Hitching up the Caravan Safely

[@barbsdee3831]

Thank you so much for this video. My husband used to do all these and I left him to it. Sadly he died 4 years ago of cancer. I’m now hoping to get a small caravan next spring so will be doing it all myself 😜

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi I am so glad it has helped you. May I say well done for carrying on. You are very brave. I am sure your Husband would be very proud of you. Well done. Phil👍🙂

[@MrG.42]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing. If on your own, to check your lights, set up you mobile phone behind the caravan, set to video record. Operate all your lights in sequence, then play the video. Up here for dancing, down there for thinking, that's me.

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi thanks for watching. Yes thats a great idea. Its great how we all have our own ways to make things easy. Thanks Phil👍🙂

[@barbsdee3831]

That is a fantastic tip, thanks for sharing 👍🏼❤

[@martinkitchin6204]

After a ten year gap we return to caravanning next week. I've been watching several 'How to hitch up' vids. And ours is probably the best and the most thorough. In all the years I've towed, I don't think we have ever used and stored the jockeywheel correctly. Thank you.

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi Martin. We all learn something new everyday. I am glad you have found the videos helpful. Thanks Phil👍🙂

[@CaravanVlogger]

Good demo here of what to do. Very helpful vlog. Thanks for sharing.

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Thanks for watching Graham. I hope it is of some use to Beginners. Thanks again Phil🙂👍

[@inverblue1988]

Very informative Phil. I am just glued to KZbin videos at the moment, especially yours as they are so easy to follow. I’m a first time touring caravaner, and just waiting to pick up my first one from my local dealer hopefully in a few weeks. It’s a 2021 Swift Europa 580, and I really want to get the basics of towing and setting up on the pitch done correctly & safely. Paul

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi Paul. Thanks for watching I am so pleased that these videos are of some use to you. It can be quite daunting Towing and setting up for the first time. Once you have done these things a few times it becomes second nature. Another Swift fan great. I bet you can't wait for the Dealers to call you. I know my Local Dealer's site is full of Shiny Swifts waiting for their Owners to collect. Take Care and enjoy your New Hobby. Phil🙂👍

[@byronkelvin912]

i guess it's quite off topic but does anyone know of a good site to stream new movies online?

[@conradgideon2960]

@Byron Kelvin i watch on Flixzone. You can find it on google =)

[@milleryusuf9802]

@Conrad Gideon yup, been using flixzone for since march myself :D

[@byronkelvin912]

@Conrad Gideon Thank you, signed up and it seems like a nice service =) Appreciate it !

[@MrBiffo1956]

We do things differently in Oz. We don't have those stabiliser locks. But we use Hayman Reese stabiliser bars

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi. Thats interesting. Uk Caravans all have chassis made in Germany by Alko they have used the system for Years. It would interesting to know which one is better, I suppose it depends the type of caravan. Thanks Phil🙂👍

[@kimbudd3491]

Lovely shiny shoes!😊

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Thanks Kim. I was a Coldstream Guard when I was younger😂. Thanks again Phil👍🙂

[@lensmanonline]

Hi Phil & Juliet. Great video & tips Phil, with electrical cable i put a twist in it (wind it up), that helps keep it away from the road. Also when we finished hooking up karen walks behind whilst i drive fron the storage yard/site so we can check all the lights remembering to stop and pick her up. Best wishes stay safe Jon & karen

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi Jon & Karen. Juliet does our lights check. Yes a twist is a great idea for the cable. Thanks and take care. Phil🙂👍

[@RailAdventUK]

Excellent video! Really informative indeed. Keep up the good work. Michael

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Thanks Michael. I hope all is well with you and thanks for your support. Phil🙂👍

[@RailAdventUK]

You are most welcome. All good here just waiting to get out again

[@derekchebsey6793]

Really good video as per usual. I a couple of times I’ve hitched up our with motor mover got in car and completely forgot to disengage either the break or mover luckily both times no damage caused but shows how easy it is to get distracted. Also one big mistake I made was not making sure the break away cable was completely free coming back from Wales all was good then went around a nasty bend in aberdovey and litterally heard a squeal then car just lost all power turned out the caravan break had pulled on prob due to tight bends luckily I was taking them slowly as it could of been much worse if the caravan had slid to the side we could of ended up swimming

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi Derek. I hope all is well. Towing and hitching up are so important. We all make mistakes. I snapped a breakaway cable on my first outing when unhitching. Thanks for your support and watching. Phil🙂👍

[@robswiseways5697]

There will be lots of caravaning newcomers this year who will appreciate your video Phil. By the way, the Skoda has made a guest appearance lol. All the best. Rob

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi Rob. Yes i suspect there will be lots of shiny New and Older vans on the roads this season. Yes this was the Skoda's final appearance. I shot the video in September last year. Many Thanks Phil🙂👍

[@HitchUpAndTow]

Very informative video, thanks for sharing

[@lostweekendscaravan]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching. Phil🙂👍

[@andrew-karens-adventures]

Great informative video Phil, we're collecting items for when caravan is available for picking up in April, I have bought a nose weight gauge great advice on emptying front locker & loading to the correct nose weight 👍

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi Andrew & Karen. I hope all is well. I bet you cannot wait to pick up your Caravan. There are some handy devices out there to help you. A nose weight gauge is very important. Yes I always empty the lock and re-introduce items until it is set correctly. Once you have sorted this out it lets you know what you can store or not store in the front locker whilst towing.. Hope to see you on the roads at some point. Take care Phil🙂👍

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Thanks for sharing, very informative vlog. I have the nose weight gauge you used, its the Mielnco one I believe. I did a bit of research before I bought and as I understand the Milenco is the only calibrated nose weight gauge, The other less expensive ones can be a little less accurate. So well worth the extra expense. Thanks for sharing

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hello Thanks Yes the Mielnco Gauge it calibrated and gives a very close reading. Thanks for watching Phil. 🙂👍

[@NellumNai]

No reverse camera and the car rocks when I put it in park. This should be fun 😂 pick up our first van next week...

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi If you have a motor mover use that to bring the hitch to the car it works really well. thanks Phil👍🙂

[@HereWeTow]

Good vlog Phil 👍

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Thanks Guys🙂👍

[@colinrimmer789]

Nice one Phil, does the bumper lift test? so important, once in 30 yrs I had the caravan detach whilst performing this check. To store the breakaway cable whilst on site / storage I clip it to the stem of the jockey wheel handle. Keeps it off the floor and away from potential damage. Good vid.

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi Colin I find the Bumper lift a lot more reassuring when hitching up I have not had any detachments so far. Yes I do store the breakaway as stated but I had made several takes on this and forgot to put it back. Great tip. Thanks for watching and your support. Phil🙂👍

[@Andeecee]

Hi Phil, You did not mention that there is usually a small indicator to let you know that the ALCO hitch lock is correctly attached to the towball. Raising then lowering the bumper is the secondary check.

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi there yes you are quite correct. I just mentioned the click that it makes. Bumper lifting is secondary but an important check to me. I feel a lot more confident completing it. Many Thanks Phil🙂👍

[@jonmorgan7942]

What Drill do you use for the Steadies as mine is useless with no Battery life

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi Jon I managed to get a makita in the sale at b&q. This was a few years ago and its never let me down. Many thanks Phil 👍🙂

[@gavinstreetie1473]

Ta da I’m the first today 😃 not just caravans that come disconnected ( oh yea) good reminder even if you are experienced , hope you resolved the other issue Nice shoes 👞 Gav Zehra rockstar

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi Gav, Zehra and Rocky. Wow yes you are thats a 1st. We must be safe and check these things carefully. Many Thanks Phil. Ps Chelsea Boots my favourite foot wear. Take Care🙂👍

[@CaravanEscapades101]

@@lostweekendscaravan I thought the same in the boots, very shiny and bulled up. Very smart

[@fat-shotgolf2937]

Fantastic thanks 😊

[@lostweekendscaravan]

You're welcome 😊I hope it was of use. Many Thanks Phil🙂👍

[@paul-fk7de]

Thinking of getting a caravan soon what's the purpose of the break away cable

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi Paul sorry for late reply but I have been away on hols to France. The breakaway cable should be attached when towing in case the tow hitch comes off. The cable then becomes taught and applies the caravans brakes. Hope this helps. phil

[@msn164]

What is ATC?

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi Joe It is Automatic Trailer Control. It is a device that can apply the Caravans brakes if the caravan begins to snake. It does work. Hope this helps Phil.🙂👍

[@michaelhesford4587]

Are you sure that is the correct way to attach the breakaway cable? I would thread the cable through the hole on the tow and ball hook it back onto itself .

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi Michael. Yes it is in the case of that vehicle. The Tow bar was designed that way. Looping it around the tow ball is not really best practise but with some tow bars you have no choice. Also I guess its personal choice. I hope this helps. Thanks Phil🙂👍

[@zeez9053]

You could if explained the break away cable.I have to imagine

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi I could have gone into more details but the video would have longer and sadly folk find them too long. Perhaps a another video maybe in order. Thanks Phil

[@zeez9053]

What is the atc

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi I repeat y previous comment. But ATC stands for Automatic Trailer Control. It is not fitted to all Caravans especially Sprites. It will apply the Caravans Breaks should it sense the Caravan is swaying too much whilst being towed. I hope this helps. Thanks Phil.🙂

[@TerryTerryTerry]

ATC?

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Automatic Trailer Control.🙂

[@TerryTerryTerry]

Need to be really simple and explain what the parts are before assuming knowledge.

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Thanks Terry I'll bare it in mind going forward. Phil🙂