We head off on Monday from SA for FNQ and will be doing a number of nite stops along the way. Some sites will be big enough to allow our 4x4 to remain coupled to the van. When doing this should i wind down the stabilising legs? I will disconnet the electrical connection from the 4x4 is there anything else to consider?
villatranquilla said
03:44 PM May 24, 2014
we don't wind down the stabilisers for an over-night stop but will release the WDH bars and let down the jockey wheel to take a bit of weight off the tug. We also like to park with the nose toward the exit.
Jack said
03:54 PM May 24, 2014
Thanks hadnt thought of that
grahamg said
04:56 PM May 24, 2014
On our 3 month trip we also had a number of overnight stops but for number of reasons like shopping, sight seeing etc we hardly ever had the chance to stay connected but it was good in the mornings when we were attached.
elliemike said
07:43 PM May 24, 2014
We stay connected for overnight stops with the Jockey wheel down . This just steadies the van as we move Forward to Aft inside
I just pull the seven pin trailer plug out, As the electric brakes "Tick" softly for some reason ! and keep me awake.
Parking always with a view to easy "get away" in case of Emergencies. (Bush Fire, Flooding, Hoons, Noisy Generators)
We, by the way, never have had to quickly exit a free camp in the night. That includes camping in Europe, USA, Canada, NZ, Australia.
Gerty Dancer said
10:08 PM May 24, 2014
We usually unplug the 7-pin plug, put the jockey wheel on, put down the stabilisers. Ours is only a single axle and seems to be a bit wobbly without the "legs" down. Pop-top up, cant walk with it down, but I've seen others leave their pop-top down.
Jonathan said
10:26 PM May 24, 2014
Hi folks ..
If I'm only making overnight stops (roadside) I leave it all connected except for the 12v anderson connection as the fridge will be on gas ..
The camping ground surface will determine if the legs are put down ..
Primarily its a reason of personal security .. If I do need to depart quickly at any time, then its almost ready to go ..
I do also leave the WDH bars in position .. (My Van has dual axles) ..
Paul and Pam on Tour said
06:22 AM May 25, 2014
My 2 cents worth; some electric brake set-ups do apply a small current continually due to continuity checking circuitry (if there is a break in continuity the driver will be warned), some, but not all tow vehicle/trailer connections may also remain active when connected even with the ignition turned off, because of this I always unplug. Weight Distribution Devices, by their very nature apply considerable force to both the caravan A frame and the towbar mountings regardless of how many trailer axles there are, I believe it is undesirable to have this force applied for any unnecessary time, I disconnect mine but leave the chains/levers intact for overnight stops.
For the same reason I install the jockey wheel and raise the back of the vehicle slightly for overnight stops, to have 150kg+ on the towbar overnight is not something I'd do, the jockey wheel also stabilisers our van satisfactorily without the need for any legs, sure there will be some movement as we walk around but not enough to cause discomfit, we too have never had the need to suddenly evacuate a campsite in over 25 years of camping but I guess others have.
Jack said
06:42 AM May 25, 2014
Thanks everybody for all your advice it has been very useful.
safe travelling
Jack
spinjohn said
02:06 AM May 27, 2014
Yes I concur, for an over night stop, unplug, and jockey wheel. I don't use WDH now, but when I did I just released tension to last link. I also don't put van handbrake on, just in case I have a senior moment and don't release it the following morning before driving off.
Safe travels.
Roving-Dutchy said
11:42 AM May 27, 2014
Don't disconnect anything if overnight stop just use jockey wheel to level van this takes load off WDH and also tug, battery is protected by fridge switch if I forget to switch to gas and also 12v to 12v charger automatically disconnects if voltage is not above 12.5v.
Cheers
David
Legendts said
01:32 PM May 27, 2014
elliemike wrote:
We stay connected for overnight stops with the Jockey wheel down . This just steadies the van as we move Forward to Aft inside
I just pull the seven pin trailer plug out, As the electric brakes "Tick" softly for some reason ! and keep me awake.
Parking always with a view to easy "get away" in case of Emergencies. (Bush Fire, Flooding, Hoons, Noisy Generators)
We, by the way, never have had to quickly exit a free camp in the night. That includes camping in Europe, USA, Canada, NZ, Australia.
Mike and others, I have a solenoid near the tug battery where power goes to the van so that when I turn off the ignition no power goes to the van. I also have the same for my Anderson plug. Saves the need to unplug for overnight stops. I do have solar and 2 X 100 amp/hr batteries in the van.
We head off on Monday from SA for FNQ and will be doing a number of nite stops along the way. Some sites will be big enough to allow our 4x4 to remain coupled to the van. When doing this should i wind down the stabilising legs? I will disconnet the electrical connection from the 4x4 is there anything else to consider?
Thanks hadnt thought of that
We stay connected for overnight stops with the Jockey wheel down . This just steadies the van as we move Forward to Aft inside
I just pull the seven pin trailer plug out, As the electric brakes "Tick" softly for some reason ! and keep me awake.
Parking always with a view to easy "get away" in case of Emergencies. (Bush Fire, Flooding, Hoons, Noisy Generators)
We, by the way, never have had to quickly exit a free camp in the night. That includes camping in Europe, USA, Canada, NZ, Australia.
Hi folks ..
If I'm only making overnight stops (roadside) I leave it all connected except for the 12v anderson connection as the fridge will be on gas ..
The camping ground surface will determine if the legs are put down ..
Primarily its a reason of personal security .. If I do need to depart quickly at any time, then its almost ready to go ..
I do also leave the WDH bars in position .. (My Van has dual axles) ..
For the same reason I install the jockey wheel and raise the back of the vehicle slightly for overnight stops, to have 150kg+ on the towbar overnight is not something I'd do, the jockey wheel also stabilisers our van satisfactorily without the need for any legs, sure there will be some movement as we walk around but not enough to cause discomfit, we too have never had the need to suddenly evacuate a campsite in over 25 years of camping but I guess others have.
Thanks everybody for all your advice it has been very useful.
safe travelling
Jack
Safe travels.
Cheers
David
Mike and others, I have a solenoid near the tug battery where power goes to the van so that when I turn off the ignition no power goes to the van. I also have the same for my Anderson plug. Saves the need to unplug for overnight stops. I do have solar and 2 X 100 amp/hr batteries in the van.