Parking Brake

Topic: Parking Brake (Read 1965 times) previous topic - next topic

Parking Brake

December 22, 2017, 02:21:25 pm

New to Foretravel and motorhomes in general.

Where is my parking brake? Is my 1990 GV not equipped with one? I've looked everywhere for a knob, pedal, lever, switch... nothing.

Is it completely obvious and I'm the only one overlooking it? Do I even need one?

As mentioned above, complete newbie here.

Any help welcomed and appreciated!

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #1 – December 22, 2017, 03:31:29 pm

Jeff & Nicole,
Welcome aboard. I am not sure about a coach of your vintage, but if it is like ours, it is a yellow button on the dash that is square headed. to engage you pull out and to disengage you push in.

Good luck.

Len

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #2 – December 22, 2017, 03:42:12 pm

My '92 has a rocker on the dash labled "Brake set/ release". While holding pressure on service pedal, I switch rocker. This activates a valve that holds that pressure on the brake drum around the drive shaft. Work it in reverse to release park brake.
Edit to correct name of dash lever

Jim

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #3 – December 22, 2017, 03:47:10 pm

Guys,

We need to think Oshkosh or John Deere front engine gas chassis, likely with Ford 460 engine.

While I have zero first hand experience, it will likely either be a brake on the driveline behind the transmission or one activating the rear brakes.

Hopefully, someone with that vintage gas coach will have first hand information.

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #4 – December 22, 2017, 04:31:15 pm

If it's like my '88 Winne on an Oshkosh chassis, front engine Ford 460... putting the shifter in Park engages the drum brake on the drive shaft. Pulling a knob on the dash with the engine running , foot on the brake pedal, not in Park releases the brake.

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #5 – December 22, 2017, 04:54:25 pm

Thanks for your responses. Correct that it is a Ford 460 on a John Deere Chassis but no knobs or switches on the dash other than those that are clearly something other than a parking brake. I'll try to take a couple of pictures of the entire dash area tomorrow. Perhaps someone with this model will see this and have some info. If not I'll call the factory next week. They sent me the owners manual but it says nothing about it.

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #6 – December 22, 2017, 08:09:20 pm

Is there a black lever mounted on the floor or steering column shaft? Pull to engage, twist to release.

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #7 – December 22, 2017, 09:13:13 pm

I will check again tomorrow but I looked over the entire cockpit and didn't see anything like that.

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #8 – December 22, 2017, 09:33:18 pm

This might be of some use.

http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/pdfs/PC2109.pdf

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #9 – December 22, 2017, 10:16:45 pm

I don't remember a park brake on this coach other than putting the transmission in park.

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #10 – December 22, 2017, 10:29:41 pm

Quote from: red tractor – December 22, 2017, 10:16:45 pm

I don't remember a park brake on this coach other than putting the transmission in park.

D.O.T. required a separate a parking brake, however it could be activated by mechanical or hydraulic means and may have used the park position to actuate it. They were usually attached to the back of the transmission and used a small brake drum. All the ones I knew about used a lever to engage them. The pdf I posted shows the system I am familiar with.

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #11 – December 22, 2017, 10:42:30 pm

Hi, we have a similar coach.
Mine is a 91 gran villa 29' on an Oshkosh chassis like yours. Parking brake is like the previous poster mentioned. Just put it in park and the brakes are engaged automatically, however there is no knob or anything to disengage, just take it out of park...easy Peary!
Windwalker

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #12 – December 23, 2017, 08:35:14 am

@Windwalker,

Just to clarify for those reading this thread in the future, where is your parking brake physically located? Is it a round drum brake unit attached to the rear of the transmission, or does it utilize the service brakes on the rear axle? Is it activated hydraulically, electrically, or mechanically?

With many different systems on the older GVs, it is hard keeping them straight. Any "first hand" info like this adds value to our archival data bank.

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #13 – December 23, 2017, 10:50:50 am

If memory serves me your parking brake is auto applied when in park and is a small drum on the end of the trans

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #14 – December 23, 2017, 11:44:32 am

My ex 92/93 Oshkosh had same brake drum on drive shaft and my brakes were hydraulic with power assist emergency.
JohnH

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #15 – December 23, 2017, 06:03:36 pm

If it's a Ford 460 wouldn't it have the torque-shift transmission? when shifter is placed in park it locks the tranny just like an F350 pickup? I have a couple of friends with gasser MH's and thats all they have.

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #16 – December 23, 2017, 06:32:51 pm

It seems the consensus above is that there is always some type of "emergency" braking device on a motorhome. May be automatically activated (no separate switch or control) when the transmission selector is placed in park, and automatically deactivated when trans is taken out of park. But, I would think there would still be some kind of idiot light on the dash to show it is on. Just seems logical to me...(which doesn't mean much)

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #17 – December 23, 2017, 06:34:56 pm

I appreciate everyone's help on this!

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #18 – December 24, 2017, 09:24:20 am

"some kind of idiot light on the dash " quote by Chuck

Thinning of the herd ?

Re: Parking Brake

Reply #19 – December 24, 2017, 11:27:00 am

I had an 1989 Georgie Boy with a John Deere Chassis and a Ford 460 engine. The parking brake was a black floor mounted lever on the left or right side of the drivers seat, but it could probably be placed in other locations. The actually brake was a drum type on the drive shaft just behind the transmission. Not worth much in my opinion as an emergency brake or parking brake either. I think it had a twist knob on the end of the lever for adjustment.

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