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Subject Topic: Nervous first timer Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonDrizzy1975
03/8/2015 at 7:17pm
 Location: Newport Pagnell
 Outfit: Swift Rapide 450 GLX View Drizzy1975's Profile View Profile   Reply to Drizzy1975 Reply   Quote Drizzy1975 Quote  
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I am ever so nervous about my first towing experience! I said to my wife I suppose it's good to be nervous rather than over confident. Nevertheless I can't stop looking at advice all hours of the day!!

We are traveling from Milton Keynes to sheringham in Norfolk for a few days in Wednesday ......a bit over ambitious or just go for it??!

It's just I have done so many alterations to the interior....a complete overhaul in fact. Just want to go away and enjoy all the hard work.


Personmalbarker
03/8/2015 at 8:17pm
 Location: sunderland
 Outfit: Hobby 650 wfu caravan View malbarker's Profile View Profile   Reply to malbarker Reply   Quote malbarker Quote  
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Just take your time and enjoy,after a few miles you will wonder why you were worrying.

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Mal


PersonDrizzy1975
03/8/2015 at 9:19pm
 Location: Newport Pagnell
 Outfit: Swift Rapide 450 GLX View Drizzy1975's Profile View Profile   Reply to Drizzy1975 Reply   Quote Drizzy1975 Quote  
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I hope that the aks1300!hitch will be okay, new on yesterday!

Loads to think about....need to mock up a camping scenario on the drive maybe? Check the hot water, for dish rinsing and of course my wife's shower in the morning, me, facilities on site as I am paying for it:)

Then.....

Loading. I have a roof box so will be loading as much as possible into the car, box and only a few bits in the van like clothes, kitchen wares, step, bedding, etc.

I am sure it will be okay in the end and really want to give the old swifty a run for her money, she is a beauty inside..... Unique:))


PersonWobbly Box
03/8/2015 at 10:01pm
 Location:  Scotland
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as said previously said, just take your time. When you load your caravan check the nose weight. Then check your wheel nuts and once your hooked up to the car check all your lights are working. Finally enjoy your trip.

Post last edited on 03/08/2015 22:28:27


PersonRay Clayton
03/8/2015 at 10:16pm
 Location: Ilkeston. Derbyshire
 Outfit: Disco 4 Unicorn Barcelona 4 View Ray Clayton's Profile View Profile   Reply to Ray Clayton Reply   Quote Ray Clayton Quote  
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As above take your time keep to the speed limits, and have a steady journey. I will get easier every time you go out.

-------------
Cheers
Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4







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PersonNosaj
04/8/2015 at 10:09am
 Location: Rayleigh Essex
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About 5 years ago I bought a caravan drove it off the dealers forecourt and about 400 yards down the road the wheel came off. So plus one for Torquing wheel nuts (the dealer hadn't even put a wrench on them !)

I vowed never to tow a caravan again but fast forward to June 2015 and my voow has been broken.

I was probably a lot more nervous than you on my first tow due to my past experience (check my post history). We had to pick up our caravan from a dealer (different one to the first) that is situated just off a busy dual carriageway just off the M25.
 
We decided to go straight from the dealers to a site near us (about an hour tow from the dealer to check everything). Our first tow consisted of getting onto that dual carriageway and straight off at next junction to come back again) . To get back on the slip road was down hill to a really tight hairpin. We did that OK then it was diual carriageway and single rural road (both wide and narrow) to the site.

For the first half hour my knuckles were white but then I relaxed into it and it was a lot easier than I thought. We are off to the new forest (via the M25 - 2 3/4 hours drive) on Monday and I am looking forward to it and not worrying about getting there

Check your noseweight (I have had to experiment a lot on mine as it was quite hard to get nosewight up this does alter the ride significantly), check all tyre pressures, load the caravan sensibly, torque your wheel nuts, take your time, remember to allow a bit more room when turning left/right it is on the back and you will be fine.

Post last edited on 04/08/2015 10:15:09


PersonSkoda Bob
04/8/2015 at 11:20am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Swift charisma Skoda Scout 4x4 View Skoda Bob's Profile View Profile   Reply to Skoda Bob Reply   Quote Skoda Bob Quote  
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What vehicle do you have,


PersonDrizzy1975
04/8/2015 at 12:01pm
 Location: Newport Pagnell
 Outfit: Swift Rapide 450 GLX View Drizzy1975's Profile View Profile   Reply to Drizzy1975 Reply   Quote Drizzy1975 Quote  
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Nissan qashqai 1.5dci. Caravan is a swift rapide 1000 kg.


PersonSkoda Bob
04/8/2015 at 12:42pm
 Location: None Entered
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Quote: Originally posted by Drizzy1975 on 03/8/2015I hope that the aks1300!hitch will be okay, new on yesterday!

Loads to think about....need to mock up a camping scenario on the drive maybe? Check the hot water, for dish rinsing and of course my wife's shower in the morning, me, facilities on site as I am paying for it:)

Then.....

Loading. I have a roof box so will be loading as much as possible into the car, box and only a few bits in the van like clothes, kitchen wares, step, bedding, etc.

I am sure it will be okay in the end and really want to give the old swifty a run for her money, she is a beauty inside..... Unique:))

wouldn't bother with the roof box, put stuff evenly in the van, or drop the back seats, if there is only the 2 of you


PersonDrizzy1975
04/8/2015 at 12:47pm
 Location: Newport Pagnell
 Outfit: Swift Rapide 450 GLX View Drizzy1975's Profile View Profile   Reply to Drizzy1975 Reply   Quote Drizzy1975 Quote  
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Only reason I was thinking about using the roof box was to free some room in both the car and the van I am travelling with my 10-month-old daughter she's got more assests than me. I have highchair babywalker travel cot !!


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PersonSkoda Bob
04/8/2015 at 12:55pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Swift charisma Skoda Scout 4x4 View Skoda Bob's Profile View Profile   Reply to Skoda Bob Reply   Quote Skoda Bob Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by Drizzy1975 on 04/8/2015
Only reason I was thinking about using the roof box was to free some room in both the car and the van I am travelling with my 10-month-old daughter she's got more assests than me. I have highchair babywalker travel cot !!

Put those 3 items in the van, on the floor, drop half the back seat and put anything you need in the space


PersonDrizzy1975
04/8/2015 at 6:59pm
 Location: Newport Pagnell
 Outfit: Swift Rapide 450 GLX View Drizzy1975's Profile View Profile   Reply to Drizzy1975 Reply   Quote Drizzy1975 Quote  
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Thanks for your help.

Do you think the roof box will unsteady things then? Or just as long as everything is well balanced load the van accordingly? And leave the box at home?


PersonHairywol
04/8/2015 at 7:03pm
 Location: Teesside
 Outfit: Challenger Sport 524 + Volvo V90 D5 View Hairywol's Profile View Profile   Reply to Hairywol Reply   Quote Hairywol Quote  
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The heavier the car and the lighter the van, generally the more stable things should be. Noseweight is very important, as close to 7% of the laden caravan weight as your towbar will bear.

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Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.


PersonDrizzy1975
10/8/2015 at 8:39pm
 Location: Newport Pagnell
 Outfit: Swift Rapide 450 GLX View Drizzy1975's Profile View Profile   Reply to Drizzy1975 Reply   Quote Drizzy1975 Quote  
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Well.....

After the sleepless night last Tuesday I faced my fears when towing day finally arrived.

I can say the whole experience was a pleasure and it turned out to be a fantastic 5 nights away in Norfolk !!

Only comment is that I realise that the British roads are bumpier than usual....first car over then van but my 10 month old daughter loved the ride and slept more than usual!!!

Looking forward to the next trip now :)


PersonTesad29
10/8/2015 at 11:16pm
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I've been following your post as I'm off for the first time next week. Glad you enjoyed it. My biggest worry is corners!!


PersonDrizzy1975
11/8/2015 at 7:03am
 Location: Newport Pagnell
 Outfit: Swift Rapide 450 GLX View Drizzy1975's Profile View Profile   Reply to Drizzy1975 Reply   Quote Drizzy1975 Quote  
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I didn't curb the van once. Just remember to turn wider and the van will follow your every move. Just take it steady and enjoy it. I planned the route. The hardest part was leaving at the time when parked cars in the estate where I live had gone to work to give me a clear run out.

I need a bit more thought and practice at petrol pumps as well as they can be a worry when turning away. I was worried that I was going to turn the back of the van into one at tescos Kings Lynn but just asked my wife to check and I cleared it no problem.

Enjoy your trip



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