Before Pack up & secure the van · 17 checks
- 240V / mains electrical lead disconnected
- Water supply hose disconnected
- Drainage hose disconnected
- Door closed & locked
- All windows & hatches locked
- Entry step retracted or stored
- All lights operating correctly
- Roll-out awning stored & locked in travel position
- TV antenna / satellite dish securely stored
- Pop top / roof clamps fully closed & secure
- All cupboard doors securely closed & latched
- Refrigerator door lock secured
- All loose items contained & secured, nothing free to move during travel
- All loose items on floor secured or stored away
- All blinds in the OPEN position
- TV removed from mount & placed safely on floor or in storage
- All interior doors secured in travel position
Depart Hitch up & final checks before you roll · 16 checks
- Wheel nuts checked & torqued to spec (recheck every 100km for first 400km, then every 1,000km)
- Water tank filled & locking cap secured
- Gas cylinders turned OFF & secured
- Electric brakes working
- Jockey wheel removed & stored or locked in travel position
- Front & rear corner stabilisers in UP position
- Handbrake fully released
- 240V / mains electrical lead disconnected
- 12V power lead correctly connected (lights)
- Towing aids / level rides correctly connected & adjusted
- Rear vision mirrors on tow vehicle correctly adjusted
- Safety chains correctly attached to tow vehicle
- All road safety lamps operating correctly from tow vehicle
- Anderson plug connected & secured to tow vehicle
- Breakaway cable & emergency brake mechanism connected & secured
- Coupling correctly seated, handle DOWN in correct position
En Route First stop & periodic road checks · 16 checks
- First stop: pull over & visually confirm coupling is still seated correctly on ball
- First stop: safety chains still secure, not dragging or loose
- First stop: all lights operating correctly (brake, indicator, running lights)
- First stop: tyres visually OK, no obvious pressure loss or sidewall bulge
- First stop: awning still locked in travel position
- First stop: no unusual sounds, vibrations or rattles from the van
- First stop: rear vision mirrors still correctly adjusted
- First stop: Anderson plug & 12V lead still connected securely
- First stop: wheel nut torque recheck after 100km
- First stop: load still secure, no shifting noticed so far
- Periodic: couplings & chains still securely fastened
- Periodic: brakes & wheel bearings not overheating (compare to tow vehicle brakes)
- Periodic: light connections still secure, all lights working
- Periodic: tyres still sufficiently inflated
- Periodic: load still secure
- Periodic: roll-out awning properly locked in travel position
Arrival Set up camp · 12 checks
- Level the caravan (use app or spirit level)
- Place wheel chocks
- Deploy corner stabilisers
- Lower & secure jockey wheel
- Connect 240V / mains power lead
- Connect water supply / fill water tank
- Turn on gas & check connections
- Set up TV antenna / satellite dish
- Roll out awning (if weather permits)
- Check fridge is running on correct power source
- Set up outdoor furniture / mats
- Check level, adjust if needed
Prefer it on your phone?
Ready To Tow walks you through every check, resets for each trip, works offline and needs no sign-up. Save your rig, log trips and services, and add your own checks. iPhone now, Android coming soon.
Get Ready To Tow freeHitching up for the first time?
- Do the checks in the same order every time. Most towing mistakes are a skipped step, not a lack of skill.
- Recheck wheel nuts after the first 100 km. New or recently refitted wheels can settle.
- Walk around the whole rig once more before you drive off: jockey wheel, stabilisers, step, awning, chains, lights.
- Stop again 10 to 20 minutes into the trip and check the coupling, chains, lights and tyres.
General guide only. Always follow your tow vehicle, caravan and coupling manufacturer instructions and your local road rules.