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We are having some problems with the Winterhoff stabiliser hitch on our 2006 Elddis caravan. When we come to unhitch, the handle lifts up correctly but when we wind the jockey wheel down we just lift the back of the car. We then move the car backwards and forwards a few times (12 this evening!!) and eventually the mechanism seems to free ane we can unhitch. We know that the hitch should not be fully exended or compressed, but even when it is somewhere in the middle it still doesn't work.

Anyone any idea what could be wrong? It has only started happening the last few times, before that we never had any problems. It has coincided with us getting a new car. Could the new towball or the more powerful engine be causing it?

Thanks for your help!!

The handle should move up slightly, then you can pull it back towards the 'van then all the rest of the way up - otherwise the hitch doesn't disengage properly.

Al.

Our hitch is a Winterhoff.  You do have to pull the handle back after initial release, then lift it fully. What may be happening is, if you just stop with the tow hitch under pressure, one of the friction pads could still be thrust hard against the towball, and it will still resist being lifted.

The reason why the hitch is designed to have two release positions is that, with the first release, the hitch still stays on the towball, and gives friction-free manoeuvring when reversing the van into position.

Bertie.

This has been a long standing problem with this hitch.

Simply when you stop, pull forward slightly and that should do "the trick".

Dave

Simple to solve.  When parked up, apply caravan hand brake.  Assuming you've reversed onto the pitch, pull the car forward a few inches (if pulled on forwards then reverse the car).  I think you'll find this does the trick, all you're trying to do is release the pressure on the hitch mechanism.  Certainly does for me.

Let me know how you get on.

Thanks for all your replies. We are going to try releasing the stabiliser to the half way position before we manouever the caravan to see if that makes a difference. We already apply the caravan's handbrake and pull forward to extend the hitch before we try to unhitch. It doesn't seem to make a difference whether the hitch is fully extended, compressed or somewhere inbetween it still won't uncouple.

Off to Mablethorpe for Easter - will let you know how we get on when we return.

Quote: Originally posted by Davebelcanto on 08/4/2009

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This has been a long standing problem with this hitch.

Simply when you stop, pull forward slightly and that should do "the trick".

Dave

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But on the UP side, the fore and aft situation of the friction pads does reduce pitching on undulating road surfaces.

Bertie.

When we arrived on site for Easter, the hitch uncoupled first time. Which was a great relief as we had somehow managed to lose the bottom half of our jockey wheel onroute.  OH and 2 wardens had to physically lift the van off the hitch!!

No idea how we managed that - cost us £40 for a new one. Maybe someone spotted our missing one in the slow lane of the M180?!?!?