I am very new to this site, but just wondered....I have a new (to me) caravan and I am going away in it tomorrow my concern is reversing. I am not brilliant at reversing a caravan, I can do it, but I need time and space. As a woman on my own (well with a young son) will people assist me to reverse and also are the pitches very tight for getting a 2 berth caravan into?
Welcome to this site and the world of caravaning! I imagine you are excited and as nervous as I was only a couple of months ago when I first towed (and parked our new to us) caravan.
Firstly - I am happy to pass on the best advice I got from this site - take your time - as much as you need.
If you have a 2 berth your van is probably around 20-24 foot; most pitches are 26foot long. Your van will be no more than 7' 2" wide - most pitches are made to be wide enough to take your car, van and awning sideways - plenty of room then.
Once on site - people will watch you parking up (and yes have a smile or two) I am sure I had one site in fits of laughter on my first attmept at reversing - but sure enough after a while someone came along and offered helpful advice - thank you whoever you were!
If you look like you need help someone will come to your aid - since we changed over from a campervan to caravan I can honestly say I have never met more friendly people who are willing to help, but dont want to jump in to quickly in case they cause offence.
Dont be afraid to tell people its your first time - honestly most people will fall over themselves to help!
Depends which site you are on for tightness, officially there should be 6 metres between caravans but some sites have been known to ignore this.
Help may be forthcoming but sometimes may not be helpful as many caravanners now rely so much on motor movers they haven't a clue how to reverse their own outfits let alone help anyone with directions.
Take it slowly, get out if you have to to see where the back end is, drive forwards if necessary before reversing again, most importantly don't give up - after a few trips you'll be reversing like a pro
------------- Caravanning is a way of getting a cheap holiday out of an expensive hobby
Hi Hippygoddess, Welcome to the forum, No the pitches are a good size with good clearance on both sides of pitches, When you book in to your site, if the warden dose not show you to it, tell him this is your first time in a caravan and can he assist you to reverse onto pitch as you are on own, He will be very helpful and assist you, if he is not around at time(other duties) ask for help from any caravaner they will only be to greatful in helping you with your manuver,and you may not get to set up by your self,as they will be glad to help fellow caravaners. good luck, enjoy your stay, and dont be afraid to ask for help or advice from them.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
Thanks for the very prompt answers! I have towed before - a trailer recently and a caravan a long while ago, and I am ashamed to admit I have done that thing of standing like a girly looking lost, or trying so badly that people feel they must help!!!!
I have practised with my trailer on the insistance of a close friend but suddenly I feel very alone and slightly nervous of getting to a pitch and knowing I have to do it right!
Ta
Since you haven't got time to take brians advice & go to a local trading estate for a play, just take your time & don't panic about reversing. Chances are you'll be able to drive straight onto your pitch when you get to it. There's always a few about who want to help anyway so you'll be fine.
If all else fails....if there's no steep bits try unhooking the van and pushing it into place. It does help to have one other set of hands for this though.
Hi Hippg. Don't worry i'll be surprised if someone won't help you out if you need it, my wife gets hacked off because blokes usually try to `assist' whether she wants help or not.
Make sure you do practice when you get back - somehwere like suggested earlier. & you'll get the hang of it. There's lots of blokes like to make out like it's some mysterious gift that comes with testosterone - bo**ocks ! Ignore them. I love to see women driving stonkin great horseboxes and towing their own vans. Missus tells me I'm wasted as a man - not sure if it's a compliment tho...
Oh believe me I can reverse with the best of them and I am normally at the front of the que for coping on my own (I have to in my life) and I am not at all scared of driving the caravan forward......I just don't want to be reversing it backwards with an adoring crowd of laughing onlookers - and feminists be damned if some tostesterone filled human being thinks they can do a better job than me, then please do, cause it saves me doing it!!!!
best to drive around the site and straight onto a pitch ...there is always someone to help ..just don't be afraid to ask ..some clever spark will show you the really easy way ..unhitch and push it back onto your pitch as it's a 2 single axle it should be no problem good luck ..and welcome to the forum by the way ..
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Topic: Reversing
