hi there i h ave an abbey executive and towing the caravan is not a problem but reversing the flaming thing is a huge problem for me .when i take it back to the storage site i dread it especially if i have to cram it tight beteween two caravans.i know that its a type of thing you cant learn straight away but does anybody have any handy tips when reversing .thanks mr wooly
Look in the search window above for reversing tips. When reversing don't look out of back windows but use your side mirrors more and only make very small movements with the steering wheel and always steer the oppisite way to which you want your van to move. Hope this helps
------------- I'm just a slave to the outdoor life!!!!!!!
When you pull up to reverse your van into a spot, always try & have the rear of the van pointing in the right direction if possible. This can be achieved by driving in reasonably close to your target & then swinging the nose of the car away. Try also to reverse into your chosen spot with IT on the drivers side of your vehicle.
Looking out of your drivers window, watching the side'/rear of your van. Have someone standing on your nearside with your window down & instruct them to only alert you IF your going to HIT something. That way you continue quietly with the manouvre.
A tip to know which way to turn your steering wheel is to treat your caravan like a garage which you're trying to reverse into. This way you'll always correct the steering & once you get the feel of it you'll always do so at the right time. With practise it'll become second nature. Always try & reverse on tick over, there shouldn't be a requirement to have any excess revs on board with modern engines.
The caravan & caming club is running courses & are advertising them to be at the NEC birmingham for the caravan show in october. But, as has already been suggested, go to your local trading estate on a weekend & have a play. Set yourself some bays up & practise reversing into them, you'll get it with practise. It's like everything else in life, practise makes perfect.
I hate reversing the van but with a bit of practive I now manage to get it into it's storage place without losing my rag and in just a few go's. Still gotta used to reversing on-site but finding that abit harder as there are usually people watching me and that puts me off abit, but I'll get there in the end and I'm sure you will with more practice
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
Firstly, get as close to the straight back position as you can rather than try sharp reversing turns. Then try this method as taught to me by my HGV instructor.
Put one hand only on the bottom of the steering wheel, (palm down 6 o clock) and sit on the other hand rather than use both.( Same applies to go forward when manovering, but place your hand on top of the wheel 12 o clock).
As soon as you start moving, point your hand slightly in the directions you want the caravan tail to go, once it is on course, steer opposite and then centre to bring the car and trailer back into line. Don't stop start as a slow continuous momentum plays a major part.
Finally, there is no shame in pulling straight if it goes wrong. Even the most experienced drivers have off days
I know what you mean. Im a newbie too, and its the thing I dreaded most for the first outting or two....
Then I found I surprised myself somewhat getting onto a tricky pitch, and soon I found it was getting easier every time.
Practise makes perfect I hope!
Just take your time, be slow and steady, and have someone keep an eye out for the bits you cant see. You are on holiday, and you have all day so dont rush.
I find it helpful to 'detach' myself from the car when manouevring, and just think in terms of the caravan itself, and how I'd push the caravan if I didnt have the car attached. Definitely not think about the car Im in!
So if you want the caravan to go in a certain direction, which front corner of the van would you push? And to push that corner with the car, how would you aim the car to push that particular corner.
Best of luck, it does seem to get better.
Geoff
------------- Veni Vidi Velcro.... I came, I saw, I stuck around!
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 time reverser help
