Hitching & Un-Hitching a Caravan + Safety Checks

This Vlog talks you through hitching & unhitching a caravan from your car that is fitted with an Al-Ko Stabilizer & pointing out safety checks to carry out to ensure safe & trouble free towing.

[@jorgeperezdearce2908]

Thanks James..We, me and my wife are about to start our first trip in our new caravan and certainly your tips to hitch on and of was very helpful… cheers from Down under🇦🇺

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Hi Guys, thanks for watching and so glad I could be of help. Have fun making memories in your new caravan. Happy Camping. James

[@andyjohnson4631]

Thanks James, I've been looking for a good tutorial on how to do this as we are complete beginners to caravaning and found yours to be very good and easy to follow, I've recorded it for reference when at the storage yard 👍

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Thanks Andy, I am really pleased it has been of use to you, The main thing really is every time you hitch up, Wind Down the Jockey wheel to make sure the back of the car rises that way you know the Caravan is connected to the car, that's the only thing that will cause you major problems if it comes unhitched. Enjoy your new Caravaning adventures you will make some great memories. Thanks for watching and Happy Camping. James

[@karenandchris1709]

Very informative James. In 30 + years of caravaning never thought to wind the jockey down to see if the hitch was engaged properly. Just relied on the green button being up and the hitch handle being down. ( you can teach an old dog new tricks ) thankfully never had one unhitch yet.
One thing I would advise is when you have to unhitch a van on a steep slope or hill. Where possible have the car facing uphill Not down. There is always a bit of slack in the handbrake before it engages properly. I've seen quite a few Bumpers damaged if the caravan wheel, haven't been chocked, when you have to unhitch facing downhill.
Looking forward to your next vlog.

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Hi Karen & Chris thanks for commenting and great to hear that the Vlog has proved usefull and you have found out somthing new. Also great bit of advice about unhitching with the car facing uphill to take up the slack. When ever reversing the caravan into a pitch or on the drive etc I always pull the car very slightly forward for the very same reason. Thanks again and take care.

[@robswiseways5697]

Reverse camera is a must James makes hitching up a doddle. Good clear instructions there. Take care. Rob

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Thanks Rob, not bad at it with out the reverse camera but it does make it so much easier.

[@82cwebster]

I have just done the B+E training and test, it advises that the breakaway cable should be the last thing to be removed so you have full control of the trailer, great video though, explains the process of hitching and unhitching simply.

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Thank you & great bit of advise on the Breakaway Cable being the first and last to be connected and disconnected. I will amend my process in the way I do it. I also always leave the Motor Moves engaged until last thing before hitching up and first thing before unhitching even if I am not using them gives you that extra control and stability. Thanks again for commenting.

[@82cwebster]

@@CaravanEscapades101 I use my motor mover in a similar way, especially when on a slope until the corner steadies are down and wheels are chocked.
Loving the videos, keep up the good work!

[@CaravanEscapades101]

@@82cwebster Yeh the motor mover can be great for all sorts of things, holding the caravan in place, inching it forward to line up the Al-Ko lock, or aligning with the tow hitch. Thanks again for your comments, it is very much appreciated.

[@michaelhesford4587]

Check all the lights work after connecting electrics.

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Thanks, Good Tip that

[@brettcrook2417]

Good video James, I look forward to this process when we are released from current lockdown. Out of interest, what sites do you look forward to booking when the shackles are released??

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Thanks Bret. To be honest we have just booked Bridlington CMHC and Ingleborough Feilds West Runton as a back up if we don't get to France this year. With regards where we would normally book. We tend to go to CMHC sites and CL's we try and get away every month what we tend to do is 6 weeks before we want to go we put the dates on the CMHC website search the whole of the UK or a particular region to see what's available and takes our fancy and then book. It's only our summer & Christmas Holiday that we book well in advance. Thanks again for commenting. Stay Safe. James