2022 Reatta Parking Brake Incident

[DOrmerod56]

We have a 2022 Entegra Reatta 37K model. We returned a few days ago from a long trip and my wife was inside cleaning the rig for a few months of storage. When she was cleaning on the dashboard, she inadvertently pushed in the yellow parking brake and since the transmission was in neutral and we were on a slight slope on our driveway, the rig rolled 5 feet directly into our garage eves and gutter. The front windshield was terminally damaged (see pic) but fortunately there was no other damage to the remainder or the front end or framing. Obviously she was shocked by the movement of the RV and hit the brake pedal but not in enough time to avoid the crushed windshield. My question is this: what is the procedure when parking the rig to prevent such an incident (accidental release of parking brake)? Thi s is my first diesel rig and on the gas rigs, the transmission is in Park and even with the parking brake off, there is no movement. I had always thought that the transmission should be in Neutral and then the Parking Brake is applied. Do some of you leave the transmission in Reverse or Drive when the engine is "off" and parking brake "on"? It was an unfortunate accident but glad it only moved 5 ft and only damaged the windshield . . . could've been a lot worse.

[RayandWendy]

They make simple covers as well as locks to prevent accidental parking brake disengagement.
Being an automatic, leaving in gear will do no good.
Later...
Ray

[B-Man49]

This is what we use to prevent accidental release of parking brake. Buy them on Amazon I think cheap…5 for $10. Chip clips. Unfortunately with these vehicles learning lessons get very expensive. I would suggest you pay for the windshield out of pocket, since the Insurance Company probably would consider this a collision.
Also look into attending Entegra University Classes or Spartan Owners Course.

[Mwoodofd]

We have used the right size chip clip, or binder clip or something similar to clip on the brake release stem to guard against that.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by B-Man49

This is what we use to prevent accidental release of parking brake. Buy them on Amazon I think cheap…5 for $10. Chip clips. Unfortunately with these vehicles learning lessons get very expensive. I would suggest you pay for the windshield out of pocket, since the Insurance Company probably would consider this a collision.
Also look into attending Entegra University Classes or Spartan Owners Course.

X3 I purchased one the perfect size at Dollar Tree. Spartan use to give then away at Trade Shows and their Classes. Sorry about your damage, it is also common with pets hitting the brake release.

[dbircky]

Ouch! I use a spring clothes pin and chock the wheels as a back up.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by dbircky

Ouch! I use a spring clothes pin and chock the wheels as a back up.

Not to give false security, but a clothes pin is too thin to stop the air brake knob from releasing. Put any clip on and push the air brake hard to simulate a 40 pound dog or person and see if it can be pushed in.

[twinboat]

Pump the air pressure down with the brake pedal until the button pops out by itself.

Once it pops out, the only way to release the brakes is to start the engine and build up air again.

[Fotoryder]

FYI: Traditionally, diesel trucks are not parked with the manual transmission in gear. In the days of mechanical engine driven fuel pumps, bumping a diesel truck while in gear could start the engine and you would have a runaway truck. Draining the air tanks will lock the spring safety brake, and chocking wheels will also help prevent the coach from unexpectedly rolling.

[dbircky]

Originally Posted by brobox

Not to give false security, but a clothes pin is too thin to stop the air brake knob from releasing. Put any clip on and push the air brake hard to simulate a 40 pound dog or person and see if it can be pushed in.

Not mine, it barely fits. But mine isn’t a plastic knob on the vertical dash. It’s an aluminum knob in the horizontal dash next to the leveling pad.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by dbircky

Not mine, it barely fits. But mine isn’t a plastic knob on the vertical dash. It’s an aluminum knob in the horizontal dash next to the leveling pad.

I see, different coach. That will not work on an Entegra and might give someone information that could cause a problem on their coach.

[ArtJoyce]

Originally Posted by B-Man49

This is what we use to prevent accidental release of parking brake. Buy them on Amazon I think cheap…5 for $10. Chip clips. Unfortunately with these vehicles learning lessons get very expensive. I would suggest you pay for the windshield out of pocket, since the Insurance Company probably would consider this a collision.
Also look into attending Entegra University Classes or Spartan Owners Course.

I like it simple. Out camping looking through the bag with clips. Thanks

[WDW]

When we’ve landed in our RV garage, the clip goes on AND the heavy duty wheel chocks come out (we carry them with us) and the curbside front and rear get chocked. Cheap insurance.

[Rob_M]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Pump the air pressure down with the brake pedal until the button pops out by itself.

Once it pops out, the only way to release the brakes is to start the engine and build up air again.

^^^^^ THIS. the safest way by far. And part of an airbrake test y’all should be doing anyway.