We all know the excitement of an upcoming Jayco caravan adventure holiday, but maybe you dread the thought of getting ready? Do not despair, in this article we give you some detailed advice on how to prepare with tips from our expert team. Don’t forget to download our ⇒Pre Hook Up checklist ⇒ before you head off.
Fridge
What’s more important than food on your holiday? It’s essential to get your fridge up to temperature (or down to temperate) before you hit the road. The 12v side of a three way fridge will maintain the cold but it has a hard time getting it to the right temperature. Before taking off on his family holidays our service advisor Wayne make sure he connects up his fridge 48 hours ahead, he says ‘this gives the refrigerator time to cool down and start cycling and if you are having a trouble with operator error you have time to get Jayco AW to lend a hand’.
Tyres
Making sure your tyre pressures are right means smoother and safer towing and improved tyre wear and handling.
Each Jayco caravan maximum tyre pressures are different. Recommended tyre pressures can be found on the Jayco compliance plate. (TYRE PRESSURE COLD MAX LOADING indicated in KPA). Click ⇒here⇒ for help on where to find your compliance plate.
Tow Bar/Hitch
First and foremost, try not to walk into your tow bar, that really hurts! Secondly, make sure it is connected properly, this means ensuring the tow bar tongue is properly secured with humpback clip, lynch pin or locking pin.
Brakes
It’s always much easier to tow your van when the brakes are off! Before you take the van hand brake off make sure your vehicle brake in engaged, we don’t need a Benny Hill moment.
Vehicle Tow Mirrors
Vision is everything when you’re on the road and even more so when backing your van into a tricky spot at the caravan park with everyone watching! Before you take off, make sure your towing mirrors are properly secured. And of course, making sure your mirrors and mounting clamps are in good condition.
Pre-Hook Up Check List
Our Service Manager Grant has created this pre-hook up checklist listing out what to check before you go on your next Jayco caravan holiday. You can download the list in ⇒pdf here⇒.
- Gas Bottle – Turned off
- Coupling – Locked on
- Bow ‘D’ Shackles (Chains) – Secured
- Brake Away / Brake Safe Cable – Secured
- Trailer Plug – Plugged In
- Anderson plug / Camera – Plugged In
- Remove Jockey Wheel – Store in Van or Vehicle
- Roof Clamps – Locked down
- Awning – Tighten Awning Knobs & Awning Switch in Closed Position
- Window Shield, Windows – Shut / Locked
- Boot / Access Doors – Shut / Locked
- TV Antenna Down / Skylights Down
- Wheel Nuts – Torqued to Specification – Torqued again after 50km of travel
- Check Rear Lights – Indicators / Tail lights / Brake lights
- Vehicle Tow Mirrors – Secured or Extended
- Vehicle Handbrake On / Van Handbrake Off
Remember this is a Preliminary check list only. You may be required to perform more checks. For example, WDS secure, Bicycles secure, Power and Water Disconnected, ETC.
Owners are solely responsible for the safe transportation of their van. Failure to perform checks and correct hook up procedure may result in loss of parts or damage to the van.