Parking Brake repair

The link to the slideout controls is from a switch at the pedal. So a defective brake mechanism does not keep you from moving the slideout.

However, a brake that doesn't hold is a brake that doesn't hold. It would be a good idea to chock the rear wheels any time you park.

There was an earlier version of this mechanism for which repair parts were available, and this may still be the case for other examples used on larger truck and RV chassis (this brake on the driveshaft is pretty common on medium duty trucks with disk brakes all around and no air brakes). But I suspect the cost of removal and taking it apart to rebuild it is not that much lower than replacing it with a new or re-man unit.

The 5 pictures in this link may be useful:

If you have an E450 LD, it probably has the drive-shaft parking brake.
Did you know it is filled with oil and needs to be checked?
Uses the same type of oil as the transmission but it is a separate reservoir.
Oil level should be level with the plug.
Use a 17MM socket on the plug.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157627503762313/

I believe "If you have an E450 LD" translates to: "If you have an E450-based Lazy Daze motorhome."

I've also read more about the parking brake in this Lazy Daze owners forum.

I think the problem statement is reversed. The Brake DRAINS INTO the rear of the Transmission. Then its bearings go dry and fail. The issue is we cannot see the leakage because the point of failure seems to nearly always be on the Input (transmission) side of the brake, not the Output (driveshaft) side.
We know Harvard as Alignment Guru, but he commented that a Class A he had used that brake also, and that it seemed to have been completely filled (as opposed to a "level" like a rear axle or manual transmission). But filled WHEN it was in a different orientation (plug at TOP instead of Side like we find it under the coach). I believe that. I went to check ours and it was WAY "overfull" in terms of the 17MM plug on the driver side of the brake.
That plug is NOT EASY to get at and once out, VERY hard to put back.
I've heard of guys checking it, sucking the ATF out with a suction gun, and refilling to the Plug Level. This seems to be OK, but I'd have to guess from all I've read that Plug Level is bare minimum.
My advice to anybody wanting to check the Parking Brake Fluid:
Position yourself Very Very Well. Where you can easily see and access the Plug. Try to loosen only, hoping you'll see ATF start to ooze around the loosened Plug. Then (strictly my individual advice) Stop There and Tighten it Back. If it's oozing, you'll never be able to bring the level above the Plug Hole.