{"id":3083,"date":"2018-05-15T08:00:06","date_gmt":"2018-05-14T20:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/?p=3083"},"modified":"2018-07-06T12:35:44","modified_gmt":"2018-07-06T00:35:44","slug":"caravan-coupling-broke-wheel-arch-pieces-found","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/travellingk.com\/caravan-coupling-broke-wheel-arch-pieces-found\/","title":{"rendered":"Caravan Coupling Broke & Wheel Arch Pieces Found"},"content":{"rendered":"

A few things have gone wrong with the caravan all at once. The tyre went flat and did some damage, then lots of little things broke like the exterior water lid<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Caravan Coupling Broke<\/h3>\n

Packing up the caravan to leave Feildings freedom camping site – the caravan coupling just would not<\/em> attach to the car! I lowered the coupling directly over the tow bar and it sat on top.<\/p>\n

After jiggling and pushing everything I could think of, I decided to try a little CRC under the coupling handle.<\/p>\n

Previously, when the coupling connection squealed while turning corners, I’d learnt NOT to grease the tow bar as there are friction pads in the UK coupling the can’t get grease on them. So I was very cautious about where I squirted the CRC.<\/p>\n

Lifting the coupling handle up and down, there was a loud ping<\/em>. I lowered the coupling onto the tow bar again and this time it slotted into place.<\/p>\n

I was hugely relieved that it was working again, as I wasn’t sure what to do if I couldn’t move the caravan! The park might have become my home for quite a while.<\/p>\n

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Check caravan is firmly attached to car tow bar<\/h5>\n

I did do a safety check to be sure the caravan was securely attached to the car. This involves lowering the caravan coupling onto the car tow bar, closing coupling handle, then winding up the jockey wheel to rise the caravan and car – checking it’s still firmly attached to the tow bar. The Trudgians<\/a> have a great video showing this safety check in more detail.<\/p>\n

What went wrong?<\/h5>\n

What do I think went wrong with the coupling? I think it became stiff with age. I think a spring or something HAS broken in the coupling. It use to show green below the coupling handle when it was attached to the tow bar. Now it flicks to red even though it’s firmly attached. I searched online and sounds like it is the safety indicator but it’s still safe to use.<\/p>\n

To be extra cautious, I have bought some new friction pads for a better connection to the tow bar and will be sure to check the coupling is firmly attached before towing.<\/p>\n

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Woodville Camping Area<\/h3>\n

My next stop was Woodville on the return loop.<\/p>\n

There are two reasons why I picked to stay at Woodville for two nights:<\/p>\n