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Subject Topic: Towing Nerves
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12/6/2013 at 8:56pm
 Location:  Sunny Devon
 Outfit: Amber Eccles & Easy Camp Boston 600
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Is it only me or does anyone else get nervous when you are towing? Everyone else looks like they are perfectly relaxed, but we are quite nervous at times. It all goes along okay than all of a sudden a big gust of wind wobbles you about, the bouncing gets stronger on certian road surfaces and i keep getting pictures of a snake starting!! We have an anti snake bar and restrict speed to 60mph at most on nice striaght roads, the van is packed sensibly and the car is perfectrly suited to towing our van.

Will i ever get used to it? or am i being over sensitive?

Can't help but think a trailer tent would be less stressful!! Should we downsize?



-------------
Anyone who says something is foolproof hasn't met a determined fool!


12/6/2013 at 9:08pm
 Location: Kennington OXFORD
 Outfit: 2005 Eccles Sterling Topaz 2 berth
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I promise you that you will get used to it. Just ensure that you load the caravan correctly, that the caravan tyre pressures are correct, that the car rear tyre pressures are correct for towing, and that the tow hitch nose weight is correct.
I do notice that the caravan has a slight wriggle (only slight!) whenever a white van goes past us at 90-something mph, but it is all over very quickly. Generally our outfit is extremely stable. Some on here advise that a stabiliser is not necessary if a caravan is loaded right and the other items mentioned are sorted, and that a stabiliser could actually mask a problem until too late. However, I prefer to use one, yet I do pay meticulous attention as I have advised.
Good luck - relax and enjoy your caravanning!!
Pete

BTW, I usually check and adjust tyre pressures COLD. This is why I do not use forecourt pumps; I have a compressor on board with which I check the caravan tyres before every tow, also the car rear tyres. The only occasion I relax my 'cold only' rule is when I have arrived on site. Our car calls for a 5 psi increase for the rears for towing, so when we arrive, as soon as I unhitch and have got the legs down I check the pressures and reduce them by 5 psi from whatever they are reading as most evenings we go out once the caravan/awning setting up is complete. Hope that makes sense.


12/6/2013 at 9:14pm
 Location: south yorks
 Outfit: bailey senator indiana seris 6
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hi Pepe la Pew I`m always a bit on edge when I first take the van out but settle down after a few miles once i get used to the van on back . I always tow at about 56/57 then you have a little lee way .60 is the max you can tow at on motorways and dual carriageways and 50 on other roads malc1945


12/6/2013 at 9:15pm
 Location: Bedfordshire
 Outfit: Vectra 1.9cdti Swift ClassicCorvette
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I think a lot of people suffer with nerves while towing.

There is nothing wrong with being cautious. It sounds like your doing everything correctly and paying attention to correct loading. 

Snaking is first thing on everyone mind while towing and is the one thing always talked about. The other things that can go wrong like blowouts seem to get the back seat.

If worried why not attend a towing course. Caravan club run these and im sure these will help build confidance.

Here is a stat I read the other day:-

 In the UK less than 0.06% of road traffic accidents where there is a casualty, involve a caravan (not necessarily the cause). (UK Department for Transport).

Really if you think about how many accidents there are everyday this is a very small amount. No need worry. Drive carefully as you are. Enjoy the ride.



12/6/2013 at 10:02pm
 Location: Lincolnshire
 Outfit: Adria Adora Thames
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Hi Pepe

I always find the first few minutes when we set off stressful as I get used to he van again. I also find the last few minutes stressful as we approach our campsite. I think it's nerves about access and things.
I sometimes check sites out with google Earth which allows me to check out approaches and accessibility.
You sound like you're doing all of the right things. The more you do, the more relaxed you'll feel.
I always feel more tired after towing when compared to normal driving. I think I must be concentrating harder and trying to anticipate other vehicles on the road more.
I'm sure you'll be fine mate.

Bignose


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12/6/2013 at 10:06pm
 Location: Lincolnshire
 Outfit: Adria Adora Thames
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Rob's suggestion of a towing course is good and might improve your confidence. Just watch your speed as others have suggested as well.


12/6/2013 at 10:21pm
 Location: Kennington OXFORD
 Outfit: 2005 Eccles Sterling Topaz 2 berth
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Quote: Originally posted by Bignose+jo on 12/6/2013
Hi Pepe

I always find the first few minutes when we set off stressful as I get used to he van again. I also find the last few minutes stressful as we approach our campsite. I think it's nerves about access and things.
I sometimes check sites out with google Earth which allows me to check out approaches and accessibility.
You sound like you're doing all of the right things. The more you do, the more relaxed you'll feel.
I always feel more tired after towing when compared to normal driving. I think I must be concentrating harder and trying to anticipate other vehicles on the road more.
I'm sure you'll be fine mate.

Bignose



Excellent points, not least the Google Earth checks. Every time we go to a new campsite, I check first Google maps for the road classifications, then once I have decided on the exact route to minimise the unclassifieds, I do a Google Streetview for the complete last few miles to include all unclassified stretches. This gives advance warning of any horrible bits. Then I type out a 'navigator's' A4 sheet for 'er indoors and we are all systems go.



13/6/2013 at 7:07am
 Location: west country
 Outfit: None Entered
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I too always use google maps & streetview to get a good understanding of approach roads. We don't do single track when towing so if it looks dodgy we don't go there.

There is more to think about when towing. Mirrors, anticipation space etc but nerves should soon settle.


13/6/2013 at 6:35pm
 Location: Kent
 Outfit: Trigano ranger 575lx
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The more you tow the more relaxed you will become. You could always travel when roads are quite early morning or evening.


13/6/2013 at 7:05pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Hymer 530
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Try having one for the road to settle your nerves

-------------
Mike


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13/6/2013 at 7:53pm
 Location:  Sunny Devon
 Outfit: Amber Eccles & Easy Camp Boston 600
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Thanks for your replies. Nice to know that others are a bit nervous too, but you all look so calm to me!! Will keep doing all we can to be safe and do more trips and hopefully get used to it.

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Anyone who says something is foolproof hasn't met a determined fool!


14/6/2013 at 3:11pm
 Location: Greater Manchester
 Outfit: elddis crusader scirocco and 1 tent
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We are going to scarborough a week on sun, Ive never towed so far before and I am getting nervous now lol, but as others have said once you get going you will settle down and when you have done it you will feel proud of yourself....

christina

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dogscenturion


14/6/2013 at 10:03pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo
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In the slow lane the lorries make depressions which form tracks. When the caravan wheel hits one, it gets deflected and that feels like a snake starting. Let the wheel go where it will and it will follow the track.

Slow down a bit going downhill. Snakes are more likely to happen and you have less options for getting out of them.

Actually measure your noseweight. You'll be amazed how much it affects the feel when towing. It's very easy to be way out from what it should be.



15/6/2013 at 11:17am
 Location: Wigan
 Outfit: Sprite S Line TD Mondeo Titanium 2 0
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Hi everyone. I posted on here a while ago asking for advice about our old caravan which we hadn't actually used. We decided in the end to sell it which we have but now we recently had some really good luck which means we are the proud owners of a brand new caravan!! We are absolutely new to aLl things caravanny (!) and are frightened to death of dealing with the towing aspect! Our main problem though is working out if our car is able to tow the caravan. The whole thing about working out the numbers is confusing to say the least. Is there anyone out there who could just give me a straight yes or no whether it'll tow it or are we in need of a new car too? Our car is a Nissan Serena I think 1995 and it's an automatic. The caravan' s MTPLM is 1275kg. Please can anyone help a pair of duff mathematicians???


15/6/2013 at 1:58pm
 Location: Bedfordshire
 Outfit: Vectra 1.9cdti Swift ClassicCorvette
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try www. towcar . info. They have a unit match application. You need all the caravans weights and engine size for your car. Hope this helps


15/6/2013 at 5:32pm
 Location: Manchester
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 524
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Hi i am relatively new to towing its been 5 yrs now and three car changes with the same van, it generally takes me 30 50 miles to be comfortable towing the van, we live ontop of the m60/m62 so dont have to tow much on normal roads etc. But as long as all weights are correct and pressures then you should have no problems just take it easy, no rush and enjoy. have plenty of breaks where possible and make it fun for all travelling.

we normally travel to the south east from the northwest so 6 hours with two stops of 20 - 30 mins, so actually travelling is about 5 hrs to site.

some say it gets easier, but ithink all are nervous for the first few miles.

enjoy chris w



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