Parking Brake Will Not Release

[JSW]

The parking brake on my '04 DP Holiday Rambler Ambassador will not release. I've been out of the country for a couple of months and it's been sitting. Today I started it up to take it for inspection but the parking brake will not release. Any suggestions?

[georgetown350]

Air brakes or hydraulic? Our mini van parking brake would stick until we started to move the vehicle, then it would free up on its own. Brake cable could use some lubrication. Is it cold???? could be frozen.

[JSW]

Air brakes. Temps are in the 40s, not all that cold.

[mfire1339]

JSW, How's your air pressure? Over 75 psi?

Mike

[JSW]

Air pressure is good, builds up quickly to about 120.

[Mandys Man]

Happens all the time. Put in gear, apply light fuel, put in reverse, same thing. Continue to rock back and forth, will release sooner or later.

[JSW]

I've tried that with no luck so far but I will try again. Hope it is not anything serious.

[georgetown350]

Release parking brake and wait it out, it may release after a few minutes of idling. Sometimes I have to wait about 5 minutes with my truck before they release. Make sure the wheels aren't still chocked or stuck against something.

[JSW]

I've tried rocking it back and forth, I've let it idle for 10 minutes with the parking brake released and still nothing. It cannot be the cold because we are warming up today. Our coldest was 28 a few nights back but today we have been around 50 all day. I'm stuck!

[JSW]

It worked! After a few more rocking attempts it suddenly popped lose with a bang. I hope all is well, it drives just fine and releases without any hesitation.
Thanks for the help!

[Martind4]

Last year we waited to long to get out of Wisconsin before heading south. The engine started just fine and after it was warmed up, I tried to move the MH to hook up the toad, the MH wouldn't move. I chocked the wheels and had the DW exercise the parking brake while I watched the rear brake pads. The driver's side appeared to be releasing but there was no movement on passenger side, the pads were frozen to the drum. It took about 20 minutes with a heat gun propped against the drum to melt the ice and free the brakes. This all happened about 6:30 in the morning with temps below zero.
Looking back, I remembered it was wet and slushy the day I took the MH to have the propane tank filled and some water must have remained on the brake pads and eventually froze. I'll try not to make that mistake again.

[JSW]

I can't really figure this one out. It has not been that cold in Southeast Texas and the little snow we had last week didn't even stick to anything. The only thing I can think of is the fact the coach has been sitting still for about 2 1/2 months, which is unusual for us.

Anyway, it is working fine now. Thanks again for the suggestions.

[Rex]

JSW, that is a common thing if you set the brake after driving on a wet road. Now if that was not the case, then I have no answer. The problem comes from the wet brake pad basically rusting to the wheel drum.

[tmh462]

Another problem that's not so common anymore is ice in the lines keeping the brakes from being charged and releasing. I used to put alcohol in the lines to help thaw them. Usually it's not a problem with RV's, simply because they usually don't get operated during really cold weather, and the newer units have driers for the air.