 | Home > Modifications & Maintenance (L663) > Hitching on a caravan - any tips? |
 
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| Ritson Member Since: 11 Apr 2021 Location: France Posts: 179  
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Hi All
I've just picked up my new caravan and, as I suspected, its a bit of a nightmare hitching it on and taking it off because the spare wheel hangs directly over the hitch, making it extremely awkward to raise the Alko stabiliser high enough to subsequently raise the hitch lever to engage/disengage the tow ball. I can't open the rear door fully to gain easy access as it won't pass the jockey wheel. Has anyone out there come up with a solution? Cheers Current: MY22 P400e SE Prior: Discovery Sport HSE, Jaguar F-Type S, Discovery 3, RR Vogue |
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6th Jul 2024 11:51am |
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| Pitcaig Member Since: 06 Dec 2023 Location: Falkirk Posts: 15 
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Just remove the bolt from the stabiliser handle so that you can remove it. It then fits easily under the spare wheel.
Just slide the handle back on to either put the tension on or to remove the tension  Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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6th Jul 2024 7:41pm |
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| Ritson Member Since: 11 Apr 2021 Location: France Posts: 179
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Absolutely genius! I'd never have thought of that, thanks very much
 Current: MY22 P400e SE
Prior: Discovery Sport HSE, Jaguar F-Type S, Discovery 3, RR Vogue |
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6th Jul 2024 7:44pm |
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| LR Nuts Member Since: 10 Aug 2022 Location: UK Posts: 1002 
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If you have air suspension, use the two buttons in the load space.
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6th Jul 2024 8:01pm |
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| Ritson Member Since: 11 Apr 2021 Location: France Posts: 179
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Yes I have air suspension, but that doesn't change the height between the spare wheel and the tow bar unfortunately. Current: MY22 P400e SE
Prior: Discovery Sport HSE, Jaguar F-Type S, Discovery 3, RR Vogue |
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6th Jul 2024 8:06pm |
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| Gareth Member Since: 12 Dec 2011 Location: Bramhall Posts: 1074 
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Our Elddis has a BPW hitch with a long handle. I do it is as follows:
Open the rear door Reverse up to the caravan using the towing camera. The door doesn’t hit the caravan. Make sure the front locker is closed. Hitch the van to the car. Close the door Raise the jockey wheel and connect electrics and break away cable. To unhitch. Drop the jockey. Open the door. Unhitch the caravan. Roll the car or caravan apart Close the door. 2021 Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE D300 MHEV 1966 S2a 109 aka Betsy 1968 S2a 88 aka Bob 2014 Jaaaag F Type 3.0 Supercharged. |
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6th Jul 2024 9:20pm |
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| Ritson Member Since: 11 Apr 2021 Location: France Posts: 179
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Thanks Gareth. I'll try that approach but Im pretty sure no matter if my jockey wheel is fully lowered the door still hits the handle Current: MY22 P400e SE
Prior: Discovery Sport HSE, Jaguar F-Type S, Discovery 3, RR Vogue |
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6th Jul 2024 9:37pm |
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| Huwrhys Member Since: 27 Mar 2024 Location: Hornchurch Posts: 131 
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I had a hell of a job removing the ALKO black plastic handle from my 8 year old Vanmaster. I ended up cutting it off. I managed to get the push on ALKO handle from a guy on here for less than the cost of replacing the plastic bit.
Click image to enlarge 24MY D300 130 X-Dynamic HSE Santorini Black |
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8th Jul 2024 7:40am |
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| Pitcaig Member Since: 06 Dec 2023 Location: Falkirk Posts: 15
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Okay.
Once I had taken the bolt out mines just slid off. I’ve got to remember to remove it when I’m towing so it doesn’t fall off and get lost. I did try the reversing back with the door open but that only works if you can go straight back. If you go at an angle so you are pointing right the door can hit the caravan. Also it didn’t work for me as I have the dog in the back most times and I can’t trust her to not try and jump out. So for me removing the handle works the best. Cheers Click image to enlarge |
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8th Jul 2024 8:18am |
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| Ritson Member Since: 11 Apr 2021 Location: France Posts: 179
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That seems an ideal solution, but I can't find one for sale on the internet anywhere  Current: MY22 P400e SE
Prior: Discovery Sport HSE, Jaguar F-Type S, Discovery 3, RR Vogue |
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8th Jul 2024 10:03am |
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| Huwrhys Member Since: 27 Mar 2024 Location: Hornchurch Posts: 131
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/1490875485...188515430/
Found this but not sure if it's there still. May be worth a punt. Also worth calling some caravan suppliers to see if they hold old stock. I looked for new initially and did find one but it was £75. I then found one on here thankfully. Part number is ALKO 1287287. 24MY D300 130 X-Dynamic HSE Santorini Black |
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8th Jul 2024 10:37am |
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| Ritson Member Since: 11 Apr 2021 Location: France Posts: 179
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Thanks
I'll try some of the caravan dealers here in France but it looks like its a discontinued part. Fingers crossed the method of backing up the car with the door open will work, will try as soon as I go up to the caravan storage. Cheers Current: MY22 P400e SE Prior: Discovery Sport HSE, Jaguar F-Type S, Discovery 3, RR Vogue |
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8th Jul 2024 11:09am |
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| lightning Member Since: 23 Apr 2009 Location: High Peak, Derbyshire Posts: 2558
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Why not try what l suggested above. No need to remove the handle.
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9th Jul 2024 9:14am |
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| Ritson Member Since: 11 Apr 2021 Location: France Posts: 179
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Hi Lightning
I will try your method once I go back to where the caravan is in storage. However, I'm pretty sure even with the jockey wheel fully wound up, then lowered the handle still catches the door, lets hope I'm wrong as it would be a lot easier if this method works Cheers Current: MY22 P400e SE Prior: Discovery Sport HSE, Jaguar F-Type S, Discovery 3, RR Vogue |
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9th Jul 2024 9:38am |
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