I decided to have a weeks break on my own with the dog at Grin Low and a lady well into her sixties pulled up towing a caravan and I just sat and watched in awe how she coped on her own to get her 5 berth van into the exact spot first time and set up everything without one scratch of the head. I must admit she made me feel inadequate as my husband had to take me and set me up for the week and then come and bring me back. So next time I am gonna take the plunge and take myself and feel less inadequate. How many other ladies leave all the towing to our OH.
The wife will only tow after sinking 8 pints of stella no more no less.She says it gives her confidence but i think she just uses it as an excuse to get mullered.
------------- Those that danced were thought to be quite insane to those who could not hear the music. Angela Monet
Hats off to the Lady! We witnesses a similar aged lady arrive on the Sandringham CC site on her own, then proceed to knock on the windows of neighbouring vans asking for someone to set her van up for her, which included the putting up of a full awning.
One man did start to help her, but drew the line at reversing her car and van into position for her saying he wasnt insured to do so, to which she then toddles off to find one of the sites wardens to do the task for her. The poor warden then spent the best part of 2 hours setting up the van, fetching water, putting up the awning and fiddling with a faulty water pump.
Whilst i wouldnt mind the caravanning alone part if i was fit enough, I think i would hesitate if i had to rely on others so much on site for so much of my hobbies needs. The same lady appeared to be using the caravans own full facilities, we never spotted her nipping over to the toilet block once, so we can only wonder who she raked into emptying her cassette toilet for her when it required it, Yuk!
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
If she was in her 60s I guess she had plenty of experience, so knew what she was doing. No shame in seeking help tho. My help is always offered on the basis that they learn from me tho.
Wow puts me to shame too I'm 35 and can just about manage mine (although I have only towed once so far ) I guess alot of it comes with experience I don't have a significant other to help with any of it, it's just me and my 3 kids
------------- Vid walkthrough of my Aztec Cantera 12 tent *Click Me*
Video of my folding caravan *Click Me*
Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 13/6/2010
If she was in her 60s I guess she had plenty of experience, so knew what she was doing. No shame in seeking help tho. My help is always offered on the basis that they learn from me tho.
Not necessarily, Tentz, I'm in my 60s and have only been towing for 2 years - out of necessity. I'm not as good as I'd like at reversing onto a pitch, but have the mover to fall back on. I've got setting up down to a fine art now and actually prefer to do it on my own if I can. The problem I have is that, on leaving, I always forget to do one thing - sometimes the breakaway cable, so I then have to stop on the road and do it, yesterday it was the jockey wheel, which I've never forgotten before. Fortunately someone noticed as I pulled away.
I am ashamed to say that I have never towed on the road before. I have towed the caravan across the campsite but that is as far I've got. TBH I don't feel confident to drive on the road with it let alone reverse it, therefore leave it to my OH. Maybe I should consider taking towing lessons.
Its best for women to know we are good for some things.......
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
What I was picking up on was the suprise expressed that a 60yr old woman could manoeuvre a caravan when a 60yr old man doing the same would not have warranted comment. She may well have had an agricultural or truck driving background.
My OH tows, she loves driving, she's a terrible passenger so leave all the driving to her, She tows it on her own sometimes and I follow along with the kids later on.
I did tow a few times when we first started with a much lighter and smaller van and car and we both did the manoevering course, but I would like to do my b and e test as our current car and van is over the weight so I could tow it somewhere with the kids and dogs and she could come straight from work but there is no way I would start driving her around with the van on the back, would cause to many arguments, I know my place and thats the passenger seat!
I think a lot of blokes just assume its there job, My dad is typical of this and cannot understand that Nedra drives and tows (despite the fact she drives buses and coaches) he thinks its a mans job (along with emptying the loo and filling the aquaroll) , despite the fact my mum would be more than capable and she cannot read a map to save her life., there journeys would be far less stressful if she drove and he map read,(I''ve witnessed him snatching the map off her while driving and carrying on with it on the steering wheel!!!!) but he told me there is no way he would let mum loose with a caravan (he says it would be like giving a gun to a monkey) , silly fool.
------------- Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
my mate tows all the time, picture the scene, 50 something female, 5' tall, Kia sorento with a blinking great compass rallye on the back. the numpty got lost in perth and ended up towing round the 1 way system. her attitude if a bus fits down a road her rig will fit. get in there !!!
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: What a Woman
I'm 35 and can just about manage mine (although I have only towed once so far 
) I guess alot of it comes with experience 
I don't have a significant other to help with any of it, it's just me and my 3 kids 
