Hi guys.

Just replaced damper on alko sigma tow hitch when i put everything back together i noticed there is quite a gap before the brakes kick in. How or where do i adjust the rod that i can shorten the distance? Its currently at 6.5cm from the drawbar (see attached pic). What is the best distance to have before the brakes start working?

Have you checked how far the handbrake is pulled up before the braked do their work while Caravan is moving forward? 

No i havent. I pull the hand brake up 2 clicks and the i can feel that It gets tight and the spring on the tube goes in. If i look at that then as much as what the towhitch gets pushed back it at its fullest will the brake only start working

Het jy parte oor........

Lol

Something very wrong with your braking system!
Gap between Coupling Head ( drawbar ) and overrun lever should only be a few mm if set-up correctly. Adjustment must be made with hand-brake off.

Suggest you have the complete braking system checked by professional.

The joys of inheriting a caravan. I will have to take it in to the caravan place tomorrow need the caravan for the weekend😳

JohnoP wrote:

Hi guys.

Just replaced damper on alko sigma tow hitch when i put everything back together i noticed there is quite a gap before the brakes kick in. How or where do i adjust the rod that i can shorten the distance? Its currently at 6.5cm from the drawbar (see attached pic). What is the best distance to have before the brakes start working?

There is a gap between the actual brake arm that moves to the rear and the actuating lever.  This depends on what chassis you have.  On the original old caravans that gap is 40mm.  But it differs from chassis to chassis.

I have a pdf file that clearly show how to adjust the brakes and where the gap is.

I can mail it to you.

Hallo Leon,

Stuur ook asb vir my na:hein@10uit10.co.za

Groetnis

Hi Leon. Its a 2002 jurgens exclusive. Not sure of the chassis then. It would be great if you could send it to me. Thank you very much. My email is johnokipa@gmail.com

When I had my caravan's axle thrown out and replaced with leaf springs and shocks, the chassis strengtened and a few other things done, the engineering works that did the job refused to touch the van unless I agreed to replace the hitch, which they regarded as worn out and dangerous. 

I now have a Knott hitch fitted, and the handbrake, which is spring loaded, is superb. The brakes are in a different class. I suppose partly because the set-up is new.

Hi Leon, met hoed ini hand vra ek ook n kopie v rem stellings.   Baie dankie.

  zmynhardt@telkomsa.net