Any Idea where I can get some pointers before I venture out onto the highway for the first time. Reading and researching is one thing doing is another. I predict there will be many experts who will be only too willing to advise me after the event. Even half an hour with an experienced driver would make me feel more secure.
Am I worrying too much?
------------- Camping because I am cheap! Now I have to make up for it with a caravan
Both the Caravan Club and Camping and Caravanning Club offer towing courses for members. I think the details are on their websites. I know several people on here have done them. I'm sure someone will be along shortly with their experiences of them.
I did a Caravan Club one, too, and it was brilliant, really gives you confidence. I think it was £85 when I did it and was definitely money well spent. I imagine the C&CC one would be the same but the CC's one was local.
Quote: Originally posted by nands on 27/4/2009
Both the Caravan Club and Camping and Caravanning Club offer towing courses for members. I think the details are on their websites. I know several people on here have done them. I'm sure someone will be along shortly with their experiences of them.
You don't have to be a member to do the course, my husband did
the 1 day course through the Caravan Club and we weren't a member at
the time. He said it was really good, and would def. recommend it.
We've yet to do a full manouvering course, but we went to the caravan & camping show in Birmingham last October & both C&CC and CC were doing taster sessions. We (accidentally as members of C&CC) did the CC towing test drive & manouvre & the instructor was fantastic - I even learnt enough to reverse the 'van into its space in storage without hitting anything.
Everyone kept offering us advice on how to reverse with a 'van on the back, but they instructor made it easy - he said......
'line the towing mirrors so that the outer edge of each side of the van is in the middle of the mirror. If reversing in a straight line, if a mirror fills with the caravan, then turn towards that mirror'
Sure as hell saves all that worrying about turning in the opposite direction of travel & such & works a blooming treat!! was well chuffed as had never even driven with the 'van on the back - hubby does the towing, though after his last debacle, this is under review!! (busted 2 'van windows on a road he shouldn't have been on anyway), yet reversed into the space spot on 1st time - mind you, not sure if I could reverse into a camping place unless I could go in a straight line!!!
Still going to do the 1 day course with C&CC when funds allow though as we need some more help - thank god the C&CC staff help to push 'vans to the pitch if you're rubbish at reversing!! though how we'll manage in June is up to father in law - not a club site but he has an HGV license, so he can put us onto our pitch - it is his choice of site after all!!!
------------- Bringing up baby to be a seasoned caravanner - we bought one to holiday cheaply - working well so far - & caravanners are lovely - helped us on our virgin voyage & our awning!!!
The mirrors I was referring to were the towing mirrors, not the car wing mirrors, though am sure you'd worked that out!!
As for the repairs, a father who is an engineer & a FIL who is a mechanic with lots of self taught expertise in 'van maintenance (taught himself, so is great now he's made all the mistakes!!) the repairs only cost £130 for windows but HUGE amounts in beer as a thankyou!!! (still cheaper than getting the local company to do it!!)
As for me doing the driving - MMmmmmmm - you may be on to something there, but you men reckon us women can't drive - imagine the response I'd get when I jumped out of the drivers seat - anyhoo - I am far to impatient with numpty drivers - hubby is far more forgiving - I may be able to reverse in a straight line, but I like my face, as unpleasant as it may be to others, as it is - don't want it bruised & battered 'cos of my crap towing & general intolerance of the appalling driving standards on the road - ooh - I got my DL before 1990, so no problems there!!
Best of luck to you buddy, many happy years of 'vanning ahead xx
------------- Bringing up baby to be a seasoned caravanner - we bought one to holiday cheaply - working well so far - & caravanners are lovely - helped us on our virgin voyage & our awning!!!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Towing Lessons
(still cheaper than getting the local company to do it!!)
