Do you get irritated when non-caravanners complain about being held up etc? Point out to them that towing a caravan takes more skill than they have! You need spacial awareness to know what is around you,to position your outfit for negotiating roundabouts, corners etc. A hill start would frighten most of them. You also need the skill to reverse in a straight line or even harder, reversing onto the pitch, at an angle and often on grass. If they can do that and more, then they have the right to criticize. Other than that, then NO!
Quote: Originally posted by millermicm on 04/5/2013
I doubt very much the annoyed follower would be interested in any of this stuff. Much of it doesn't apply to a caravan being driven on a main road.
It can't be that hard. You don't even need a special licence for it.
You could point out your speed limit of course.
Err I think you will find you do need a special licence now if you passed your test after 1st January 1997
.then are those who have no comprehension of the physics of a caravan. They decide to overtake parked cars when you have the right of way and they don't appreciate that you actually have to have a wide berth and they suddenly have to stop to avoid hitting you...if you are lucky. .......and they don't understand that you need a tad extra width to go around a roundabout...........and as for them never reversing to give you room...no way...they expect us to reverse out of their way...
Don't get me started.......
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
Indicators ha !
Saw a muppet on Friday towing a tin tent who had not even been bothered to plug his electrics between his car and van , infact both wires were still pushed into the storage holders on the a frame
Clown !
Quote: Originally posted by millermicm on 04/5/2013I doubt very much the annoyed follower would be interested in any of this stuff. Much of it doesn't apply to a caravan being driven on a main road.
It can't be that hard. You don't even need a special licence for it.
You could point out your speed limit of course.
Err I think you will find you do need a special licence now if you passed your test after 1st January 1997
The rules changed again in 2013 but new drivers can still drive a combined weight of 3500kg on an ordinary licence. Suggest you read up on the rules. What can I tow?
Quote: Originally posted by Big Al on 05/5/2013
Indicators ha !
Saw a muppet on Friday towing a tin tent who had not even been bothered to plug his electrics between his car and van , infact both wires were still pushed into the storage holders on the a frame
Clown !
I bet he hadn't bothered with his breakaway cable either. Makes you wonder though, just how many towers haven't a clue what they are doing?
No, not in the slightest, why should I, you or any other caravanner give a flying f**** about who we hold up?...I certainly didn't in 40yrs of HGV driving & I don't with my caravan.
Its fair to say that many caravanners have no more towing skill than the car drivers that they revert to when they detach their caravan.....
I don't think its hard to tow a caravan, observation is the key to being a good driver. I passed my b+e no bother.
Sometimes other drivers can cause you problems which can make it a little more challenging.
As for reversing, if you struggle you need to have lessons.
It does worry me some times when I see people towing in the middle of the road for no reason or clearly loaded badly or speeding or not pluggled in or anything really as I think just one or two lessons and you'll be so much safer and happier towing.
Quote: Originally posted by Tersane on 04/5/2013
Do you get irritated when non-caravanners complain about being held up etc?
I think virtually every time we go out with the van attached we end up getting held up behind someone who hasn't even got a van !!! (No I don't break the speed limits)
Quote: Originally posted by Onewheelonmywagon on 13/5/2013
One of the nice things about caravanning is that you don't see many traffic delays - they're all behind you
I pull over if I get the opportunity and let them all go, most of the time I get a thumbs-up or a wave of thanks. It only takes a few minutes and you're on your way again.
Also saves (to my mind) the lives of those who will try to overtake even on double white lines and with heavy vehicles coming from the opposite direction.
When observing a 30/40mph speed limit I never pull over as I feel I am doing all the cars behind me a favour by making them stick to the limit.
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