It is vitally important that the handbrake on your caravan is adjusted properly. We see a lot of vans that have the hand brake either too tight or too loose. Either way is an issue.

• Alko 3500kg Electric Coupling With Hand Brake.

Too tight means that it can activate the brakes during normal towing – for example when you go over a pot hole – the cable tightens to the point of pulling the brakes on.

Too loose means that the brakes are never engaged properly and can lead to issues of the van rolling when uncoupled.

Adjusting the handbrake is a simple process using the tensioning mechanism near the coupling, but many of the problems we see is that people make this adjustment without first adjusting the brakes at the wheels. It is critical that the brake shoes are adjusted properly BEFORE adjusting the handbrake.