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Quote: Originally posted by Shytot4x4 on 01/8/2006

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A twin axle caravan might just stay the right way up in a breakway incident as the hitch / A-frame would be unlikely to come into 'hard' contact with the ground. However, a un-hitched single axle caravan with the brakes hard on would try to bury it's hitch into the road. Think how a pole vaulter gets his pole to 'lock' to the ground. Then think of a single axle caravan... Ouch!

 

Simon H

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Disagree with you there Simon. I reckon a twin axle with the brakes jammed on hard, the tow hitch would still hit the ground pretty hard. Or where you meaning one of those old wooden gypsy caravans with an axle at each end!!

Steve.

I have managed to become detached twice in about 30 years . On both occasions the cable worked well by putting the van brake on and the cable detached from the car.  Both times I had not got hitched correctly with the ball not quite in place.

Both times the van broke free just after setting off. On the first occasion it happened going up bit of a slope and the second time pulling away after  braking so it may be unlikely that it would happen at speed although I am not keen to go for the hat trick .As you may imagine I am neurotic about this and check at least twice and seek a second opinion from OH before setting off.

Iwas lucky both times , or perhaps it was down to good caravan design , that the van was not damaged apart from the broken clip on the breakaway cable.

  One day I had pulled the van out of the drive onto the road hitched up and away I drove.  I had gone about 30yds when there was an almighty bang.  The caravan had come off the hitch the breakaway cable pulled the brakes on the van  then broke  and because the jockey wheel was pulled right up  the caravan thudded down onto the road digging into the tarmac about 1/2 inch.I was passing a row of parked cars at the time and if vans weren't fitted with breakaway cables I dread to think of the damage I might have caused. I hadn't let the hitch lock onto the ball correctly but It wont happen again thats for sure.

Regards   Jim

Hi, we put ours to the test, inadvertently, when pulling away from our pitch once.  I had not sufficiently checked the coupling and we were pulling up a slight slope.  The van slipped off and had it not been for the cable would have run down hill into the other vans pitched around.  Luckily no damage to the van, and no incident with damage to others, huge embarrassment though, and big lesson learned about double checking!!!!

Paul

After locking the van hitch onto the tow ball, I always wind the jockey wheel down again, but obviously without using excessive force.   If it attempts to lift the car, I know the hitch is secure.  This check is common among caravanners, and I believe it has been recommended in several caravanning mags.

Bertie  

Quote: Originally posted by The 2 Tops on 02/8/2006

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After locking the van hitch onto the tow ball, I always wind the jockey wheel down again, but obviously without using excessive force.   If it attempts to lift the car, I know the hitch is secure.  This check is common among caravanners, and I believe it has been recommended in several caravanning mags.

Bertie  

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that is a technigue i have used for the last few years since having my tt the oh still dont understand what i do it for but in my mind i know my family are safe even if she cant realise what im saying

i always pull off the driveway and then check and when i get up the hill and past the speed humps i then check again on the level ground. she thinks im mad but better safe than sorry is my answer