Problems Un-Hitching on site

[Gagakev]

On the two previous trips away I have had problems un-coupling the van from the tow car.
When using the jockey wheel to raise the van, the hitch stays on the tow ball and actually
lifts the car about 5 or 6inches then it drops suddenly and frightens the life out of me!!
Yet when back home on the drive which is level I have no problems at all.
It seems that if the ground is slightly un-even it causes this problem.
Just to let you know I reverse onto pitch, pull forward about 3 feet, use ramp side to side
to level, chock wheels, apply handbrake, then un-hitch, is this correct or am I doing something wrong?
Thanks for any input you can give me.
Kev

 

[JTQ]

Just to let you know I reverse onto pitch, pull forward about 3 feet, use ramp side to side
to level, chock wheels, apply handbrake, then un-hitch, is this correct or am I doing something wrong?
Thanks for any input you can give me.
Kev

Well yes, I suspect you are. What I think you are doing is leaving a bit of tension in the hitch by climbing up the ramp. Try after putting on the hand brake of the van backing your car just 3/4 to an inch to take the tension out of the hitch. Get somebody to watch the hich rubber boot, dont over do it or the problem is just as bad if you develop any compression in the hitch. Make sure stabiliser lever is upright and lift the release handle before and whilst jacking up the jockey wheel.

 

[Gagakev]

JTQ Thanks for the reply.
I have tried backing up as you mentioned but in fairness think I might have overdone it.
Will try your suggestion when next on site.
Also dont have the newer type hitch as the van is a 1995 model where you lift the lever to release
and use a sepearate stabiliser bar.
Thanks again
Kev

 

[busman1]

I had this problem before, I found that if all else fails, make sure the wheels are chocked then release the handbrake, used to work for me

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I often have this problem and find that slightly moving the van with the mover will release the hitch

 

[Gagakev]

Thanks Busman and WatsonJohnG
A couple more possible remedies there for me to try when out again, middle to end of Sept.
Might have a problem with your solution though John, I dont have a mover fitted, but you never know
if all else fails I could be tempted.

Kev

 

[TimM]

We have had the same thing as well. With our old tow car it never happened but after we switched cars 18 months ago it is a regular issue. The heights of the towballs are almost exactly the same, so I thingk it must be one ball being a very slightly different shape to the other. We have a mover fitted and I find that moving the caravan forwards very slightly on the mover always sorts it out. I would have thought moving the car back very slightly once the caravan wheels are chocked would also do the same thing.