Modern technology. If nothing else, it has made caravanning in Australia so much easier. If it has been an issue for caravanners, someone has found a way to solve it. But until now, one problem had remained unsolved: the awkward and oftentimes difficult handbrake found on every drawbar in the country. Some are better than others, but virtually all require a certain amount of physical strength to engage properly. And to disengage the handbrake, well, that can be even tougher, since it requires you to simultaneously push a button (excluding some models) and lift the lever further before it releases.
So when I heard about a brand new invention that takes the physical effort out of caravan handbrakes, I was intrigued. Handbrake Assist literally does the work for you. I tell you what, watching a caravan handbrake lever lift and engage itself, as if by magic, is something else. But how does it work?
HANDBRAKE ASSIST USES INTELLIGENT SOFTWARE
First, Handbrake Assist is the result of a joint venture between Equipment Link and RV Electronics, which introduced the digital water level Indicator to the Australian RV industry many years ago, among various other products made in its manufacturing facility in South Australia.
Handbrake Assist does not replace the caravan’s handbrake. Instead, it works with the existing mechanical components of the handbrake system. Handbrake Assist employs a specially designed and very clever actuator that is mounted to a chassis rail of the caravan.
In simple terms, this actuator connects to the handbrake cable (on only one side of the caravan, as that’s all that’s necessary for this system to function) and can apply up to 25kg of pulling force on the handbrake mechanism.
RV Electronics has developed intelligent software employed by the actuator that ensures the correct amount of tension for each individual caravan. The system does not work by brute force alone. Instead, with the handbrake cable already properly adjusted, Handbrake Assist will ‘learn’ the most appropriate pulling force for your handbrake setup. Essentially, this means the system becomes tailored to your van. Genius.
THE PUSH OF A BUTTON
So you’ve pulled up on-site. Then what? It’s important to note that Handbrake Assist does not replace the need to chock your wheels. Always chock your wheels. But when it’s time to apply the handbrake, it is literally just a case of pushing a button. After a couple of seconds, the actuator will engage the coupling’s handbrake mechanism via the handbrake cable, and you’ll witness the handbrake lift up on its own. It’s sincerely impressive.
Now, when it’s time to disengage the handbrake, it does become a two-handed operation – for good reason. With one hand, the user must still press the button on the handbrake lever when pushing the Handbrake Assist’s button. This does two things: it disengages the handbrake while ensuring the user still has one hand on the brake lever – a crucial safety point. This means the user is in a physical position to quickly yank on the handbrake themselves should the van begin to roll. That’s right: Handbrake Assist can be manually overridden at any time. However, while the user is still required to push the lever’s button, Handbrake Assist will still take care of the effort required to lift the lever up further, before gently lowering it until it’s completely disengaged. Your back, shoulder and elbow will thank you.
Having seen the system in action, I was impressed. I’ve tweaked my shoulder before when attempting to release a van’s handbrake, and since I also have lower back issues, this product would be a godsend for me personally. We’re not all spring chickens anymore and, sadly, many of us have some physical limitations and pain which makes using the van’s handbrake a challenge. For some of us, this might even mean not applying the handbrake at all and relying on wheel chocks alone. I therefore see Handbrake Assist as a very valuable addition to the RV market.
Further, the button that the user pushes to engage the system can be mounted anywhere that’s convenient. It all operates on 12V, and it can be wired to any appropriate source of 12V power.
I know what you’re thinking: can it be fitted to my van? Well, Handbrake Assist is compatible with all popular coupling/handbrake mechanisms, including the Cruisemaster, Al-Ko, McHitch, OzHitch, ARK and Lovells units. The style of handbrake that uses a steel ratchet arm which catches on the coupling are compatible too (though with this type the user would lift the steel arm out of the way rather than pushing a button the lever).
Handbrake Assist, which has an RRP of $895, comes with all of the brackets and components required for installation. Because the actuator is mounted to the chassis, it is waterproof and dustproof. It won’t be affected by water crossings and things of that nature. And while it could be installed by a competent DIYer, we would recommend having it fitted by a professional if in any doubt.
Handbrake Assist is a terrific idea. Not only does it make the act of applying the van’s handbrake easier on the body, it will always ensure correct handbrake tension once it is set-up properly.
More information: www.equipmentlinkrv.com.au/products/handbrake-assist
