I just brought the new RV home tonight and it's parked out in front of the house on an incline. The incline isn't awful but it would definitely roll down the hill and do some major damage if the parking brake gave way. How does the parking brake work exactly? Once the vehicle is off is there real risk of it letting go? I don't really have any thing to put under the tires but if I need to I will. It'll be in storage by tomorrow afternoon.
The parking brakes are applied by spring brakes on the rear wheels, and they are activated either by low air pressure in the brake system or by pulling the parking brake knob which dumps the air pressure in the brake chambers.
IF (IF!) your brakes are properly adjusted (the automatic slack adjusters have recently been "exercised" by 5-6 full-on presses on the brake petal with full air pressure while stopped,) the parking brakes should hold pretty well on hills, but it's always advisable to chock the wheels on steep hills, especially since you may not know the current condition of the brakes on your new rig.
A lot of companies and most all fire departments require their employees chock the wheels when ever they park the vehicle unless in the station. Buy 2 good sized rubber chocks, connect with a short piece of line and then place in front and behind your wheel anytime you park it unless in your flat garage. With two placed front and back, you can't drive off and forget them.
Worst case scenario (I have seen this happen): Coach or truck is parked overnight on an incline. Operator comes out in the morning and starts it. Tries to release brakes but air pressure is low and the coach won't move but he leaves parking brake button in the released position. He gets out with the engine running. Pressure builds until the parking brake releases automatically and the coach starts rolling until it hits something.
Give an operator enough chances and he WILL get out of the cab forgetting to set the brakes. Think not? Thats how pilots make gear up landings. (a friend has made two)
I have seen several RV owners after stopping downhill, set the parking brake, put the transmission in reverse and quickly get out of the rig and chock the wheels. Won't hold well enough downhill.
Slack adjusters do get out of adjustment but they are not the silver bullet that will hold on much of a hill.
Expect a VERY leisurely stop if you ever apply the parking brake at any speed.
My service brakes work very well but when heading down my VERY STEEP driveway, I have to shift to neutral or it will continue to roll with the service brake pedal to the floor, first gear selected, 110 psi and the engine idling. Parking brake will not do anything here. I can lock up all six on the highway with max brake application so brakes do work well. I have 350 HP but not enough to climb driveway, only able to back up (817 feet).
Pierce
Benjie,
Here is a youtube video guaranteed to bring goose bumps on the back of your neck if you are a parking brake believer: Bus Parking Brake vs. Service Brake application (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOx7J2_qetU#) A 40 mph parking brake application took about 17 seconds to get an empty bus stopped.
Now imagine what going downhill after applying the parking brake would do to the stop watch.
We need a skull and crossbones smiley in the menu.
Pierce
As O/P have said, properly adjusted your parking brakes should hold your vehicle on fairly level ground. However they are only on your rear axle, and do not apply as much pressure as the service brakes do. I use wheel chocks on mine when parked on much of an incline. Also from you other post you have just had rear brakes on your new coach, it will take a few miles for the new pads and rotors to ware in and perform to their full potential.
Pierce, In the trucking bidness my drivers always complained about tripping over the chock blocks and no amount of training seemed to get thru their thick skulls. One of my favorite Safety Supervisor tricks was to walk the ready line and put chick blocks under any tractor that did not have them, you should have heard the comments. The greatest was when the driver went to the shop and complained that the brakes were locked up. The mechanics loved showing them what a chock block is. I know, kind of a nasty trick but... whatever works. :) :)
Gary B
I have been in the trucking business for 41 years... Brakes are similar.. Always chock wheels when on any incline. I chock mine incline or not... Easy insurance.
Even automatic slack adjusters.
Interesting video! It would be interesting to see a similar comparison done with a typical car. I'm guessing that the stop wouldn't be nearly as smooth.
Now, a question. Since I've never actually seen a Foretravel, where is the emergency brake knob located? DW and I have talked about what should be done if the driver is suddenly incapacitated by a stroke or heart attack. If the yellow knob is located in the center of the dash it would be much easier for the passenger to pull it than if it was under the driver's left elbow.
I suspect that almost all of the FT's have the Parking brake knob left of the steering wheel, on the two Diesels I have had that is where they are. Might make sense to put them in the center.
Gary B
Forget putting it in the center, put a second knob where the passenger can give it a pull without removing the seatbelt.
David, You are more than welcome by me and probably everyone here to stop us and take a tour anytime. Don't know where you are but I would suggest you look at the member map and if one of us is nearby drop us a PM and we will attempt to get together so you can see a real motorhome.
In our case we will be in FL for the next couple months.
Gary B
A few years ago at the marina where I keep my boat we had a strong squall blow through. Several of the hire sail boats on trailers took off across the apron, one hitting a woman who was not badly hurt. You never know. Chock them wheels. I do.
Keith
;D
Tom,
Forget about putting a second knob over by the passenger. My wife would see a passing store with a sale sign in the window and it would become a push-pull contest. With it in the center, at least I would have a chance. ;D
Pierce
But honey, look at all the money I saved at that SALE.
David,
We are traveling toward Smithville, MO, today. God willing, and continued good conditions, we will arrive there tomorrow afternoon. We will stay through Sunday, and then consider when to head farther north. If you would have any interest in seeing our 1997 U295, call me at 713-419-0313.
Dave
We bought two large-sized wheel chocks today at WalMart. The only chock that came with the RV was a small-size, single. I always chocked my airplanes and it makes complete sense to chock a motorhome.
Craig
Well, she held throughout the night, but I sprung for some chocks yesterday at Fleetpride!