Just a thought, Handbrakes... (1 Viewer)

old-mo

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On mine and most M.Homes the handbrake is on the right of the drivers seat, obviously to facilitate swivelling drivers seat...

But why, if you are driving along and should collapse at the wheel, the passenger could not reach the hand brake on most...

Why not put an electric switched hand brake in/on.. :)
 

markh

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We have an electric switched handbrake on our Mercedes, its on the right had side of the dash, below the light switch, even harder for the passenger to reach than the conventional handbrake lever on our Ducato
 
Oct 20, 2014
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Handbrake is quite difficult to release if you haven't got long arms - anyone fitted a handbrake extension, are they any good?
 

Puddleduck

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Handbrake is quite difficult to release if you haven't got long arms - anyone fitted a handbrake extension, are they any good?


I got a handbrake extension on my Citroen Jumper based Chausson,shoulder injury the real reason,works well BUT needed a day or two to not accidentally knock it off getting in and out.!!

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Feb 24, 2013
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Ours is in the middle on RHD Merc, but like Techno says, I really wouldn't fancy using it anger when moving

Couple of other hand brake related comments

MOT today nearly failed on handbrake, pulled it as instructed, when he said harder it made a god awful noise and I thought it had sheared something, he tapped around and we repeated the test with no issue. The only time it gets pulled is annually during MOT, must make a point of pulling it occasionally, joy of autos (or not)

My Mercedes estate has a function you could use, but possibly even more scary, I didn't know we had the 'feature' until this week

Going down our drive at about 10 mph, noticed a carrier bag that had been blown in with the wind, decided to open drivers door and pick it up as I passed, will never do that again, opening the door the bloody thing automatically jumps to park, whip lash injuries all round!! not sure at what speed that facility stops but I remember my Dad on our older cars when I was much younger(40 odd years ago) was always opening his door to slam shut while moving, this would slow him down, literally
 

Techno

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Thank you Techno, Puddleduck and Baldeagle. :LOL:
If your seat rotates I would look at my link but if drivers seat is fixed then Kobran is OK
I've heard the Kobran in not such a good fit on X250 handbrakes

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Techno

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Actually Andy, it isn't.
It primary purpose is an emergency service brake.
That's why, on the MOT, it's tested with the rollers turning...same as foot brake, rather than stationary.
Well of course it depends how fast you are going :LOL:
A huge difference between parking and stopping over 4 ton on the move.
 
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My seat swivels and the handbrake is on the left but when you engage it, it returns to the horizontal "off" position. Do they have a "smug" smiley ? :LOL:
 
Aug 18, 2011
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If you were doing 50 mph god knows how long it would take to stop,,,,they are only a parking brake..Best and easiest thing to do if driver collapsed would be to get your right leg across to foot brake and grab steering wheel...BUSBY.

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OP
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old-mo

old-mo

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Once again....American technology hasn't advanced that far yet.

back to a Eurovan now John.. (y) Yank would have not been a problem, most have a button/lever accessible on the dash.... well all mine did anyway.. :)
 
Aug 18, 2011
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If you were doing 50 mph god knows how long it would take to stop,,,,they are only a parking brake..Best and easiest thing to do if driver collapsed would be to get your right leg across to foot brake and grab steering wheel...BUSBY.


AND MAKE SURE YOU DONT LET THEM HAVE SIX PINTS BEFORE THEY DRIVE AGAIN.

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Jun 30, 2010
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Never really thought about this, good OP ! MacNav will now have to stand to my right when I'm Driving, instead of relaxing in the passenger seat .


Expect pain Mo, MacNav will more than likely have an old Mo Doll, and pins, large pins:rolleyes:
 

Landy lover

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Actually Andy, it isn't.
It primary purpose is an emergency service brake.
That's why, on the MOT, it's tested with the rollers turning...same as foot brake, rather than stationary.
They would get a hell of a shock if they tried that on a rolling road with a Land Rover - its a centre mounted transmission brake - pull that on hard and you end up going through the windscreen. Our MOT inspector checks the slack and very gingerly tries it on the road with a dynamic brake tester
 
Feb 22, 2008
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RVs have a foot operated park brake , impossible to reach from the other side. :Eeek:

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