Advice please problem with new Buccaneer handbrake

Probably not what you want to hear but; We also have a new Cruiser and fortunately our brake holds even on an incline. The hanbrake is self adjusting but needs to be set up right prior to delivery. Appreciate that the Cruiser is heavy however to bend the jockey wheel would require it to strike something. We move our van in the drive on the mover and it has to negotiate a 30mm lip, up to now the JW has done this with no ill effect. One thing we have found is that you do have to tighten the JW very tight to stop it dropping whilst on the move. On one of our recent trips this did happen to us but we heard it prior to any damage. We now ensure that it is very tight and also wound tight to its limit. We did change the supplied plastic JW (cheap and nasty for such a well built and costly van) out for a larger more robust fixed rubber item though.

Have to agree with the above as the jockey wheel will need some force to damage it and I cannot see it moving slowly on a slope could do that as it would put no more strain on it than moving it onto a pitch.

I thought the jockey wheel dropping if not tightened very tightly was a one off on our Lunar but may be I am mistaken and it is more common.

We had a new Bucaneer  Cruiser in February and each time we got either on site or back at home the A frame slipped down the jockey wheel while using the mover. The lever had to be tightened so tight that it eventually broke and I have fitted a new clamp supplied by Elddis and a new complete jockey wheel as the original one was distorted. I must add that this happened the very first trip we took it out and guess what? With the new clamp fitted this morning and the new jockey wheel it has slipped. I fear of over-tightening now as I don't want to damage another jockey wheel. It is so dis-heartening because we  can't move the van from where we keep it parked without the mover so I will contact dealer again tomorrow to see where we go from here.

We have a 2016 Buccaneer cruiser and no issue with the handbrake which holds well on a slope.  We also make sure that the clamp is tight so that it does not drop. 

BTW if theree is no sticker stating "Do not over tighten" then you should be able to claim from the dealer anyway.  Ask the dealer if there a torque rating for how tight the jockey wheel should be?

It does not make any difference to you if Elddis reject the claim as under the Consumer Rights Act  2015 it is the responsibility of the dealer to get the problem resolved. BTW if you do not tighten it up sufficiently and it drops to the ground causing more damage who is responsible?

If the caravan is on HP, get onto the HP company and inform them that you are not very happy with Glossop Caravans as the HP company actually own the caravan.  They will put pressure onto the dealer to resolve the issue.  Do yourself a favour and Google Glossop Caravans and Elddis.

You are completely correct Surfer. I have all the info from Trading Standards to pursue this.

The jockey wheel and clamp fitted to Buccaneer caravans over the last few years is not suitable for the nose weight of these caravans (in my opinion and without prejudice).There have been no end of problems with these over the last few years and if it had affected a motor car would have been the subject of a Vosa recall (in my opinion!)   Handbrake adjustment,however,is down to the dealer who sells caravans at a discount and "may" cut costs on the PDI (again ....without prejudice and in my opinion!)

I agree with you dsweetman. The cruiser is close to 2 tons and the jockey wheel is far from adequate. I spoke to a guy at BPW about it and they tend to deny the problem yet Elddis have supplied the new clamp and handle. They Elddis know this is an issue, I am sure, but will not admit it In the meantime we are frustrated and annoyed. I will probably go to the NEC show and see if I can get some sense out of Elddis and BPW there.

It is very difficult to get the nose weight of the Buccaneer Cruiser below 140kg which ours is at present however we have no issues with stability and it tows well.

We bought the Buccaneer cruiser and although the handbrake held the jockey wheel bracket snapped and we had to get emergency repairs done on it as we were away in Dorset . We reported it to Glossop caravans when they were doing the service,  the week before it happened , that the jockey wheel keeps slipping and they said we needed a new jockey wheel . They greased it for us and said it is fine . We took it in for a service again 2 weeks ago and told them about the jockey wheel and what happened to us last year after the service . Again they greased it and said it was fine . We are in a dilemma when we tighten the jockey wheel as we are frightened it is going to snap again . 

How did you get on with your issues with Glossop caravans and Elddis ?

We have got some other issues with them as well at the moment which we need resolving . 

the OP said the handbake didn't appear to be holding when on a slight incline which tells me that they are not pulling forwards enough to activate the brake lever thingy that disengages when you reverse. I was told after reversing to pull forwards a couple of feet so the handbrake would work correctly. could this be the case???