Hi
At last we have secured the purchase of a caravan and are going to pick it up this week.
We have never towed a caravan before so tips would be much appreciated.
We have watched UTube Caravan Club to show how to safely hitch and unhitch. We have checked weights for towing.
(We are using Toyota Granvia 3 litre which we have this week had a new tow bar fitted).
If it saves you all typing time can you give me links where to find articles about how to pack a caravan?
Weights in the caravan, how to store items like crockery, etc. Sounds daft but I don't know how "strict" to be.
We want to be safe and sensible caravanners, and the first trip will be from Devon to Worcestershire so a bit of a baptism of fire !!!
Mostly motorway so if we take it slowly majority of journey not too complicated.
I am slightly nervous and don't want to wind the OH up!!
Can anyone give us any tips please to make is a safe, relatively stress free first trip?
When towing, take it slowly and remember to take corners wider and allow for the extra width and length. It takes longer to get going and longer to stop, so you need a bigger gap when pulling out and allow more distance between your outfit and the vehicle in front. Slow down earlier for junctions roundabouts etc.
Relax and enjoy it!
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
How old are the tyres? If they are old keep your speed down, drive with the trucks at 55mph. Check for cuts & cracks before your leave. Take a wheel brace to check wheelnuts are tight & if you can't take a pump, stop at first services & check tyre pressures.
When you pick the van up make sure that the dealer/seller tightens the wheel nuts BEFORE you take ownership and drive away (just in case). Ask what Torque they should be at. If they don't know the answer then thats a worry. 88 for steel and 110 for alloys. So if he says 88 and its an alloy challenge him!!!! Ask if the tyres are the correct pressure. If you pick up from a dealer they should be but just ask to be sure. Ask what the pressure should be. Read this
It will enable you to work out the age of the tyre on your van. If its more than five years old then you should be asking for new ones if buying from a dealer. If not from a dealer then get new ones asap. That will assist in safe towing.
You will find when towing that you have more of an open road than when driving normally. They are all behind you. Enjoy the view. Give them a hint when the road is clear so they can pass. Take your time.
If you are going to a CC site get their site map off the net and decide which pitch you would like. Pick the easiest for reversing into. One you just go straight back into rather than round corners would be best. Then hope it is free when you get there. C&CC site tend to have wardens directing you into the pitch which can be most useful. On many a C&CC site they lead you in forwards which is even better!!! So if your Worcestershire site is at Hanley Swan they will take you in forwards there.
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
I nearly took the wing off a parked car the first time I towed a caravan LOL - so my tip would be to remember when overtaking, leave plenty of space behind you before you pull in again! I use my inside mirror a lot more when towing (come to think of it, I use both mirrors all the time when towing!), and also count to 5 after I think it's ok to pull in before I actually do. Quite handy to do when overtaking moving cars/lorries etc as well (on a M-way for eg.), so you don't accidentally cut them up. After a while, you will know without the counting!
That count will be more depending on how big your caravan is - mine is only 14ft including the A frame/towbar.
As said take your time, don't get flustered, you will get people being impatient with you at first. My first time towing was from Blackpool to West Midlands on my own! I was nervous and only did 50-55 mph let everyone overtake if they want. Did not take long before i felt quite comfortable. I still only do 50-55 its the speed i feel confident with. If i do have to overtake on the motorway, slow lorries ect i make sure i have plenty of room before going back in to the inside lane.
------------- Enjoy life whilst you can, it doesn't last for ever!!!!!!
Quote: Originally posted by glynnis51 on 25/10/2010
I still only do 50-55 its the speed i feel confident with. If i do have to overtake on the motorway, slow lorries ect i make sure i have plenty of room before going back in to the inside lane. Â
Same here. It suits my towcar as well as me! The limit is 60 though (on Mway/duel carriageways). I don't know how many times ppl towing larger vans have passed me at well over 65.
I'm quite new to towing Caravans too but i've towed larger vehicles with trailors in the past. As others have said just remember you need a wider turning space and be aware of what's around you before you make a move.
Don't allow yourself to become phased by other drivers who will be in a hurry and will think nothing of not only putting you a risk but also themselves with thoughtless overtaking and sudden braking.
There are some REAL t**sers on the road but you only really become aware of them when you have a caravan in tow!
I actually enjoy towing and with a well matched outfit you quickly overcome any fears and actually start to enjoy it.
If something doesn't feel right, stop and investigate. Move the weight around a little inside the caravan and notice the effect it makes. You will quickly work out if moving the weight a little further forward or aft makes the outfit more comfortably.
Thank you all for your help. We collected the caravan from a site that had a dealer and service shop on site so we hired an engineer for half an hour who helped us hitch up and checked the inside of the caravan for equal weight distribution which made is feel a lot safer. Journey home was pretty easy straight down the motorway so a good first trip. Only thing we forgot was to secure the sliding door and it slid and knocked off the door stop but that was just a small repair.
Left it packed up now so will go on Sunday to check its ok considering the weather and to make sure we did everything correctly and nothing has frozen up and burst!!
The only advice i could give you is dont worry too much and give extra room when pulling into or out of junctions or sharp bends in road as caravan can get close to the kerb, i alway try to position my outfit in the middle of my side of the road
Hope this helps
Eddy & co
------------- WHY DOES SHE TELL ME EVERYTHING IS MY FAULT?
Do all your pre drive checks, tryes weights, lights, caravan windows and roof vents secure,route plan, fuel stops etc. When overtaking pull out smoothly keeping outfit in a straight line. After a little while your confididence will build up but would say don't be over confident and start taking risks, this is when mistakes happen. I tend to check the weather forecast and wind speeds for areas im towing in. This makes you more aware of open parts of roads and motorways and cross winds.
"Left it packed up now so will go on Sunday to check its ok considering the weather and to make sure we did everything correctly and nothing has frozen up and burst!!"
When you do go back to the van open the drain tap (yellow one by the tank) just in case the dealer has left the tank full of water. Mine once tested the water system and forgot to drain the water off. Didn't realise until we arrived on a site and the tank would not fill as it was already full. So I had towed with all that extra weight in!!!! Worth a double check this time of year.
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
Van swerves when passed by LGV, rather unnervingly. I am not sure whether this is an issue with the nose weight, or overall weight of Van v Car, I am running around 90% of Kerb Weight? Does anyone experience this? I fully understand the physics of a 44T Lorry passing a 3T Van / Car combo will have impact but never expected to be this severe. I am towing a Swift 6 with a VW Touran III 2.0 TDI.
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: First ever trip towing caravan. Tips?
WHY DOES SHE TELL ME EVERYTHING IS MY FAULT? 
