How to hitch and unhitch your caravan
A practical guide from Caravan Information Services
If you are new to caravanning, hitching up can seem daunting as you tackle levers, cables, stabilisers, jockey wheels, corner steadies, tow balls and electrics.
However, follow the procedure in this step-by-step guide. And you’ll be ready to travel safely before you know it.
But first, read the following notes on general towbar safety and insurance:
Towbars are now included in a vehicle MOT under ‘Section 6 – Body, Structure and Attachments’. During an MOT, a tester will check for general wear on towbar pins, jaws or hooks, elongated pin locating holes, and excessively worn tow balls.
Always have a towbar fitted by a specialist. If you purchase a used vehicle with a towbar, check for signs of repair and the most recent MOT certificate for advisory notices.
Insurance companies also classify towbars as vehicle modifications. So declare you have a towbar fitted. It’s unlikely your insurer will charge a premium, and many providers offer a discount because the vehicle travels at slower speeds. Failing to declare a towbar as a modification may also invalidate your insurance in the case of a claim.
With general towbar safety and the insurance impact understood, it’s time to hitch up your caravan:
Pre-hitch checks
If you use a standard hitch, you can grease a tow ball, but if you use an Alko Stabiliser, the tow ball must be clean and free of oil, grease, and dirt.
Alko Stabilisers improve drivability and lane handling and reduce snaking. The units are larger than a standard hitch, so always check you have enough working clearance between the stabiliser housing and your vehicle’s bodywork.
If you use a stabiliser, clean the tow ball with methylated spirits or a similar solvent every time you hitch up.
Next, ensure the corner steadies on your caravan are raised, the caravan handbrake is on, any hitch locks and wheel clamps are removed, and the hitch is higher than the tow ball on your vehicle.
Reversing your vehicle
Many modern vehicles have reversing sensors or cameras, but it still pays to have someone else ready to guide you.
Reverse slowly in a straight line wherever possible, keeping the centre of your caravan in line with the middle of your rear window.
Stop reversing when the tow ball is directly below the hitch. If you don’t have another person as a guide, you may need to stop and double-check your distance three or four times.
Hitching up
First, connect the breakaway safety cable. Loop around the towbar or through a purpose-made eyelet where fitted. Then, clip the cable back on itself.
Now, raise the hitch lever and lower the front of the caravan by winding up the jockey wheel. When the hitch connects to the tow ball, the hitch lever clicks down.
If you use an Alko Stabiliser, an indicator will show that the hitch has engaged correctly.
Perform an extra safety step by winding the jockey wheel down slightly to see if the rear of your vehicle lifts by an inch or two.
When you are happy, wind the jockey wheel up and ensure the retaining forks are located correctly to prevent it from winding down in transit. The jockey wheel stowing method varies between caravan models, so check the manufacturer’s instructions.
Lower the stabiliser handle to activate it (if fitted). Then check that the visual indicator is green.
Finally, connect the electrics:
Older connectors use a pair of 7-pin plugs. The black plug connects the side lights, brake lights, fog lights, and indicators. The grey plug connects reversing lights, powers the fridge with 12v, charges the battery and runs accessories.
Newer caravans have a single EU-style 13-pin connector. To lock in place, the plugs need to rotate clockwise by 90°.
Pre-departure checks
You’ve successfully hitched your vehicle and caravan. Now it’s time to perform final safety checks:
- Make sure your vehicle handbrake is on, then release the caravan handbrake.
- Check the lights all work.
- Ensure your caravan doors, windows and roof lights are closed.
- Make any necessary adjustments to your towing mirrors.
That’s it! You’re ready to embark on your caravanning adventure.
When you arrive at your destination, follow these steps to unhitch your caravan:
- Ensure your car handbrake is on.
- Apply the caravan handbrake.
- Use wheel chocks when parked on an incline.
- Unclamp and lower the jockey wheel, then retighten.
- Disengage the stabiliser hitch if fitted.
- Wind down the jockey wheel while lifting the hitch lever until the hitch clears the tow ball.
- Unclip the breakaway safety cable.