Tips and Tricks

1. Weight & Load Safety

Confirm tow vehicle towing capacity vs caravan ATM & ball weight.

Check ball weight is 8–12% of caravan weight—not too light (sway) or too heavy (front suspension sag).

Load heaviest items low and centered. No rear-heavy packing.

2. Tyre Condition & Pressures

Set correct tyre pressures for both car and van (most overlook the van).

Inspect for cracks, bulges, uneven wear, old tyres.  = 

3. Brakes & Bearings

Test electric brakes, check the controller is calibrated.

Ensure bearings are greased and not noisy—one seized bearing can destroy a hub.

4. Coupling & Safety Gear

Confirm hitch is fully seated, locked, and pinned.

Cross safety chains under the drawbar.

Attach breakaway cable to the vehicle—not the chains.

Check jockey wheel is removed or properly locked up.

5. Lights & Electrical

Plug in the 7/12-pin connector and test every light:

Indicators

Brake lights

Clearance lights

Reverse lights (if fitted)

Check Anderson plug is charging (many think it is—but it’s not).

6. Gas, Water, Doors & Hatches

Close gas bottles, secure the valves.

All windows, hatches, roof vents locked.

Fridge door latched.

Step folded away.

Water filler caps locked.

7. Stabiliser / Weight Distribution

If you fit WDH bars correctly and tension evenly.

Ensure stabilizers and legs are up (common rookie mistake).

8. Mirrors & Visibility

Fit towing mirrors with a wide field of view.

Adjust for both lanes and van edges.

9. Inside the Caravan

All items secured or stored low.

TV removed or strapped.

Cupboards latched.

Nothing sitting loose on the benches.

10. Final Walk-Around 

A quick two-minute full lap checking:

Tyres

Chains

Lights

Coupling

Steps

Hatches

Clearance around the site
This catches 90% of mistakes.