Parking brake

[LargoII]

My 2020 FR3 34DS has a parking break that will not engage enough to prevent the coach from moving on a moderate slope. Has any one done a cheap fix on this issue of a Ford F53 chassis? Is it possible to adjust the tension of the parking break cable? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Don

[Oaklevel]

Not familiar with your unit but brake cables are normally adjustable cables.

[LargoII]

Thanks, now I just need to know where and how.

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by LargoII

Thanks, now I just need to know where and how.

Go to YouTube and do a search. Bet you'll find a video there.

Bob

[LargoII]

Thanks for the suggestion of YouTube videos. I did find a few and they were mostly disappointing, but they did teach me the how of it. It may take me a week or two to make my attempt at adjusting the break but I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks again!

[RVwino]

Originally Posted by LargoII

My 2020 FR3 34DS has a parking break that will not engage enough to prevent the coach from moving on a moderate slope. Has any one done a cheap fix on this issue of a Ford F53 chassis? Is it possible to adjust the tension of the parking break cable? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Don

I thought that if the coach is in Park, then it won’t roll. If that’s true, the one exception is if your rear wheels are up in the air, which most RVers want to avoid.

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by RVwino

I thought that if the coach is in Park, then it won’t roll. If that’s true, the one exception is if your rear wheels are up in the air, which most RVers want to avoid.

But isn't the parking brake applied to only the rear wheels? I seem to think so. Agreed, NEVER get the rear wheels off of the ground.

And if you put the transmission in PARK and the vehicle moves downhill more than 3" or 4", there is a transmission issue.

Bob

[RVwino]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

But isn't the parking brake applied to only the rear wheels?

That’s what I understand, as well.

[LargoII]

My issue was, and still is, that I stopped on a moderate slope of our driveway, engaged the parking break and then put the gear selector in park with all wheels on the ground. My FR3 34DS moved forward a little bit. Don't know how many inches. The next day I started the engine with the parking brake still engaged and my foot on the brake. I moved the gear selector into reverse. An audible and bodily BOOOINGGGG!!! was heard and felt as the transmission pin released under pressure, then I was able to back up. If the parking break had fully engaged the transmission parking pin would have released easily with no sound or vibration as I engaged reverse. So, it's the parking break. Our FR3 is now on nearly flat ground at the top of our upper drive. The entire fam damily is coming to our vacation home--now retirement home--for the 4th holiday weekend and week there after and more. Then we make the final move here furniture and all. Consequently, I won't have time to try and adjust the parking break until sometime in August, cause we don't plan to travel again until mid to late September. Still, I'll let you know if the cable adjustment works or fails.

In the meantime I hope you all have a great 4th of July celebration and/or family gathering and don't melt in the heat!

Don

Oh, and for RVwino there will be wine but a lot more Tanqueray & tonics!!

[RVwino]

Originally Posted by LargoII

Oh, and for RVwino there will be wine but a lot more Tanqueray & tonics!!

I hope you have a wonderful 4th, as well!
P.S. There’ll also be some Anejo.

[Bob K4TAX]

Yep and as I stated, the slack in the differential and U joints and transmission will allow the vehicle to move forward a few inches once Park is engaged and the foot brake is released. This puts pressure on these items. Correctly, I first engage the parking brake, shift into Park, and stop the engine.

Starting with the foot on the brake, and starting the engine does not relieve the pressure on the mechanical drive train. Yep, it will make some noise as the drive train releases and tightens up in reverse.

I'm not sure I would expect the parking brake to completely hold the heavy vehicle, depending on the angle, unless correctly applied. Would be nice and comforting if it did. Yes, likely adjustment of the cables and perhaps the shoes on the rear is necessary. Usually, the shoes are self-adjusting but this requires specific actions to accomplish such. Read the vehicle manual on this point.

Bob

[Twinboat]

The parking brake gets adjusted like trailer brakes, thru a slot in the back.
Be very carefully adjusting it. If to snug, the brakes drag, overheat and burn the paint off the drum, along with the shoes.
Lots of complaints of this happening.

[LargoII]

Thanks for your input. Having just retired and moved into our not-fully-finished new home in KY, I've been too busy with matters at hand to attempt a fix. I originally thought it might take a couple of weeks but the reality is it may take a couple of months. Who knew that retirement could be so busy!