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Hi,

I am new to caravanning and could do with some advice.  Towing I have found much easier than I originally thought but I am having problems with the reversing.  I am getting better at steering the caravan in to the correct direction (although was a nightmare to start with).  I am having problems when reversing slightly up hill when I first did this I burnt the clutch out on the car and had to have the clutch replaced, although I am sure that it was probably on its way out as had approached 60,000 miles.  The second time I had to reverse up a slight hill was at a campsite last weekend and the clutch started to burn again, and the car seemed to struggle.  I have read that this could be the brakes on the caravan but as I am new to this I am not sure whether this is the case or whether it is always a struggle reversing up a slight slope.

Note: The Campsite Manager mentioned that Volkswagen clutches can be a problem

Just to let you know I have a Bailey Ranger 470/4 2007 (Pretty light weight)

Volkswagen Jetta 1.9tdi Manual 2007

Alko Hitch Lock

I am after some advice really about what I should do when reversing, i.e undo hitch lock and any tips to save my clutch.  Although its a company car, I don't really want to keep replacing the clutch.

Also to note, I can't afford a motor mover at present.

Many thanks in advance.

David.

hhmmm some good pointers,

Could be going wrong with not taking the foot off the accelerator as I do tend to be heavy footed when it comes to this.  I would have thought the engine would have stalled though not giving enough revs, but perhaps its just a bad habit I have.

must change my driving behaviour!!!!!

Thankyou!!

Quote: Originally posted by daveyboy1a on 09/6/2009

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That's also a good point as i do tend to hold the clutch at biting point when reversing. I think is because I presumed that the car would stall. I am going to have a practice at the weekend. Nice to hear others have experienced similar problems.

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No the car shouldn`t stall. I used to do the same as you put too much revs on the accelarotor and get that clutch burning smell. I did a course to pass the B+E test and this is how they taught me to reverse. It keeps you at a nice slow speed and you have a lot more control over the caravan when reversing.