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?
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.
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Jenny and Barry
2009 Roma Elegance / 2013 Colorado. Permanent travellers 2011-2015 now just travel for 4-6 mths
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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Cheers Jeff
Ticking off the bucket list before we kick it!
200 TTD with Evernew 22'6" and 40+ years in the oil & gas industry, now retired. CMCA Member.
