Advice for a first-time tower?

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Aug 26, 2020
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I would also get the little plastic plug adjuster to help if the pins get out of alignment if you have a 13 pin one.. They cost next to nothing and save a lot of hassle if you get the problem.

Do the pins get out of alignment that easily? And can you point me to an example of one of these adjusters, please?

You should get a hand over when collecting the caravan. You normally forget half of what you are told, so video the relevant bits to come back to later.

Yes, since we're first-time caravaners they told us to allow two hours for the handover so they can go through everything with us from scratch, watch us hitch and unhitch, etc.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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No just get some very fine Emery or even a pan scourer and rub it and you will see a bright steel finish. If it’s still painted black it can take some rubbing. If it’s just mucky it’s easy to brighten it up.
 
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Nov 11, 2009
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Do the pins get out of alignment that easily? And can you point me to an example of one of these adjusters, please?



Yes, since we're first-time caravaners they told us to allow two hours for the handover so they can go through everything with us from scratch, watch us hitch and unhitch, etc.
I’ve already linked you to the 13 pin alignment tool. Green one. See an earlier post. Look on YouTube and you will see how to use it. I’ve had 13 pin for years and never had one go out of alignment. But still carry mine with me.
 
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Nov 16, 2015
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Robg, don't worry too much it will allcome together nicely, and after the first tow home, and unhitch and putting the caravan legs down, sit down inside it and have a cuppa or a beer, wine whatever, and relax. All hopefully will be fine.
 
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Jan 31, 2018
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Yes sorry and the bungee is a great idea-we trailed ours on our first brand new caravan-it didn't grind right through but there were bare wires-I was v upset!
 
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Jul 30, 2007
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Lots of fantastic advice so far Rob.
Can I add my 2 pence worth as well😂
Before you travel anywhere in the caravan,check all roof lights are closed,all windows closed,ariel is lowered,door is closed and locked,external locker doors are closed..
Enjoy your new van👍
 
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Aug 26, 2020
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Thanks to all for your very helpful advice. Had a very thorough handover and towed the van home earlier this afternoon. Please to report that the Sportage we bought three weeks ago tows it like a dream.

Now that we have the van, I'll put up a proper introductory post ASAP and will no doubt have plenty of questions after that :)
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Ten minutes with a bit of sandpaper this morning and the lowball was nice and shiny.
Do make sure you have fully degreased the towball. Any grease on the ball will degrade the ability of the friction pads inside the caravan's hitch to grip the ball help to stabilise the caravan when towing.
 
May 2, 2020
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Brake fluid cleaner on towball and also squirt some up onto the stabiliser friction pads. You can feel them with your finger end. Then dry them and clean using kitchen roll or clean cloth.
Just to be correct as could of been predictive text use brake cleaner not brake fluid cleaner
 

Sam Vimes

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Sep 7, 2020
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We're getting our new van Monday week so this has been an interesting read since its a good many years since I towed anything.

One thing I didn't see mentioned which was on my list was get a Number Plate.
 
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Jul 18, 2017
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IMHO Alignment tool a waste of money on a new or second hand caravan. Okay on a caravan out of warranty. We got the dealer to replace the unit with one from Germany and no more issues. Can't remember the name of the German plug. On our current caravan no issues with alignment, but the plug fell apart. Dealer replaced the plug with a decent plug and no issues.
 
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Jan 31, 2018
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Not sure I get you Buckman-on first occasion ours went out of alignment the tool made it much easier to sort-since then I've worked out how it works of course and you can simply twist the outside and keep the inner still but for a beginner it's a handy panic preventer when the socket won't go in. We've never had any trouble with the 13 pin connectors on the caravans we've had and they've never fallen apart.
 
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May 7, 2012
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We have had the alignment problem twice, so it may be different makes of caravan have different makes of plug and yours is better than ours.
 
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