new caravaner....advice reqd plse

[jules2]

we have just purchased our very first caravan and have just gone on our first trip with it....we have mastered the hitching up process but seem to have a problem with un-hitching...when we try to un hitch it starts to buckle the jockey wheel. what are we doing wrong, can anyone advise us or perhaps help us with a step by step guide please

 

[parker1158]

Hi Jules

For a start what sort of hitch have you got ie alko, standard or what?

It would appear the lock on the hitch is not disengaging enough either through mechanical defect or user defect

I know a dry standard ball (ie not an al-ko ball these have to be dry)can cause this. If its a standard hitch and ball does it just need a clean up and fresh grease?

 

[rayc]

Jules, what make of hitch do you have? It sounds like you are not releasing the hitch safety device before raising on the jockey wheel. All hitches have a device to stop unintentional release.

 

[Lol1]

Hi Jules, do you reverse your caravan before you unhitch it?

If you do, it could be that you have compressed the tow hitch and it is still compressed when you try to unhitch. Try applying the caravan hand brake and gently nose your car forward a couple of inches to release the tension and try again to unhitch. Sometimes a little "waggle" of the hitch head is needed too.

Lol

 

[Lol1]

Hi Jules, do you reverse your caravan before you unhitch it?

If you do, it could be that you have compressed the tow hitch and it is still compressed when you try to unhitch. Try applying the caravan hand brake and gently nose your car forward a couple of inches to release the tension and try again to unhitch. Sometimes a little "waggle" of the hitch head is needed too.

Lol

So many hitch's in so small a reply. Is that a that a fault or just another hitch?

 

[parker1158]

So many hitch's in so small a reply. Is that a that a fault or just another hitch?

What we have here is no hitch when hitching but a hitch when un-hitching