Beginners caravanning: pre-departure checks (load, tyres & hitching)
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Before you head off on your adventure, taking a few minutes to carry out some basic pre-departure checks can make all the difference.
Making sure your caravan is correctly loaded, your tyres are in good condition, and your hitch is properly connected helps prevent avoidable issues on the road - keeping your journey safe, smooth and stress-free.
Loading your caravan safely
Correctly loading your caravan is essential. Poor weight distribution can lead to instability when towing, affect braking or steering, and may even cause swaying on the road.
Understanding weight distribution in your Swift caravan
- Secure all loose items and ensure lockers, cupboards and windows are closed
- Load heavy items at floor level and as close to the caravan axle as possible
- Spread medium-weight items evenly across the floor
- Store lighter items in overhead lockers
It’s also crucial to stay within your caravan's Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM) - the maximum allowable weight when fully loaded. This includes everything inside, from food and water to gas bottles and personal belongings. You can find your caravan’s MTPLM in your Swift handbook. Overloading can lead to fines, affect handling, and even invalidate your insurance.
Checking caravan tyres
Tyres are often overlooked, but they play a vital role in towing safely. Here’s what to check:
- Tyre pressures - Use a pressure gauge to check all tyres (including the spare if you have one) match the PSI or bar recommended in your owner’s manual
- Tread depth - Ensure it’s at least the legal minimum of 1.6mm. More is safer, especially in wet conditions
- Visual condition - Look out for cracks, bulges, or embedded objects like stones or nails. If in doubt, get a professional check before travelling
"A quick pre-departure check isn’t just a good habit - it's essential when it comes to towing safely. It’s about making sure your load is secure, your tyres are in good shape, and your hitch is properly connected. Skipping it could mean serious trouble - but spending a few minutes upfront can keep everyone safe on the road."
Jo Mitchell, Marketing Director at Swift
Hitching up your caravan
Before hitching
- Inspect the towball - It should be clean, rust-free and undamaged
- Check height - The caravan hitch head should be slightly higher than the towball before connecting
- Position your car - Carefully reverse so the towball lines up with the hitch head
- Release the caravan handbrake and use the front grab handle to manoeuvre the caravan into place
Connecting the hitch
- Reapply the handbrake
- Lift the small black handle on the hitch head
- Lower the jockey wheel until the hitch head securely engages with the towball - the black handle will automatically snap down when properly connected
- Push down the main stabiliser handle - it should click and lock into place
- Check for a green indicator on the hitch head, confirming a correct connection
How to hitch Your Swift caravan
Final steps before towing
- Attach the breakaway cable - loop it over a dedicated point on the towbar. This cable will engage the caravan’s handbrake if it becomes detached from the car
- Raise and stow the jockey wheel
- Release the handbrake
- Connect the 13-pin plug to the socket near the towball - turn 90° until you hear or feel a click
- Check all road lights are working - including indicators, brake lights, and rear lights
Ready to go
Hitching up and performing these safety checks might seem a bit daunting at first, but with practice it will soon become second nature. Taking a few minutes before every journey helps ensure a safe start - and lets you enjoy the adventure ahead with complete peace of mind.