Entering hitched caravans

Daisy2 replied on 27/12/2017 21:22

Daisy2

Posted on 27/12/2017 21:22

Evening all.

As a motorhomer I am used to being able to park at motorway services, move into the habitation section and use all the facilities, take a brief nap etc. So how does this work with a caravan? Can you enter a caravan when it's hitched to the car? Do you have to wind down all the legs? Do you need to put the jockey wheel down?

Sorry for asking what are probably daft questions but having now done a towing course, gotten my head around towing weights etc I'm thinking of all the more day-to-day functionality that must be different to a motorhome.

Thanks

Daisy2

53 replies

Wherenext replied on 29/12/2017 20:39

Member

Wherenext

Campervanner

Posted on 29/12/2017 20:39

So there you have it, Daisy.

You either don't bother lowering any of them or lower just one (preferably) on the loo side, or lower both rear ones, or all four and then sometimes any of the above and the jockey wheel.

Bet you are glad you asked the experts eh?

Pick any of the answers and see how you get on.

(BTW - we lower just the one rear one, but don't tell anyone)

3 people like this

Kennine replied on 30/12/2017 09:26

Kennine

Posted on 30/12/2017 09:26

No need to lower steadies or the jockey wheel. That is totally unnecessary. Just enjoy the van without a lot of messing about..

Hedgehurst replied on 30/12/2017 22:41

Member

Hedgehurst

Caravanner

Posted on 30/12/2017 22:41

... but if you do decide to lower one, two, three, or even four of 'em, I strongly endorse the "put the winder on the driver's seat" advice. That's the important bit, I feel.

Aside - does it truly save much time & effort to use a cordless drill winder, which needs carting about & recharging, rather than those few seconds of electricity-free low-tech winding by hand?

PS we're generally in the "lower one underneath the loo" camp.

1 person likes this

indoors replied on 02/01/2018 12:48

Member

indoors

Caravanner

Posted on 28/12/2017 09:30 by Metheven

Family or just the the two of you? We both have never dropped the steadies nor the jockey wheel, yes it will be a bit rocky but if you can live with that then its fine. If a stationary car cannot handle the extra noseweight put on its towball with persons near to the 'A' frame then I would seriously question the cars capabilities and loading. The steadies are what they are, just for steadying.

On road and travelling the caravan certainly gets a lot more pounding than a couple walking in it whilst stationary.

Posted on 02/01/2018 12:48

If a stationary car is loaded to it's maximum towball limit ( and some people do ) no it won't manage the extra weight and I wouldn't question the cars capabilities.

Tinwheeler replied on 02/01/2018 13:09

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 02/01/2018 12:48 by indoors

If a stationary car is loaded to it's maximum towball limit ( and some people do ) no it won't manage the extra weight and I wouldn't question the cars capabilities.

Posted on 02/01/2018 13:09

Don’t forget that we're talking about stationary use here and not the van and car bouncing about on the open road.

I'm sure the inbuilt safety margins will cope with a couple of people sitting near the front as far greater stresses will be encountered when on the move.

Tinwheeler replied on 02/01/2018 13:11

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 30/12/2017 22:41 by Hedgehurst

... but if you do decide to lower one, two, three, or even four of 'em, I strongly endorse the "put the winder on the driver's seat" advice. That's the important bit, I feel.

Aside - does it truly save much time & effort to use a cordless drill winder, which needs carting about & recharging, rather than those few seconds of electricity-free low-tech winding by hand?

PS we're generally in the "lower one underneath the loo" camp.

Posted on 02/01/2018 13:11

It’s not time but effort, HH. Not everyone is as young and flexible as you.

2 people like this

EmilysDad replied on 02/01/2018 13:13

Member

EmilysDad

Caravanner

Posted on 02/01/2018 12:48 by indoors

If a stationary car is loaded to it's maximum towball limit ( and some people do ) no it won't manage the extra weight and I wouldn't question the cars capabilities.

Posted on 02/01/2018 13:13

I agree with Tinwheeler.

Cornersteady replied on 02/01/2018 13:38

Member

Cornersteady

Caravanner

Posted on 02/01/2018 13:11 by Tinwheeler

It’s not time but effort, HH. Not everyone is as young and flexible as you.

Posted on 02/01/2018 13:38

and some like me are just plain lazy

1 person likes this

hitchglitch replied on 02/01/2018 15:44

Member

hitchglitch

Motorhomer

Posted on 02/01/2018 15:44

Using steadies is purely for comfort so if you don’t mind a bit of rocking then don’t bother. I always like to watch what the workshop does and when they unhitch a van and park it they put one rear steady down. Stops the unlikely chance of it tipping back I guess.

cyberyacht replied on 02/01/2018 16:25

Member

cyberyacht

Motorhomer

Posted on 02/01/2018 16:25

For the caravan to tip back, you'd have to lift the whole back of the car off the ground. Steadies not required for quick stop although passing HGV's make it rock a bit.

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