CARAVAN HANDBRAKE ON OR OFF.

Caravan Handbrake on or off. we look at what to do with the caravan handbrake, should it be on or off. especially in storage your caravan handbrake should be left off.
We show how to secure your caravan while taking the handbrake off in storage.
If you have been thinking should my caravan handbrake be on or off we explain in this video
If your handbrake has been left on and your brakes are stuck on the caravan we show how you can release the brakes easily.
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[@colinmew7139]

Mark one of the best bits of advice you can give. Even on pitch I leave hand brake off.

[@thecaravanplace]

Thanks Colin

[@paulmorgan464]

Left my handbrake off and choke my wheels this also allows me to jack up the caravan and move my tyres round every couple of weeks

[@hairywol]

Good advice as ever. Might I suggest a video on the subject of the role of the jockey wheel on campsites. I have noticed that some 'vanners, including people with long experience, raise the jockey wheel once they are set up on site. I think it's weird and stresses the 'van, but your view would be welcome.

[@thecaravanplace]

Thanks Steve, a lot of people worry about the stress on the legs, If the floor is all ok with no damp issues then it won't cause any problems.

[@marcrufus5814]

Thanks Mark, Jogged my memory that I need to go to the storage and do some checking. Already drained down and pulled the cushions off the sides but need to check up on the battery and I will now be chocking the wheels every time it goes away.

[@thecaravanplace]

Great, thanks Marc

[@MrAlphafang]

Interesting stuff. Never chocked a caravan wheel yet. I always put the corner steadies down and take the handbrake off. None of my vans have ever moved. Plus never had any problems with the corner steadies.

[@thecaravanplace]

Thanks Paul 👍

[@user-uy5cs2py1z]

I've done it as I'm sure mentioned it previously, I've also put tyre protectors under the wheels ( I'm sure you mentioned them as well) These tips are great for a complete novice like me Keep up the good work

[@terryfielding8836]

Thanks Mark for sorting out the handbrake issue. Really helpful vlog

[@thecaravanplace]

Thanks terry

[@Andrew-hc3xs]

Great topic it’s my first year and winter with my caravan and did wonder if it’s best left on or off

[@thecaravanplace]

Thanks Andrew, we have done loads of winter tips on our Sunday videos if you are unsure on anything 👍

[@juliewatcham982]

Great advice Mark

[@thecaravanplace]

Thanks julie

[@thegrinch8161]

Or you could get underneath and use a piece of wood or a rubber mallet and give the rear of the drums a few taps but please don’t use a hammer as the tendency to hit it harder and you run the risk of breaking the drums

[@busterboy7505]

Cheers Mark, that’s put my mind at rest, 👍👍.

[@davroz]

Great video and advice as always. Our van is stored on quite a sloped drive and without the handbrake on it would roll backwards. Are chocks really enough? We use two wheel locks also.

[@thecaravanplace]

Tough one, as it depends on your chocks, but if good enough chocks and legs are down, then it should be secure.

[@rogerfarrington8571]

mark.i leave my van on a steep drive do still think using wheel chocks is the best option.thanks Roger.

[@thecaravanplace]

If they are good chocks and legs down it should be fine, a bit of a push against the chocks while someone I'd on the handbrake, that should test your chocks. If you can attach your breakaway cable to a ground anchor just for peace of mind.

[@martinkitchin6204]

Years ago I left the handbrake off a parked up Mini Metro...and it rolled it into the street 😳 Now that my c'van is stored up for the Winter at Mum's I'll periodically put the handbrake on and off (as well as charge up the leisure battery...😉)

[@thecaravanplace]

Thanks Martin 👍

[@brettforrest5850]

Great advice as always 👍

[@thecaravanplace]

Thanks Brett

[@cubatime72]

Here's a question loosely related to your video. On a swift like the one behind u at the start of this video, how do you operate the jockey wheel with the handbrake on?

[@thecaravanplace]

Yes they are awkward if the handbrake is fully up. You can push it down slightly and move the handle but can be a pain if on a slope going backwards. Only real way is to chock the wheels if on a slope then release the handbrake. This will allow the jockey wheel handle to wind. Bit of a pain though. 👍

[@cubatime72]

@@thecaravanplace thanks, at least I know its not just me missing something. Cheers and keep up the good work 👍

[@ianellis3227]

Good video Mark great advise as usual love these "tip" videos. A quick question, when our van is in storage we do all the things you mentioned but we also put the rear corner steadies down, whats your thoughts on putting the steadies down over winter storage, cheers Ian

[@thecaravanplace]

Hi Ian, yes no problem having all the legs down. 👍

[@adrianadamson9557]

So are you saying the hand brake will not stop the caravan rolling backwards? I store my caravan on our steep drive (1 in 10). I chock the wheels and leave the hand brake on because if a chock slips I am hoping the hand brake will stop it rolling backwards..

[@thecaravanplace]

No the handbrake will stop the caravan moving backwards when it's on, but the way the brakes work is that the drum can move backwards against them if forced with the handbrake off when the brakes are stuck. You will notice the caravan will roll back slightly and the handbrake comes fully up when on a slope backwards if that makes sense. But if set up properly the handbrake will stop the caravan from rolling backwards.

[@philip9657]

Best solution, keep using the caravan and put the heating on!! 😂

[@thecaravanplace]

It certainly is lol

[@denby87]

Always off...wheels chocked as only use handbrake on site...never had an issue...

[@matterhorn1975]

You should never leave the handbrake on anything for a long time, a caravan a motorhome a campervan or just a car. It's an absolute nightmare if you try and set-off and the handbrake is stuck on.

[@trevorholden969]

always leave ours off when in storage.

[@adiwilson42]

Never use the handbrake in storage