RV FEATURE
TRAILER PLUG CHECK
Most vehicles’ trailer connection
is out in the weather (usually
attached to or near the towbar)
and connections can corrode
and fail. Unscrew the plug from
the vehicle and disassemble
the plug (most have a two-
piece cover that are either
screwed together or clipped
together and secured by a
threaded collar).
If wires are corroded, remove
them and clean them up, or
cut back the wires (as little as
possible) and replace the plug
with a new one. Test that the
plug works by plugging in
the caravan and testing its
lights. If they don’t, you may
have a problem with either
the caravan or vehicle plug.
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The most common problem
is actually closed up pins in
the trailer plug, or corroded
connections within the
trailer plug.
FLUID CHECK
Check engine oil, power
steering fluid, brake fluid,
auto transmission fluid and
coolant levels. Look for
broken or loose components
under the bonnet and under
the vehicle, and also inspect
for leaks. Water dripping
from an air conditioning
drain is normal, but if you
see components wet with
oil or oil dripping, get the
problem attended to now
before it becomes a bigger
problem out on the road.
LIGHTS CHECK
Just as you’d check the
van’s lights for proper
operation, you should check
your vehicle’s. A problem
might not be as simple as
a failed globe; if the brake
switch has failed, for example,
the trailer brake lights won’t
work, either.
Because electric trailer
brakes are activated by
the tow vehicle’s brake
light switch, they will also
be inoperative.
If you don’t have a helper
to give a thumbs up that
the vehicle’s lights all work,
backing up to a wall in the
dark will help you see from the
driver’s seat if the tail lights
are working or not.