Arrival On Site - Levelling, Uncoupling and Setting Up the outside of a Caravan.

Siting a caravan, levelling, uncoupling and setting up the outside. Connecting the water, waste, mains electrics, gas etc. This is one of a series of videos primarily created to assist our hire customers by giving detailed instruction on various aspects of using a touring caravan.

[@leebultitude1128]

One thing you don’t mention which is quite important is that if you are going to reverse the caravan onto the levelling ramp you must ensure that you then decompress the coupling once the caravan handbrake has been applied. If you fail to do this then when you release the coupling from the tow ball it will probably shoot forwards and into the tow vehicle possibly causing damage ! It looked like you had done this but wasn’t explained for any beginners watching. Also locate the towing electric hook up into the slot provided on the A frame this will prevent it getting dirt and water in rather than just leaving it dangling.

[@fishandreptileinfo]

Well said Lee Bultitude, I was just about to write this and noticed your comment. ....."you must ensure that you then decompress the coupling once the caravan handbrake has been applied. If you fail to do this then when you release the coupling from the tow ball it will probably shoot forwards and into the tow vehicle possibly causing damage !"

[@busterboy7505]

Thanks for your video very easy to follow and remember 👍👍.

[@user-dg5yp1jo7r]

Regarding reversing backwards onto levelling ramp. You should always pull the caravan forwards onto the levelling ramp, this is because when the caravan wheels rotate backwards the automatic reverse function is activated automatically on the caravan you have. This would leave the caravan in a state that the caravan brakes will not work as effectively straight away as they should do. Also the piston inside the rubber boot on the hitch is likely to be compressed, which could cause bumper damage when unhitched as the piston returns out. Any reverse manoeuvre should ALWAYS be finished by pulling the caravan forwards a rotation of the wheel before un coupling. This is so the automatic brake release function is reset. This is the best practice advice given by the caravan and motor home club and Camping and Caravanning Club. A motor home however would be reversed onto the levelling ramp for ease of driving off if the ground was wet / damp in the mornings. Which I suspect is your reasoning for reversing up the levelling ramp. Keep up the good work in helping others enjoy their caravanning.

[@AC-SlaUkr]

Really informative, thank-you. ☺️

[@MichaelSmith-eo9wr]

I’ve been Caravanning for a while, but I picked up some useful points on both videos. I wish I’d found these when I first started! Nice methodical presentation and no long, inane introductions! Thank you very much.

[@costockcaravansltd4168]

Thank you

[@philhode5104]

At last,someone explained the levelling

[@normanwellington9259]

Nice and easy does it, made to look simple.😊

[@ronaldyardley8965]

Well done Lee, at last, the right way and safe way is to Reverse the caravan up the levelling ramp.👍

[@eatmycomments]

excuse my ignorance (only just got my first caravan!) what are the advantages of leveling by reversing onto the ramps?

[@ronaldyardley8965]

@@eatmycomments Hi..The Reason why I now "Reverse" our Caravan up the levelling ramp is because the caravan Handbrake Holds it Firmly in place and just to be extra Happy also chock the wheel, iv seen fellow Caravanners Drive up the levelling ramp and apply the Hand brake only to see the caravan Roll backwards! The Braking system doesn't hold the van in Reverse..Happy and safe caravanning..👍🍷

[@adriandavie952]

it doesnt matter..it can come forward or backwards by an inch or two..either way. and if you pull it up/onto the ramp..you havent got top decompress the coupling befor removing the van...swings and roundabouts stuff@@ronaldyardley8965 ..

[@johnboycash3225]

Never reverse a caravan up a leveling ramp , the brakes will overide

[@Paulforsilvers]

Very well explained, thank you

[@costockcaravansltd4168]

You are welcome!

[@pansypotter4]

Forwards never backwards, that's what we were told.

[@crobinson1977]

If you leave the electric wire out of the socket on the a frame it can be bad because it might blow off in the wind and get water and grass in. If the break away cable falls off that is a tripping hazard

[@dogriver751]

I wouldn't have thought there is any need to put the spirit level on the axle. Put it where you can see it. On the step for example. If the caravan is level it will be 'level' at the back, the front, and anywhere else.

[@costockcaravansltd4168]

Whilst this is true, ""Across the axle" is a simple and descriptive way of explaining that we are levelling the caravan side to side - not front to back.

[@pensforgts]

good thank you, i have a question. Is it going to hurtthe wheels if it stays on it long?

[@leebultitude1128]

Do you mean if the van is sat on the tyres without moving ? If so yes you should try and move the van every so often to prevent strain on the tyre sidewall 👍🏼

[@crobinson1977]

If the electric wire is left out of the socket it can get wet inside and the break away cable could fall of and be a tripping hazard

[@davecrook4233]

No block of wood under the jockey wheel? Grass pitch it could sink whilst uncoupling from the car.

[@Growdankmeds]

For a much more accurate level, use a longer spirit level lol

[@adriandavie952]

after lowering the legs....take the weight off the nose this will help the van settle properly..

[@briangilbert6241]

You should go forward to lift the caravan on the levelling ramp not backwards

[@japio8955]

If you go forward on the levelling ramp, the handbrake will be useless, because of the reversing system.

[@kenco3370]

You should go forward onto the ramps! Not reverse.

[@japio8955]

If you go forward on the ramps, the handbrake will be useless, because of the reversing system.

[@aidanwright7503]

This is bad advice, you should never reverse on to the ramp to level, this disengages the brakes and is dangerous.

[@japio8955]

If you go forward on the levelling ramp, the handbrake will be useless, because of the reversing system. It will only properly apply the brakes in the forward direction. (going down the ramps)

[@gaetanoamante3774]

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