Hitching Up

An assistant can help in the hitching operation by standing on the left hand side of the drawbar (facing rear of car) and extending an arm horizontally to indicate position of the coupling.
When reversing aim the tow ball of the car directly at the caravan drawbar.

Remove tow ball cover and keep in car.
Adjust the jockey wheel to ensure the hitch head is high enough to slide over the tow ball

AKS 3004 Hitch Head

Release the caravan handbrake and manoeuvre the hitch head over the ungreased tow ball and re-apply the handbrake.

Lift forward the large stabiliser handle (Fig. A) lift forward the exposed smaller handle (Fig. A) until it clicks up.

Adjust jockey wheel to lower the hitch head onto the ball. A click indicates it is fully engaged.
Ensure the smaller handle has returned to its free position.
Firmly push down the large stabiliser handle to engage the friction pads. (Fig B)
The hitch head is fitted with a visual indicator to show whether or not it is properly connected to the tow ball.

A green band will show immediately below the red indicator button on the hitch head when a proper connection has been made. (See Fig. C)

WARNING: If the green band is not visible it is not safe to tow the caravan. Contact your dealer for advice

Ensure that the jockey wheel is fully wound up and properly located in the slots in the jockey wheel tube, then release the clamp handle, lift the whole unit as high as possible ensuring the wheel is pointing directly backwards and retighten the clamp handle.

CAUTION: Ensure jockey wheel locates in the recess provided. Carelessness could result in damage to the A-frame cover.

WARNING: If the green band is showing when the hitch head is not connected to the tow ball (figure C) there is a fault - contact your Dealer. Do not tow the caravan.

Breakaway Cables
UK law requires that all caravans are fitted with a safety device to provide protection in the unlikely event of separation of the main coupling while in motion. A device referred to as a ‘breakaway cable’ fulfils this requirement and when fitted on your caravan its use is mandatory.

Purpose
To apply the caravans brakes if it becomes separated from its towing vehicle. Having done this, the cable assembly is designed to part allowing the caravan to come to a halt away from the towing vehicle.

A thin steel cable with a red plastic coating fitted with a means of attachment for connection to the towing vehicle. Located directly beneath the coupling head.

Operation
In the event of the main coupling of the caravan separating from the towing vehicle, the cable should be able to pull tight, without any hindrance, engaging the caravan brakes.
The breakaway cable should not become taut during normal driving.
Correct procedure for use Regularly check the cable and clip for damage.

If in doubt contact your Swift Group dealer.
Make sure the cable runs as straight as possible and goes through the cable guide fitted underneath the caravan coupling head.

Determine whether or not the towing vehicle tow bar has a designated attachment point (i.e. a part specifically designated for a breakaway cable).

Where a point is designated on the towbar:
• Either pass the cable through the attachment point and clip it back on itself (Fig 1) or

• Attach it directly to the designated point (Fig 2).

Where there is no designated attachment point on the tow bar loop the cable around the neck of the tow ball in a single loop only.

See figure 3a and 3b.

In some instances it may be possible to attach the cable assembly either to a permanent part of the tow bar structure, as long as this meets the approval of the tow bar manufacturer/supplier, or to an accessory sold for the specific purpose of breakaway cable attachment.

CAUTION: For vehicles fitted with detachable tow bars, guidance must be sought from the tow bar manufacture/supplier on the correct method for attaching the breakaway cable.

When the breakaway cable is attached it must not snag in use on the caravan coupling head, jockey wheel or any accessories, e.g. a stabliser, bumper shield, cycle carrier, etc.

There should also be sufficient slack in the cable to allow the towing vehicle and caravan to articulate fully
without applying tension to the cable which could otherwise cause the caravan brakes to be inadvertently applied.
The cable must not be allowed to drag on the ground. If there is too much slack, the cable might drag on the ground and be weakened so that it has insufficient strength to apply the brakes in the event of the caravan becoming detached when in motion.

Excess slack may also lead to the cable being caught on an obstacle when in motion, leading to inadvertent application of the caravan brakes.
Care must be also taken to ensure that the cable cannot be entangled with the electrical cables.