I'm just back from a 2 day visit to the caravan club site in Edinburgh, was is so remarkable about this you wonder, I went on my own with my two boys and managed to get the caravan on the pitch with just some assistance from my 9 year old son. Normally I meet up with my sister and her husband and they help me get on my pitch etc.
I had asked the staff if they could have help if I ran into difficulties and they were very willing to help but I wanted to give it a go myself, so I was over the moon when I managed it. Don't get me wrong if someone had offered when I was having difficulty get the caravan unhitched I would have taken them up on the offer.
I understand how difficult it is for people as you never know when to offer your help or not, but as a single female with 2 children I will accept any assistance gratefully.
I have just returned from a 3 night break at a beautiful CS - this is the second time I've been there on my own with my 2 younger boys. I even mananged to reverse in a straight line onto the pitch this time!! The feeling of accomplishment is immense and it has given me the confidence to venture further afield next time!
Hi Helen, fantastic that you managed the reversing, that's my next project.I'm going to take the caravan down to the B&Q car park with a couple of cones and just practice reversing. It was ok on that site because it is flat and the caravan is light. Your are right about building up your confidence, I have only ventured to sites around 60-75 minutes away but will go further next time.
I've been following some of your posts, did you get a water heater fitted?
Not a water heater but I now have pumped cold water in the van which is fab!!! Made life SOOOOO much easier for things like getting drinks and doing the washing up. I still need to boil the kettle to get hot water but I can live with that!
I still need loads more reversing practice but I am getting better - fortunately my van is so light that I can just push her in to place and the CS was spacious with level pitches!!
You have been braver than me - I have only stayed at sites within 30 minutes drive of home so far - lol!!
Towing wasn't actually as scary as I thought it would be. I was a bit nervous but I got into the car telling myself this was something I COULD do. First time I towed, my OH (who has been towing for years) sat in the car next to me. Next time I was in the car on my own but he followed me so he could see if I was doing anything wrong (apparently I was doing very well!) Third time I was on my own and off I went!
I am now planning to venture a bit further away but will never tow too far - there are plenty of beautiful sites to visit close to home!
good on you girls, did my 1st solo trip last week since my co-driver and mum passed away over a year ago and after 50 miles my confidence returned, van was solid as a rock, i was relaxed, had a great holiday... the van is staying
Well done you! Now you've done it once there'll be no stopping you
Wish I was more confident. I'm fine towing, it's just the getting the van onto the pitch bit that scares me - can't reverse to save my life & the van's too heavy to push in on my own. Must get myself on a course - it'd make life so much easier.
To all you who are apprehensive, go for it. I was very nervous but my husband doesn't like caravanning, but I love my wee caravan, so it was either give it up or go for it. I had a tricky tow home last year, caravan was snaking but I just slowed right down and got home safely, I blocked out that I was holding people up, better than having an accident. I didn't let it put me off, just got a better tow car.
Helen got mixed up, I have not managed to get my water pump working(whale foot pump type), I am going to post a new topic on it and see if anyone can help.
My caravan is also very lightweight, but I couldn't manage to pitch it by myself if I had to reverse it, or move it by hand as I have back probs. Looking at the price of motor movers is scary so no chance of that either!
I usually drive around until I can find a space I can drive into, then unhitch. I sometimes have a friend with me, but have done the whole thing from start to finish by myself.
A good way I found of reversing back to the tow hitch is to 'plant' a bamboo cane where the hitch is so that you know where it is. I do that at home when hitching up, and ask for help to hitch up on sites.
A good way I found of reversing back to the tow hitch is to 'plant' a bamboo cane where the hitch is so that you know where it is. I do that at home when hitching up, and ask for help to hitch up on sites.
I also do that and I have been towing caravans/trailers for years
Another tip I was given when reversing is if there is more of the caravan/trailer in the righthand mirror then turn the steering wheel to the right. The same with the lefthand mirror. Very small steering movements are best when reversing a caravan/trailer. Try and position yourself so that you are literally reversing in a straight line on to your pitch/driveway You also don't have to be able to complete the reverse in one movement,if you need too, take a shunt Practice practice and more practice is the answer. Most towers only tow a couple of times a year so they don't get the practice that is needed. HTH's Steve
------------- Nothing nada zilch no camping this year boohoo
hi well done i also tow solo a lot of the time, usually meet up with friends on site all females who tow their vans.we have been as far as dorset,new forest plymouth,somerset, off to keswick cc+c club site friday can't wait even though forecast for rain.
Well done, I've not yet plucked up the courage to tow our van on my own...don't get me wrong I am a good driver but never having towed on the motorway, well this just gives me nightmares. Really well done and carry on. Maybe one of these weekends I will tackle it it on my own. by the way originally from Glasgow so "good on you hen"!!!!
Elaine
------------- Elaine
Clumber feb 1/2 term
clumber april 2011
May Clumber
May Scarborough
August Corfe Castle and any other weekend i can manage!
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: On my own
