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I would be surprised (and worried) if any new caravanner were confident from the very first tow.

Mr Ulti-mates oozes confidence on the road normally, but was very apprehensive about pulling our investment along behind him.  He practiced in his company car park (out of hours!) and then took one of the club courses which he found very helpful.  Even with a motor mover it was only a matter of time before he needed to reverse the van in a services and then in a narrow lane - not really convenient to unhitch and motor-move it in these situations!

For the first few outings, I felt very dubious about whether we could relax enough to enjoy caravanning - other than when it was pitched.  However, I am pleased to say that one year on, the stress and apprehension has subsided considerably.

Initially, we chose sites which were very close to motorway junctions (to avoid cross country routes).  Now, we take it as it comes.  The only situation that has our knuckles turning white now are the small English market towns - very narrow, with tight turns and choked with cars and delivery trucks.  I shut my eyes as we pass through - I only hope Mr Ulti-mates doesn't do the same.  He tries to assure me that if its wide enough for the car's towing mirrors to get through, then the van should follow without touching the sides.

Now we're bracing ourselves to start getting it on and off the ferry!

I still make the occasional pigs ear of it if I dont concentrate and get over confident but the best thing to do is nice and slow and if its not right straighten it out and have another bash even the experts are not always happy with the first attempt and like to do little adjustments and if all else fails take the advice of an old caravanning neighbour of ours when we first started. Get everbody out of the vehicle. look at the car, look at the van, look at the pitch, look confused and wait for the rush of assistance from your fellow caravaners, this works with all aspects of pitching whether it be awnings or fittings.

Gowser

 I am one of the rare ones that was full of confidence first time I ever towed. When the wife and I first got together, the first thing we ever bought together was a caravan. She towed it from the caravan place. I knew it must be easy if the wife could do it . The wife had been towing for years before we got together and her mother had been towing for about 30 years at the time. I just took it easy to start with, building up speed as we went along. I have noticed that the larger the trailer, the easier it is to reverse. It comes into view earlier whilst turning.

 Just take it easy to start with, remember that you have more weight for braking, take corners wider and have fun. It is not as hard as it looks.

The first time I ever towed, many years ago, I decided to take the rig into a major city and drive around many streets. It worked. When I finished I had every confidence. My wife is still shaking though. The city was Edinburgh.

Have fun.

I dont mind towing at all, I was driving tractor and trailers reversing aswell when I was 13.

The one thing that does occasionally catch me out is trucks or large coaches side swiping me, was very scary the first time it happened,

I normally keep a constant look in my mirrors and if I see one approaching I move in the the white line to give more room, but after driving for a while I am not as vigilent in my mirrors and now and again ahve been taken by suprise!!

And it is pretty scary!!

Must admit though since moving up to a people carrier, its a lot more stable when large vehicles pass me

We have had the caravan since november but I still have not towed it. I have had no need to yet and have not got the stabiliser bracket fitted to the car as yet.

I think I am more nervous on hitching the caravan up to the car correctly.

We have our first trip booked in April so hopefully will get out with caravan prior to this for practice towing.

We have also upgraded from a 1.6 Zafira to a 2.2 Vectra for my piece of mind with the maximun towing weight as we were going to restricted to a low maximun towing weight with the Zafira.

hi ya, bought a caravan a few months ago and  have only drove it from the dealer to my home,about 15 miles (in town), not towed before and have not had chance to use it yet.

im not worried about the towing but more concered about the setting up of the nosewight etc.

im looking forward to when i get time to use it and for the towing, well ihope so as we have booked two weeks in the south of france in the summer( 700ish miles ) so better get some practice in i think.

steve