My folks are pondering caravanning but my old fella is petrified at the thought of towing, I've only had my van for a couple of years but am absolutely loving the whole experience, I'm desperately trying to convince them to get a 2 berth van as i'm sure they'll love the whole caravanning way of life.
I've suggested that my dad tows my van to see how he gets on which he's agreed to so hopefully in the next few weeks he'll get behind the wheel and see for himself that there's nothing to worry about.
I too have only been towing for a couple of years and really enjoy it.
I would recommend doing the towing course with one of the main Clubs to gain confidence. I have a good "tug" and a well matched and balanced outfit and hardly notice I have a van in tow (except when I look in the rear view mirror!).
Your offer of a try with your outfit is a good one, depending on his car I would also advise to consider alight 4 berth. It is just myself and my OH and we viewed both two and four berths and are very glad we went for the 4 berth, especially on the longer trips.
Must admit, I was terrified of towing before I did it. OH still usually does most of it but I'm fine with it now & ours is a 24' van. It's just the manoevering bits we're not so good at so we're going on a CC course. Maybe your Dad would feel more confident if he did a course too?
If he gets a small 2 berth I'm sure he'll manage just fine. Won't even notice its on the back. Once they get one they'll wish they had one years ago. We have never seen so much of the UK as we have since getting the van. Don't know what we'd do without ours. Looking forward to our first trip out in it in two weeks.
The other thing to consider would be a small motorhome. That might be easier for him to manage.
The CC course is worth every penny it costs. The wife came along with me but had no intention of doing anything. Doesn't like to drive big cars so had never driven our 4x4. She was coming along really for the weekend away in the van and chatty side of the course. Anyway, the instructor asked her to get in the car and drive the caravan backwards in a straight line. She refused. "I don't want to do...I've never driven the car...anyway hubby does all the driving and towing etc etc etc . Instructor just ignored her and told her, nicely, to get in the car and do it. So she did...straight back.... no worries. Then in between bollards without hitting anything. Then reversing into gateways to the right and then to the left...no worries. They made it just so simple. From can't..won't.... never....don't want to...never will...to proficient in less than five minutes. Its so simple when they show you how to do it.
Dad will enjoy the weekend (nothing serious just a fun weekend away) and if towing is his only reservation then that will just disappear over the weekend. Sign him up.....
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Steve, I aplaud you for taking a very responsible atitude in offering father your van to have a go. I'm sure he'll love it but don't pressure him and try to chivvy him up, let him do it in his own time. Get him to read some of the postings on this site and I'm sure he'll have a crack with positive results..............Mick
my parents got their first van when they were in their seventies,,,well my mum is, step dad is late sixties, this was following having a weekend with us and they have a beautiful two berth, they have never looked back, we have had some wondeful weekends away together, i also tow our 6 berth van and LOVE it!!! good luck hope they really really fall in love with caravanning
------------- wishing everyone,,,,what you would wish for yourselves x
We did the CC course - couldn't recommend it highly enough. apart from the manoeuvring there is all sorts of practical advice that otherwise we wouldn't have known about! Best £190 we've spent. We both did it and it was great.
I'm on the same learning curve here. Car and van, but never towed even a trailer in my life. There are a few video how-to's on the caravan channel/u-tube which are pretty informative. I'll be off for a run with mine soon (just around the block then around the village, etc) and I'm just hoping it goes ok. It's a very lightweight van anyway, my Dad (at 81) is showing me (at 50) how to!! LOL!
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: Parents pondering caravanning
