Overnight Stops

sherro · Member

Overnight Stops

KJB · Guru

If you are satisfied that the van is level enough for you where you stopped , just step in and use it - purely up to you if you want to unhitch or if you want to wind the stabilizer legs or jockey wheel down. Sometimes a chock under a van wheel can surfice for levelling...... It is yours, just enjoy it - no real rules. KB

Are We Lost · Guru

There is no technical reason that you would need to disconnect.

The majority of caravan park sites are not long enough to support staying connected, but some are. Usually, freedom camping there is room to stay connected. If travelling and only stopping for one night I will always look for a place I don't have to disconnect.

yobarr · Guru

sherro wrote:
First question from me, and it's an absolute newbie question!
If you stop just for one night, is it necessary to disengage the van from the car and balance up?

Hi David.To throw a cat among the pigeons,I'll say that I never unhitch the van when I stop for the night,nor do I even lower the stabilizing legs.Because I usually free-camp,it is easy to get the van somewhere near level,checking with the small spirit level on the drawbar. Usually I simply walk everywhere to "see the sights",and last week I walked over 60kms around the town I was camped near! In the "Old days" when many still had those "Good for nothing" 3-way fridges,it was important to get the van level,but no more! Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 18th of November 2021 07:13:12 PM

Wanda · Guru

Gee thats an easy one, no biggrin
Next
Ian

sherro · Member

Thanks all, I thought so, but, you know, newbie and all........

Freedom camping is what we want

kgarnett · Senior Member

I often stay hitched, but generally disconnect any electrical cables.
Ken

Rob Driver · Guru

If you have a van with a slide out you will have to disconnect the wiring loom from van to car to enable the slide out to be activated.

If this is the case you may stay hooked up just dont forget to reconnect the wiring loom plug to the car when you set off the next morning.

sherro · Member

Yes, we've got a slide-out so that's good to know

Rob Driver · Guru

sherro wrote:
Yes, we've got a slide-out so that's good to know

I got caught when we got the new van with the slide out.

I did not have to disconnect anything with the old one.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

If I am only doing a one night stand it is usually in a free camp or similar so leave the aluminium tent hooked up to car. I do put the jockey stand on though just to take any extra weight of car. I don't usually bring stabilisers down either. Less to be done in morning the better.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

Buzz Lightbulb · Guru

During our recent winter/spring travel, we would often stay overnight. We left the caravan connected, if necessary we leveled the caravan side to side with wedges and, again, if necessary, wwe leveled the caravan front and back with the car's air suspension. The three way fridge worked fine, gas whilst the car wasn't running.

Mike Harding · Guru

As others have stated: it is not, however I normally fit the jockey wheel and wind it up a few turns in order to take most of the weight off the car springs, just being kind to the car suspension. I may, or may not, wind down the rear stabiliser legs.

mark and kerry · Veteran Member

Ive had a good for nothing fridge for over 15years so its good for something

Radar · Guru

yobarr wrote:
sherro wrote:
First question from me, and it's an absolute newbie question!
If you stop just for one night, is it necessary to disengage the van from the car and balance up?
Hi David.To throw a cat among the pigeons,I'll say that I never unhitch the van when I stop for the night,nor do I even lower the stabilizing legs.Because I usually free-camp,it is easy to get the van somewhere near level,checking with the small spirit level on the drawbar. Usually I simply walk everywhere to "see the sights",and last week I walked over 60kms around the town I was camped near! In the "Old days" when many still had those "Good for nothing" 3-way fridges,it was important to get the van level,but no more! Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 18th of November 2021 07:13:12 PM

Do you only concern yourself with I as I can be very lonely.

As for overnight with a base frig is here or there and was not in the topic.

yobarr · Guru

Radar wrote:
yobarr wrote:
sherro wrote:
First question from me, and it's an absolute newbie question!
If you stop just for one night, is it necessary to disengage the van from the car and balance up?
Hi David.To throw a cat among the pigeons,I'll say that I never unhitch the van when I stop for the night,nor do I even lower the stabilizing legs.Because I usually free-camp,it is easy to get the van somewhere near level,checking with the small spirit level on the drawbar. Usually I simply walk everywhere to "see the sights",and last week I walked over 60kms around the town I was camped near! In the "Old days" when many still had those "Good for nothing" 3-way fridges,it was important to get the van level,but no more! Cheers
Do you only concern yourself with I as I can be very lonely.
As for overnight with a base frig is here or there and was not in the topic.

At the risk of confusing you,could I point out that the OP asked whether you (I) "stop for one night,is it necessary to disenage the van",and my response was that do I do not do so.Because I was referring to what I do,surely it is appropriate to use the term "I" ? .As for your suggestion that reference to a "base frig" (?) is not "in the topic",could I suggest that it most certainly is,as the need to level these ancient bits of equipment is well known,and would be one of the few reasons to bother messing around unhooking,and levelling the van.If ever I have to quickly move on from any place I've stopped, I simply turn off my water pumps (to minimise the loss of water from broken pipe fittings on dirt roads),lock my fridge door,close the van door,start the car, and away I go! No jockey wheel,no stabilizers,no water hoses,no power cable.Easy as! Cheers

P.S Checking tyre pressures,hitch point,shackles,electrical connections etc is done daily on my walk around the car and van,and I regularly check such things as U Bolts,springs,shocks,lights, etc etc.

-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 19th of November 2021 01:03:50 PM

Bicyclecamper · Guru

With our last van I never disconnected from the car, nor did I put down the corner steadies, nor did we pop the roof, just for an overnighter. In our van the poptop roof only raised 30cm, so 6ft 1 me could just stand up in it with the poptop down. We could still open the tailgate, so it was never a problem. This has changed with the new (old ) camper, and our newer car, and we must disconnect. This may change later though am contemplating extending the drawbar.

KJB · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Radar wrote:
yobarr wrote:
sherro wrote:
First question from me, and it's an absolute newbie question!
If you stop just for one night, is it necessary to disengage the van from the car and balance up?
Hi David.To throw a cat among the pigeons,I'll say that I never unhitch the van when I stop for the night,nor do I even lower the stabilizing legs.Because I usually free-camp,it is easy to get the van somewhere near level,checking with the small spirit level on the drawbar. Usually I simply walk everywhere to "see the sights",and last week I walked over 60kms around the town I was camped near! In the "Old days" when many still had those "Good for nothing" 3-way fridges,it was important to get the van level,but no more! Cheers
Do you only concern yourself with I as I can be very lonely.
As for overnight with a base frig is here or there and was not in the topic.
At the risk of confusing you,could I point out that the OP asked whether you (I) "stop for one night,is it necessary to disenage the van",and my response was that do I do not do so.Because I was referring to what I do,surely it is appropriate to use the term "I" ? .As for your suggestion that reference to a "base frig" (?) is not "in the topic",could I suggest that it most certainly is,as the need to level these ancient bits of equipment is well known,and would be one of the few reasons to bother messing around unhooking,and levelling the van.If ever I have to quickly move on from any place I've stopped, I simply turn off my water pumps (to minimise the loss of water from broken pipe fittings on dirt roads),lock my fridge door,close the van door,start the car, and away I go! No jockey wheel,no stabilizers,no water hoses,no power cable.Easy as! Cheers
P.S Checking tyre pressures,hitch point,shackles,electrical connections etc is done daily on my walk around the car and van,and I regularly check such things as U Bolts,springs,shocks,lights, etc etc.

-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 19th of November 2021 01:03:50 PM

Pretty clear and to the point .....KB

SoloMC · Senior Member

I never unhitch for an overnight stop for 2 reasons.

I dont lower the stabilers either
It's a lot easier and
2nd if you need to make a quick getaway, just go. (Its only happened once in 20 years wjhen ifelt unsafe with the local hoons doing burnouts around my van)

I do try to level up sideways using ramps so i dont roll to one side of the bed. Not really worried about front/rear level too much
The weight on the vehicle suspension is minimal while at rest compared to while moving

-- Edited by SoloMC on Friday 19th of November 2021 06:21:56 PM

yobarr · Guru

SoloMC wrote:
I never unhitch for an overnight stop for 2 reasons.
I dont lower the stabilers either
It's a lot easier and
2nd if you need to make a quick getaway, just go. (Its only happened once in 20 years wjhen ifelt unsafe with the local hoons doing burnouts around my van)

I do try to level up sideways using ramps so i dont roll to one side of the bed. Not really worried about front/rear level too much
The weight on the vehicle suspension is minimal while at rest compared to while moving.

Wondered if anybody would state the obvious! Well done.Cheers

Bobdown · Guru

We never unhook at a free camp unless it is for 2 or more nights.

Sometimes put the jockey wheel on for levelling purposes only, rarely use corner stabilizers either.

Cupie · Guru

We rarely do free camps but have done some drive throughs in Van parks.

In these cases you can often stay hooked up if you want to as the sites are usually pretty level. In these very rare cases for us , I have found the sites to be usually level enough sideways for our beaut 20year Old 3 way fridge but If necessary I use the jockey wheel to get it level front to rear after dropping the Weight Distribution Bars and I do unplug the electrics.

As a rule we don't do overnighters. Our minimum stop is three nights, two at a pinch. Too old for this go go go stuff.

As most have said & IMHO if you can get the rig relatively level then there is no reason to disconnect.

Brodie Allen · Guru

Rob Driver wrote:
If you have a van with a slide out you will have to disconnect the wiring loom from van to car to enable the slide out to be activated.

If this is the case you may stay hooked up just dont forget to reconnect the wiring loom plug to the car when you set off the next morning.

Absolutely not so.

I am on my second slide-out (wouldn't consider anything else)

and go for 6 months of the year away and don't disconnect anything.

the slide-out power supply is totally separate from the vehicle.

Rob Driver · Guru

Brodie Allen wrote:
Rob Driver wrote:
If you have a van with a slide out you will have to disconnect the wiring loom from van to car to enable the slide out to be activated.

If this is the case you may stay hooked up just dont forget to reconnect the wiring loom plug to the car when you set off the next morning.
Absolutely not so.

I am on my second slide-out (wouldn't consider anything else)
and go for 6 months of the year away and don't disconnect anything.

the slide-out power supply is totally separate from the vehicle.

Gee, it has been indicated twice on this forum in the one week that I am lying.

Once from a bloke that just hadnt been out and about as much as he thought he had, and the second time by you who I hold absolutely no respect for at all after the vulgar and vile comments you made to my wife regarding deaths with Covid. Yes the post was deleted so it is my word against yours.

Back to the slide out.

Yes, the power supply to the slide out comes from the van battery

Lippert is an American company that made the slide out components in my van.

How it was explained to me is that they have a module in their system which is programable and have options for wiring. Some van manufacturers wire and set the Lippert System controller so that when power is coming from the tow vehicle the slide out WONT WORK.

It is a safety system that prevents the slide out sliding out while you are driving. I would think that using that function was a no brainer.

If your van manufacturer decided not to use that safety item then so be it, but that does not make me a liar, it makes you Ill informed or at the least, unlucky.

The OP may have that safety function or he may not, however, now he and others know that when they pull up for the night and while remaining connected to the car and their slide out wont operate, then they know to disconnect the van power connection to the car.

You need to put your brain in gear before you post mate.

norto · Member

We have a slide out and don't disconnect when free camping. Other vans may be different.

KJB · Guru

Rob Driver wrote:
Brodie Allen wrote:
Rob Driver wrote:
If you have a van with a slide out you will have to disconnect the wiring loom from van to car to enable the slide out to be activated.

If this is the case you may stay hooked up just dont forget to reconnect the wiring loom plug to the car when you set off the next morning.
Absolutely not so.

I am on my second slide-out (wouldn't consider anything else)
and go for 6 months of the year away and don't disconnect anything.

the slide-out power supply is totally separate from the vehicle.
Gee, it has been indicated twice on this forum in the one week that I am lying.
Once from a bloke that just hadnt been out and about as much as he thought he had, and the second time by you who I hold absolutely no respect for at all after the vulgar and vile comments you made to my wife regarding deaths with Covid. Yes the post was deleted so it is my word against yours.
Back to the slide out.
Yes, the power supply to the slide out comes from the van battery
Lippert is an American company that made the slide out components in my van.
How it was explained to me is that they have a module in their system which is programable and have options for wiring. Some van manufacturers wire and set the Lippert System controller so that when power is coming from the tow vehicle the slide out WONT WORK.
It is a safety system that prevents the slide out sliding out while you are driving. I would think that using that function was a no brainer.
If your van manufacturer decided not to use that safety item then so be it, but that does not make me a liar, it makes you Ill informed or at the least, unlucky.
The OP may have that safety function or he may not, however, now he and others know that when they pull up for the night and while remaining connected to the car and their slide out wont operate, then they know to disconnect the van power connection to the car.
You need to put your brain in gear before you post mate.

The use of the word "may.." in the appropriate place in these Postings would have saved all of this arguing over nothing..... KB

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I dont ! Lol

Halfwaythere · Veteran Member

Nice.......

Couldn't afford one

oldbloke · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Radar wrote:
yobarr wrote:
sherro wrote:
First question from me, and it's an absolute newbie question!
If you stop just for one night, is it necessary to disengage the van from the car and balance up?
Hi David.To throw a cat among the pigeons,I'll say that I never unhitch the van when I stop for the night,nor do I even lower the stabilizing legs.Because I usually free-camp,it is easy to get the van somewhere near level,checking with the small spirit level on the drawbar. Usually I simply walk everywhere to "see the sights",and last week I walked over 60kms around the town I was camped near! In the "Old days" when many still had those "Good for nothing" 3-way fridges,it was important to get the van level,but no more! Cheers
Do you only concern yourself with I as I can be very lonely.
As for overnight with a base frig is here or there and was not in the topic.
At the risk of confusing you,could I point out that the OP asked whether you (I) "stop for one night,is it necessary to disenage the van",and my response was that do I do not do so.Because I was referring to what I do,surely it is appropriate to use the term "I" ? .As for your suggestion that reference to a "base frig" (?) is not "in the topic",could I suggest that it most certainly is,as the need to level these ancient bits of equipment is well known,and would be one of the few reasons to bother messing around unhooking,and levelling the van.If ever I have to quickly move on from any place I've stopped, I simply turn off my water pumps (to minimise the loss of water from broken pipe fittings on dirt roads),lock my fridge door,close the van door,start the car, and away I go! No jockey wheel,no stabilizers,no water hoses,no power cable.Easy as! Cheers
P.S Checking tyre pressures,hitch point,shackles,electrical connections etc is done daily on my walk around the car and van,and I regularly check such things as U Bolts,springs,shocks,lights, etc etc.

-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 19th of November 2021 01:03:50 PM

Well, I'll weigh in here. When I roll out my swag I always ensure it's on a level bit of ground. Being an ancient bit of kit I've found it important so that I sleep ok. About as relevant as fridges to this discussion I guess. But surely nobody would use this discussion to put other members and their equipment down would they?

BTW, I have a Triton and it's doing a great job. Bloody economical and reliable. Also about as relevant as (ancient) fridges.

Rob Driver · Guru

KJB wrote:
Rob Driver wrote:
Brodie Allen wrote:
Rob Driver wrote:
If you have a van with a slide out you will have to disconnect the wiring loom from van to car to enable the slide out to be activated.

If this is the case you may stay hooked up just dont forget to reconnect the wiring loom plug to the car when you set off the next morning.
Absolutely not so.

I am on my second slide-out (wouldn't consider anything else)
and go for 6 months of the year away and don't disconnect anything.

the slide-out power supply is totally separate from the vehicle.
Gee, it has been indicated twice on this forum in the one week that I am lying.
Once from a bloke that just hadnt been out and about as much as he thought he had, and the second time by you who I hold absolutely no respect for at all after the vulgar and vile comments you made to my wife regarding deaths with Covid. Yes the post was deleted so it is my word against yours.
Back to the slide out.
Yes, the power supply to the slide out comes from the van battery
Lippert is an American company that made the slide out components in my van.
How it was explained to me is that they have a module in their system which is programable and have options for wiring. Some van manufacturers wire and set the Lippert System controller so that when power is coming from the tow vehicle the slide out WONT WORK.
It is a safety system that prevents the slide out sliding out while you are driving. I would think that using that function was a no brainer.
If your van manufacturer decided not to use that safety item then so be it, but that does not make me a liar, it makes you Ill informed or at the least, unlucky.
The OP may have that safety function or he may not, however, now he and others know that when they pull up for the night and while remaining connected to the car and their slide out wont operate, then they know to disconnect the van power connection to the car.
You need to put your brain in gear before you post mate.
The use of the word "may.." in the appropriate place in these Postings would have saved all of this arguing over nothing..... KB