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Topic: New to towing

rjtcamplet

08/4/2014 at 7:19pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Camplet Classic & Nissan Qashqai

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So, we're picking up our camplet from camperlands at the weekend, and will be towing it back home some 200 miles. I last towed a caravan in my early twenties.

So, any tips for me?

millermicm

08/4/2014 at 8:02pm
Location: west country
Outfit: None Entered

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Well good luck but no knowing your age now we have n idea how long ago you were in your early twenties.

Having done it before at some stage you will have no problem. Just check your mirrors regularly. Take your time.

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Steve

rjtcamplet

08/4/2014 at 9:23pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Camplet Classic & Nissan Qashqai

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Oh all right....I'm 62

NickH

08/4/2014 at 9:28pm
Location: North Surrey
Outfit: Bailey Unicorn Valencia S3

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Steady as she goes and laugh at the queue building up behind you

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Nick

2017
April - New Forest(9)
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elainesu

09/4/2014 at 12:13pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: pennine fiesta

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i actually had a towing lesson before i bought fc, just to make sure i was okay before laying out lots of money and then freaking out about towing. i loved the lesson and get on well with towing. first time was a bit nerve racking, and as i normally camp on my own, dragged a friend along for moral support, just for the first time. Still cant reverse very well, though, but thats the car's fault not mine got a motor mover instead.

Elaine

NickH

09/4/2014 at 12:17pm
Location: North Surrey
Outfit: Bailey Unicorn Valencia S3

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Reversing, yup, tried that once......

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Nick

2017
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Alphonso De Lard

09/4/2014 at 1:01pm
Location: Derby
Outfit: Bailey Pegasus II Milan & Honda CR-V

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rjtcamplet, relax. First tip - if you don't have to reverse, don't. The smaller the towing item, the harder to reverse. It'll be harder to reverse than when you had to reverse your van. Don't panic if you have to either! Worse case scenario - (eg small country lane) - unhitch it and manually turn it around!

You'll be fine. Have some confidence. You'll probably forget it's there! So biggest tip - watch the speed limit on the motorway - rememeber it's 60!

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2019:
Wye Meadow Camping
Dornafield
Wyatts Covert
Chestnut Meadow

2Peas in aPod

09/4/2014 at 4:31pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Trailor Tent

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   good luck with your new tt as other posts have said take your time when overtaking. use your off side mirror well in advance. keep a check on your near side mirror. give plenty of time before pulling in to your left. most drivers will give you a flash of their headlights, but advise caution at all times.

       it will get dark or rain before morning.

           2pp's

alexwood146

10/4/2014 at 1:19am
Location: West of Scotland
Outfit: Camplet Classic; Vango Beta350;

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I've been exactly the same situation as yourself. I'm in my late 40's and my last towing experience was twenty years ago; with a small trailer.

We were down at Camperlands a few weeks ago to collect our new Camplet Classic. I was really nervous about the trip back to Glasgow but it was great! The trailer was very well behaved (its unbraked), very stable and I quickly forgot it was there. Which of course resulted in me worrying if it was still attached... Over the whole journey we stopped twice just to check everything was where it should be, jockey wheel still up & lighting cable not trailing along the road but I needn't have worried. Bizarrely it wasn't until I was 1/2 a mile from home that I met a bin lorry coming the other way on a narrow road! Quick panic and then I got a grip and successfully reversed back to let the lorry pass. Practice makes perfect but golden rule is don't panic.
Have a search on Youtube, I found that there were a few good videos showing towing technique etc.

As an aside, the handover was VERY thorough. Bernie at Camperlands did ours and there wasn't a clip, press stud, zip or anything else you can name that wasn't fully explained and given his tips on best use.

Very satisfied customer!!!

-------------
Fiat Doblo with a Camplet Classic - Kawa ER6f with Vango Beta 350

alisonme

10/4/2014 at 10:33am
Location: Manchester
Outfit: Pennine Countryman

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The biggest problem you'll have with a Camplet is forgetting its there! Enjoy!

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All the best,
Alison

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