Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Heleneva]

My '73 Fibreline has a strange lever next to the handbrake which sometimes slides backwards when I try to reverse and locks the brakes. If I unhitch the caravan from the car and push it back by hand then its not a problem. Obviously this method of reversing is v difficult in narrow country lanes. Can anyone explain or help me solve this problem?

[Peter_L]

I never had a Viking Caravan, so I don't know the details, however, the lever is very likely there to lock the over run brakes.

An over run braking system on any trailer or caravan comes into operation when the towing vehicle slows down. (e.g brakes applied|) The hitch is designed to slide backwards and forwards. As the towing vehicle slows down the trailer is allowed to move forward on the slide. This movement is used to transfer movement to the brakes on the trailer.

When reversing, the backwards travel of the tow vehicle has the same effect on the slide mechansim and that movement is once again transferred to the trailer brakes.

Before reversing, the slide mechanism has to be prevented from working.

Very often the action of coming to a stop before reversing, causes the slide to move all the way forwards, when this happens, the trailer hand brake needs to be applied and the tow vehicle inched forward, so the slide moves all the way in the opposite direction. When this is achieved, the over run inhibitor can be brought into use, the trailer hand brake applied and reversing can take place.

If the over run brakes are working and the over run is not inhibited correctly, it should not be possible to reverse the trailer as the brakes will be on.

If in doubt about the correct operation of the trailer brakes it may be wise to take it along to a caravan dealer/repairer etc, who should be able to assist and explain "in the flesh" the correct and safe operation.

There are mechanical and electrical devices that inhibit the over run from working when the reversing, without having to set it manually, but as the trailer brakes need to be working correctly for safe towing, I would suggest taking the route outlined above and seek expert advice with your vehicle and trailer present...

[European Voyager]

I think you are talking about the manual locking lever to stop the brakes comming on when you are reversing . Can you post or send a picture ?

[Ratimics]

Hi Heleneva,

I have a '69 Viking. I can confirm the lever is as already explained in replies here - it is to isolate the 'van brakes when reversing. It's pretty simple in operation - just make sure to push back on the 'van (to extend the hitch) before selecting the lever to the rear. Then you'll be able to reverse the 'van without effort. By, "push back on the 'van", I mean that I get out of the car, go to the tow hitch and gently push on the caravan (still connected to the car) This extends the tow mechanism and you can then select the lever to the rear. Get back in the car and reverse as normal.
* N.B. IMPORTANT: When you've finished reversing, don't forget to repeat the operation and put the lever back to the forward position - If you don't, the caravan brakes will NOT work. (The lever is supposed to drop out after reversing - i.e. to allow normal operation of the brakes but I've found mine wasn't always reliable in this - so I always reselect after reversing.)

I hope this helps.

Regards,
R.