Help! <span class="highlight">Caravan</span> Brakes

Hi John,

Thanks for this. I thought they were pulling my leg. I also read somewhere where you can rough up the brake shoes and drum with some fine sandpaper.

I'll give holding the controller on while driving (on and off that is) and see how that goes first.

Regards,

Sn00py2

Thanks Notso.

Hi B1B2,

I have the same controller as you. I have it set at the B3 setting with the adjusting wheel fully would up.

I'll try as they suggest and see how that goes.

Good point on using the manual override to stop sway induced by semi's. I also have ESC on the Van so hopefully that will help also.

Thanks for your reply,

Sn00py2

Snoopy,
B3 should knock your socks off.
I would now be looking at the adjustment on the drum.
If you jack it up and check the hand brake as well. See how far you need to pull the handbrake on before you can't turn it.
A matter of eliminating potential problems.
I couldn't drive mine on B3 for long it is SO aggressive.
Do you notice a difference between the 3 settings? If not I would be looking at (or eliminating) a wiring problem.

Good Luck

Hi B1B2,

On the old van I used to use B1 setting and it would hold the van and car on a slope. Lock the Van wheels on grass. With the new van I get nothing on B1, only just noticeable on B2 and B3 is a little better but not much.

I got the dealer to adjust the brakes. He jacked up each side, tightened until the wheels locked then backed off 8 clicks. He says that this is the correct number to back off. I will try as they suggested first, drive and brake every few 100 meters to see if that makes a difference. If that does not improve the braking, I will move to Plan B, take the wheels/drums off and give the shoes/drums a light sand and try again. Plan C is to adjust the brakes myself.

I always thought the correct way to adjust drum brakes was to (1) jack up the wheel, (2) turn the adjuster until the wheel won't turn and than (3) back off until the wheel is free again.

I'll let you know the result. Let's hope the weather is fine for the weekend so I can make the adjustments without getting wet.

Cheers,

Sn00py2

According to the Tekonsha instructions B2 is for Vans approx same size as tug and B3 is for vans 40% heavier than tug
Im with B1B2 with this and look at the wiring or somewhere other than the controller.

I had mine set on B1 on 2 different vans and the controller adjustment on 6.5 and it would smoke the tyres on dry tarseal in a panic stop.

B3 would have ripped the wheels off it I had my adjusters a little closer than 8 clicks.

The way the brakes work they need a certain amount of free play to allow the magnets to move and pull the shoes onto the drums. The boost is actually only a way of starting off at a higher voltage and thus applying the brake harder sooner

Thanks TomH,

I'll see how I go first with bedding in the brakes. The controller worked fine on the old van and it is only the van that has changed.

Cheers,

Sn00py2

Hi tazbaz,

Thanks for this. If "bedding in" does not improve the brakes, then I will look at the controller and wiring.

Regards,

Sn00py2

Hi Dozer,

It's a new Van. I had the voltage checked with the engine running and it was 13.3 volts. Also, it is powered directly from the battery and it has a circuit breaker installed.

Regards,

Sn00py2

Snoopy,
The Circuit breaker must be an automatic resetting type. When the auto elec fitted mine he put it through a blade fuse and of course it blew while driving around the hills. I took it back to him and he rectified this. Not part of your current problem but worth knowing.

Cheers,

Hi B1B2, Yes, there is a Circuit Breaker installed and it is auto resetting.

Thanks for the input.

Sn00py2

Hi Marty,

Interesting. I'll add this to me list of thinks to try.

Cheers, Sn00py2