bobmaddison Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 Hi, we have recently changed to a Hymer on a Merc Sprinter. my wife being short and sweet cannot reach the hand brake lever. We had a FIAT Ducato prior to this and I was able to purchase and fit an extension that worked very well. Although looking at the lever in the Sprinter I cannot see how an extension would fit, does anyone have any info? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 The Mercedes Sprinter was first marketed in 1995, so it would help if you gave the age of your Hymer as it’s quite likely that the design of the handbrake-lever will not have remained the same since then. (I’ve attached a photo of a Sprinter/VW LT35 lever, but I don’t know if this matches your Hymer’s.) The handbrake ‘extender' commonly fitted to motorhomes was a Kobran product (advertised here) https://www.outdoorbits.com/kobran-motorhome-handbrake-extender-p-173.html but, as you’ll see, the advert warns that this cannot be used with any Sprinter whatever the age of the model. An alternative extender to the Kobran product was this one http://www.rare-spares.co.uk/ but the list of vehicles to which it could be fitted does not include Sprinter. Whether you could adapt either of the above extenders so that it could be used on your motorhome is anybody’s guess... (Haven’t some Sprinters got a ‘drop down’ handbrake-lever, that - after it has been pulled up to engage the handbrake - then drops down to the cab floor?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobmaddison Posted March 2, 2019 Author Share Posted March 2, 2019 Thanks Derek,very useful. It's an 05 Sprinter and the lever looks very similar to the one you pictured. I will check out the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monique.hubrechtsgm Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 All depends on the hand brake handle movement in degrees. On- Off. and the red light dash contact. And seat height pedestal- swivel plate.Suggest you search for a re builder on modified seats. Or contact a mercedes dealer..Maybe a electronic hand brake conversion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monique.hubrechtsgm Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 And if you have aAL_KO chassis the handbrake movement is different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 bobmaddison - 2019-03-02 8:03 AM Thanks Derek,very useful. It's an 05 Sprinter and the lever looks very similar to the one you pictured. I will check out the info. This 2012 forum thread discussed ‘fold down’ Sprinter handbrake-levers https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Folding-Handbrake/27244/ but as your Hymer is 2005-vintage it appears it won’t have a ‘folding’ lever. (How would that work when the Sprinter is being driven as - when the lever was lowered, I would have thought it would be unreachable?) The type of handbrake-lever adaptation available for disabled drivers might be a possible approach https://www.jeffgosling.co.uk/easy-release https://www.jeffgosling.co.uk/docs/HandbrakeEasyReleaseProductSheet.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJB Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 The 'Easy Release' looks brilliant...except...I don't imagine the Velcro strap would locate the handle securely enough....but worth checking. Having used a 'Kobran' folding lever for many years (Swivel seats) it did need the bolts tightening regularly to keep it secure...….the soft plastic on the handbrake lever obviously compresses with time. HTH ;-) PS. If the Merc lever is metal/hard plastic faced it could be ideal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 Derek Uzzell - 2019-03-03 8:17 AM but as your Hymer is 2005-vintage it appears it won’t have a ‘folding’ lever. (How would that work when the Sprinter is being driven as - when the lever was lowered, I would have thought it would be unreachable?) Derek, Our last MH was on a Sprinter chassis with the folding handbrake. It folds, only so that you can turn the seat round. You pull the handbrake up to put it on, and when you push it down without pressing the knob, the handbrake stays on, and you can turn the seat round. When ready to move off, and with the seat turned forward, you pull the lever up, then release the handbrake by pressing the release knob on the tip. Its a good system, and works well, although the plastic frame at the rear of the brake is very flimsy and annoying, but without the folding function you cannot turn the seat round. Regards, (PS, but you are probably going to tell me you knew all this anyway!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 Thanks. Basically then, when the handbrake is on or off the lever can be in the lowered position rather than, with a conventional handbrake, the lever being only in the lowered position when the handbrake is off. So, in fact, it won’t make any difference when the Sprinter is being driven as the handbrake should then always be off and the lever lowered. (Yes I did know it, but I hadn’t thought it through ;-) ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 Derek Uzzell - 2019-03-03 3:39 PM So, in fact, it won’t make any difference when the Sprinter is being driven as the handbrake should then always be off and the lever lowered. Correct. No difference at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobmaddison Posted March 5, 2019 Author Share Posted March 5, 2019 Thank you for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobmaddison Posted March 5, 2019 Author Share Posted March 5, 2019 Thanks that's interesting, I will check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobmaddison Posted March 7, 2019 Author Share Posted March 7, 2019 Thanks for that, I will have to see if one can be retro fitted. Unless you know that already Laurence . Bob M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 bobmaddison - 2019-03-07 8:28 AM Thanks for that, I will have to see if one can be retro fitted. Unless you know that already Laurence . Bob M Sorry, I don't know about retro fitting. However, in your position, and noting where you live, I would give Dave at Outdoor Bits (Exmouth) a ring and discuss with him (01395 830230). Hope this helps, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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