RV parking

[TTitans1]

Can anyone tell me if I need to release the airbrakes on my RV while it is parked and on jacks? We have our RV parked for long periods of time with the slides out and on the jacks. ( 2000 Winnebago Itasca DP ) Recently moved the RV and after moving the slides in, raising the jacks and putting in drive once air pressure had built one of the front wheels brake was stuck. We are still pretty new to RVing so I am not sure if I need to put the airbrake on after parking and leaving it engaged after leveling the RV or should it be disengaged? Manual does not address this at all.

Thanks

[TTitans1]

Thanks for all the responses. I don't think my coach will roll away however as it is on level ground as well as having the jacks down with its full weight on it. But I do have the rig in park and the air brakes are engaged.

[Big_Katuna]

Drum brakes I assume. Mine have stuck a few times. Florida humidity.
Rocking into reverse always busts it loose.

[bshpilot]

no different than a conventional car....the parking brake ONLY activates the rear.
if pressure drops in the system (iirc below 50psi) the rear (only) spring brakes (aka parking brake) activate regardless of you activating them via the dash "parking brake" valve/button.

as jorbill2or states....the front brakes are ONLY activated by the brake pedal (not the parking brake).

[GlennLever]

jorbill2or wrote:
Parking brakes ( the springs that set the brakes ) are on the rear wheels only, never the front brakes they are always free wheeling unless the service brake is pressed! This is why your rear wheels should never leave the ground without blocking the front well. Your stuck front brake is not related to the spring brakes being set ( they should always be set as a side note and to answer your question ) block the coach so it can't roll and hit the brake shoes ( drum brakes) with a hammer ... Very common for brakes to stick rust freeze whatever
if you do use the reverse the tranny method be VERY careful as the torque can easily twist your driveline off. Give it a try first but be very gentle

Correct answer

[jorbill2or]

Parking brakes ( the springs that set the brakes ) are on the rear wheels only, never the front brakes they are always free wheeling unless the service brake is pressed! This is why your rear wheels should never leave the ground without blocking the front well. Your stuck front brake is not related to the spring brakes being set ( they should always be set as a side note and to answer your question ) block the coach so it can't roll and hit the brake shoes ( drum brakes) with a hammer ... Very common for brakes to stick rust freeze whatever
if you do use the reverse the tranny method be VERY careful as the torque can easily twist your driveline off. Give it a try first but be very gentle

[J_R2]

kcmoedoe wrote:
Air brakes work the opposite of how most people believe. Air is necessary to make them release, not set. Without air, a heavy duty spring actually sets the brakes. Even if you aired up the brakes, the odds are over a few days or weeks the air would bleed off and the brakes would set anyway. Nothing good can happen if your rig can roll away at any time. Set the brakes.

This is the way air brakes works. Start your engine, let air pressure build until air compreser spits out. Then push in air break handle valve. Put trans in drive than in reverse. basicaly rock forward and backword, easy. If not released, then block rear tires, and as another poster noted, whack inside of stuck brake rim.

[gemert]

TTitans1 wrote:
Can anyone tell me if I need to release the airbrakes on my RV while it is parked and on jacks? We have our RV parked for long periods of time with the slides out and on the jacks. ( 2000 Winnebago Itasca DP ) Recently moved the RV and after moving the slides in, raising the jacks and putting in drive once air pressure had built one of the front wheels brake was stuck. We are still pretty new to RVing so I am not sure if I need to put the airbrake on after parking and leaving it engaged after leveling the RV or should it be disengaged? Manual does not address this at all.

Thanks

kcmoedoe is of course right. Maybe I didn't answer the whole question, I just answered the stuck brake issue. Put your parking brake on while parked or bad things will happen sooner or later. I was addressing the stuck brake. It is not too uncommon for a brake to stick while a coach sits for a long time. Moisture and air on metal form rust. Rust sometimes forms and makes it hard for the brake to release when it should. Common practice is to get under there and smack it a few times with a hammer. Be careful what you hit. Don't try to power out of it with the engine. That can cause damage to the wheel/brake and maybe the transmission. I am not an expert, just trying to help. Sorry if I sounded like a smart a-- before, it wasn't my intent.
Jerry

[msmith1199]

I always set mine and have never had a problem like you described.

[kcmoedoe]

Air brakes work the opposite of how most people believe. Air is necessary to make them release, not set. Without air, a heavy duty spring actually sets the brakes. Even if you aired up the brakes, the odds are over a few days or weeks the air would bleed off and the brakes would set anyway. Nothing good can happen if your rig can roll away at any time. Set the brakes.

[Terryallan]

Yep, you are going to want to leave the brakes on. Else. It will roll away.

[gemert]

Hit the one that's stuck with a hammer.