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Hi

I've just moved my first caravan onto a seasonal pitch (hoorah!) but am not sure what's the best thing to do with the handbrake - leave it on or off?  Leaving it on in cars for months on end obviously causes it to cease but is it best to leave it on in a caravan?

Any advice will be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance....

Hi ElleJ

When occupied on site we leave the handbrake on. When in storage it is off but the wheels are chocked.

Stay safe

Kevin

Hi,

I only ever use the handbrake when hitching or un-hitching. When on site or in store the van is chocked with a wheel clamp on.

I just don't like the idea of leaving the brakes on,  they are possibly designed for it but I think the chance of a drum sticking or cable stretching is too great even on a newish van.

Mr Ulti-Mate

Bit in practical caravan this month or was it Last? anyway thier answer was to chock the wheels first then release the handbrake and then lower the corner steadies.
If you lower the steadies before releasing the handbrake the van could move a bit and damage the corner steadies/chasis

The brake shoes can become stuck to the drum if the handbrake is left on over and extended time period.

Yes Kanno's right also moisture and water will cause rust deposits to form on drum's and brake shoes will definatly stick to this over a period of time and to free them can be troublesome. 

We left our handbrake on a couple of month ago,when we went to pick our caravan up the following time it had ceased and we had to get a engineer out.

That taught us a lesson.