!

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In both cases above it says the brakes are only reapplied if the trailer moves backwards (after reversing into position). The Alko link above in Michael's post (next to fig 5) says that it may take 10 inches to do this. So in conclusion before the caravan moves backwards (ie when it is parked with the handbrake on), the brakes are not applied and are therefore nowhere near the wheel and therefore cannot bind ?!?

I'll probably give up now as my head hurts......

Quote: Originally posted by shirl250 on 09/10/2010

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I'll probably give up now as my head hurts......

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If the handbrake did work in these circumstances why would the handbrake have to be applied fully in order to prime the power store ? What would be the point of all that business other than to be ready to apply the brakes if the van moves backwards !??????

Nighty night......

Quote: Originally posted by Viggo on 08/10/2010

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I'd have thought it good policy to move a caravan every few weeks while it's in storage, just to avoid this problem and move the tyres (presuming winter wheels not in use).

In answer to the original question, I'd have thought it depends on the steepness of the slope on the driveway in question. Chocks may not safely hold the van, in which case put the brake on!

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Quote: Originally posted by Zorro on 10/10/2010

Quote: Originally posted by Viggo on 08/10/2010I'd have thought it good policy to move a caravan every few weeks while it's in storage, just to avoid this problem and move the tyres (presuming winter wheels not in use).

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In answer to the original question, I'd have thought it depends on the steepness of the slope on the driveway in question. Chocks may not safely hold the van, in which case put the brake on!

Thing is not everyone keeps their caravan in storage elsewhere, & if you keep it at home most folks only have one place it can really go. Normally not much room left to move it about after that. At any rate I don't need to shift mine about because it's `legs down handbrake off' - sorted !

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Well, I finally got round to taking a pic of the situation in the OP...