My view is if it's on the caravan it's there for a reason. Safety in numbers. I never leave my motor mover on. Only to put it on a pitch or once done use it out put on the drive.. Understand where you are coming from Martin 100%. But it's one of them damed if you do. Damed if you don't. I personally use it every time. If it's there use it.

Thanks for putting this discussion on, as a newbie I follow the instruction to leave off when in storage due to risk of seizing, but as usual (it seems) as with most things to do with caravans, it is a subjective topic with a few variations in the responses and opinions 🙃

Each to their own, however to be safe, I would always recommend using the hand brake even in storage. If the brakes do stick on, no problem they will easily release themselves within a couple of inches of being towed.

The important thing is that your brake / handbrake actually work, it's a legal requirement. How will you know they work if you never use, test or exercise them? Yes, the brakes sticking on can be a real PITA but maybe you should worry more about them sticking 'off' because you never tried them. Your handbrake mechanism is what stops your van if it becomes detached. Chocks aint gonna stop a runaway.

Interesting subject Martin. Out of habit I put the handbrake on. I also mostly leave the movers engaged. But I of course worry that the brakes might jam and the tires might get damaged and some springs in the movers might stretch 😳 We shouldn’t worry about these things, but I do personally.

Caravanned for 24 years and stored my ‘van at home the whole time. Always used the handbrake while van is parked up whether it be at home or parked on site and we’ve never had an issue with it seizing on.

Exactly the same. Handbrake off in storage. If we are on a pitch generally just for extra piece of mind I use it. Motor mover for moving only.

I always use the handbrake as in our storage yard it's legs down handbrake on so I just do it on pitch. If you were to have an incident I don't know how your insurance would take it if you didn't use the handbrake though.

We always put the handbrake on when not hitched to car and as for our motor mover, the fitter said it was perfectly fine to use that as a brake. Keep safe Mark & Coral

Handbrake off in storage, handbrake on when hitching and unhitching. I have the Handbrake on when away. I only leave the motormover engaged when using.

Hi Martin. Once legs down wheel lock and choked, handbreak always off. It doesn't matter if on site or at home. It's what i was taught and practised for nearly 20 years. Not seen me wrong yet. Keep up the great content. Rgds Kevin

I have a ground post with a tow ball on top for docking the caravan at home on level ground so I leave the handbrake off. On site I leave it on as I find the dog lead fits over the handbrake perfectly. I'd never leave the motor mover engaged.

Handbrake on. It's there. So use it. Never had an issue with seizing up

Always use the handbrake. Storage has a slight incline.

Hello Martin, I leave handbrake off in storage, alko wheel lock on one side and millenco wheel lock on another side, steadys down, and no one inside the caravan can’t see it moving, but on a pitch handbrake on, 👍.

I think, if the van is on 95% level ground, it's OK to leave the handbrake off, especially if pitched long-term. If on a slope the brake is needed as there will be pressure on the legs, which aren't designed to withstand sideways force. There must be a calculation for 1,500 KG, force resulting from the 5% slope. Chocks could be used to address that sideways force, but this would have to be done very carefully and in correct order i.e. chocked first, then legs down.

Always off in storage. Always on when on site. Advised by service engineer to leave off in storage to save brakes seizing on.

Hi Martin, You will know this anyway as you hold a C+E licence. Any trailer with a gross weight over 750kg has to have brakes..so on the back of this adding a handle and additional cable/Rod is part of the package. Also a handbrake would help if you ever had a breakdown and the caravan/trailer had to be uncoupled from the tow vehicle to be towed separately. Great video as always. Best Wishes Linda and Glenn.

Like you, always when it’s stood on level, it’s off, only use it when unhitching on slope onto driveway and then it’s motormovers.

I never use mine Martin. I use the chocks just like you. I don't want the brakes seizing.

I use mine on site but in storage I tend to use the Alko secure wheellock to prevent the caravan from moving and ensure the handbrake does not seize up.

I never leave a motor mover engaged, it deforms the tyre which I think can't be a good thing. Pretty much the same plan with the handbrake, only ever used when necessary, so as an example unhitching. I put the hanbrake on to unhitch and as soon as possible I chock my wheels, regardless of level or sloping surface. Whilst handbrakes are mechanical and are less prone to failure than hydraulic brakes they can, and do fail. Also they are open to being interfered with, where as well placed chocks, especially when under pressure, are less easy to remove. A properly fitted wheel locks by its very purpose will also prevent wheels from turning.

Always off in storage got various trailers etc and chocked. Only time I left on horse trailer they stuck on ...easy enough to free off if you know how ....if shoes get damp they will stick to drum eventually..only use caravan handbrake on site as it's only on for max 10 days ....just my opinion...other opinions are available.😊

I use my handbrake when physically moving the caravan,or coupling up on slope.

I put my caravan hand brake on all the time when I’m on a pitch and on the Drive I might leave it off though winter so it doesn’t stick to the drum

Hi Martin. Been towing now for forty years and never leave handbrake on in storage but then my wheel lock is on and steadies down. On site always use handbrake, that's what it's there for. I'm pretty sure if you did have a claim on insurance, they would not cover you. Keep up the good work mate and enjoy your time ;))

Like very much the chocks with handle on the side. What make are these n where from please

I always chock wheels front at back when unhooking, handbrake doesn't stop backwards movement and can sometimes allow a little forward movement. Enough to dent car bumper. In regards to leaving MMs engaged not good idea long term. They can add extra thief protection in short term (couple days) if using automatic engagement versions. Need allen key and knowledge to disengage them manually.

Hi, We never use the hand brake, it seems to be a token gesture on caravans 😮. Our first van had a proper ratchet hand brake. Since then they seem to be useless. No matter how hard you try you can't fully apply it, our van a swift will roll back about an inch before engaged. Use the motor mover to stop the van rolling once legs and chocks deployed motor mover removed then happy days. Never had an issue with this method in 16 yrs of vanning 😊. P and J 👍

Hi Martin, superb debate started, but handbrake off at both storage and site. If the site has a slope we use wedges on the wheels and no issues so far. The only time I have used the handbrake was at Whitley Bay and that site slopes with high winds.

Not at home, not on site - occasionally when getting set up

Previous caravan didn't have a motor mover. Handbrake was essential when pushing caravan on a slope, to stop it running away.

Handbrake always on, both in storage and on site. Never had a problem with brakes sticking. The Handbrake is there to be used.

Hi. Hand brake off when at home on drive wheel locks on and hitch lock never leave motor mover on. Hand brake on when on site. X

Handbrake on when on site. Never thought not to maybe just a habit. In storage leave off so doesn't cease over time. Legs downs with alco wheel lock cant roll anyway.

No only when removing caravan from tow bar or un level ground because most people use wheel blocks even when they’re on level ground it’s common sense 😊

As far as i know its not a good idea leaving the mover engaged as the tyre will stay that shape and and it will go down and not reinflate

Same as you we don’t use the handbrake👍👍

Hi Martin. Off in storage on sometimes on a pitch. I think leaving it on for long periods might cause the breaks to cease on. Same opinion as you really maybe it will cause a problem or not ? Thanks for sharing 👍

First, if reversed caravan on to pitch, how do you pull towhitch back out? If you use blocks, then I can see no need for hand break when sited. I would never consider not using the handbrake.

Hi Martin, always use handbrake on when we are pitched up on site Different when in storage yard never use it And that was a tip I was given a while ago so Some may say it’s not a tip some will say it was Some times leave the works van in gear overnite with no handbrake, it’s one of them 🤷🏼‍♂️🤣

Do the same as you only use it on Unilever pitch or bad weather wind ?

Only use handbrake on a slope or if there is a chance of rolling

Hi Martin, handbrake is off in storage. On the drive at home ( slight slope as you know) it’s on. I’ve always put it on when sited, sort of autopilot. I haven’t helped have I ? 😂😂

Hi Martin, Just a small point , are you quitting KZfaq ? In your question about the handbrake , I left the handbrake off when in storage . Luckily for me I went to check the caravan after a spate of really windy weather and our caravan had moved ( slightly ) . Not sure if it was to do with it being stood on pea gravel ? Anyway, the wheel lock kept it from moving but I’ve put the handbrake on ever since and also chocked the wheels .

The only time i use the handbrake is when hitching and unhitching the van..

I never leave hand brake in storage once legs are down, same on site if on a level pitch

Hi Martin. It's the same as what came first the chicken or the egg 😂 to be honest, I leave it off all the time. And in our storage yard, there's a mix of on and off. I do think it's a bit of an old wife's tales. On or off, it doesn't matter. Paul

I use handbrake when unhitching, before engaging motor movers, only needs a small incline to move. The use of handbrake on a pitch or storage - if you use an Alko lock it cannot move anyway, so why bother

Never use my hand brake, always off,on site chock wheels,legs down the van won't go anywhere

Does this mean I don't have to use hand brake in my wagon 😂

Always leave handbrake off choke wheels before taking mover off after levelling van and putting legs down never had any problems

On site handbrake always on. In storage handbrake off. We have Alko lock on the wheel so it’s not going to move. Wedges on the other wheel. Handbrake of in storage to prevent brakes sticking on. Same if storing car handbrake off.

Always use the handbrake when on a pitch regardless of it being level or not. If you don’t and you inevitably end up using a ramp to level the van, all that’s holding it in place are the corner steadies. These are vertical movement supports, not brakes. Even if you use wheel chocks the van can move quite a way until the wheel rises the chock and hopefully stops (could possibly roll over the top of the chock). If you are lucky you may just damage the steadies, unlucky and the steadies rip out of the floor. Worst case if you are on a sloping pitch and had a runaway van then good luck with an insurance claim having left the handbrake off. The hand brake is there for a purpose, no excuse not to use it.

handbrake off all the time in storage and on site

Hi Handbrake off or the shoes will stick to the drums. thanks Andrew.

What's the point when the steadies are down. It won't go far. I only use it when unhitching from the car.

I only use on pitch not wen in storage or in my case on drive brakes will bind if leave on all the time so I am told by service engineer