Whether you’re new to caravanning or have been part of the community for years, you need to ensure you have the right skills. One of the most important is the ability to hitch and unhitch to your towcar. We want to have a closer look at this today to give you a little guide. Then, if you’re ready for a break and want to book a pitch at one of the best caravan parks in Northallerton, you can speak to us.

Before you start

There are a few crucial things you need to do before you start positioning your towcar and caravan. Firstly, make sure everything is right with them, including the weights. Secondly, ensure you have a suitable towbar and it has been fitted correctly. Thirdly, check that both the towcar and caravan are under control and won’t move unexpectedly. Finally, check the instructions from the manufacturers, including the car, caravan, and towbar. If you need some more help, you may be able to get a demonstration from the caravan dealer.

Positioning

When you’re ready, the most important thing is to position the towcar and caravan properly so it is as easy as possible to manoeuvre. Ideally, make sure you have someone to help guide you, especially if the ground is sloping.

Start by adjusting the height of the caravan hitch, ensuring it is above the towball. You do this with the jockey wheel. When you’re happy, you can gently reverse your towcar into position. Always ensure you take care here and have enough room to manoeuvre. You’ll have no trouble if you stay at Parklands; we’ve created one of the best caravan parks in Northallerton, ensuring pitches have plenty of room.

Hitching

Next, you need to connect the breakaway cable. This is an important safety device that will apply the trailer’s brakes if it separates from the towcar. It prevents the caravan from slamming into the back of the vehicle or rolling into traffic. You must ensure you attach it properly, providing enough slack that it won’t pull taut and disconnect when you are manoeuvring.

Now you’re ready to connect to the towball, making sure the hitch is fully down over it. The most important thing here is to ensure you always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep in mind the process itself can differ depending on the towbar; there can be different coupling heads and handles, plus newer ones typically have integral stabilisers. It is good practice to double check couplings to confirm everything is secure.

Your next step is to retract or remove the jockey wheel. Make sure you do it by hand and don’t overtighten if you’re retracting it. If you remove it, put it safely in the caravan or towcar, ensuring it won’t move around.

Finally, you need to connect the electrics. This is vital to ensure all the lights are working. It can be a wise idea to get the dealer to demonstrate how to do this too so you understand the arrangement. Ultimately, every time you connect, make sure the connection is secure and test the lights.

Stay at one of the most unique caravan parks in Northallerton

Parklands is exactly what you want from a caravan park; a quiet, green setting in the Yorkshire countryside with quality pitches and good amenities. There is plenty of space, making it easier to hitch and unhitch caravans. The location is also ideal for everyone, especially if you want to spend some time enjoying local history or two of the UK’s best National Parks.

So, why not book your break today? You can learn more on our website and see why we are one of the favourite caravan parks in Northallerton. Then, you can contact us if you want to secure a pitch for your dates. Keep in mind we’re open all year round too!