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Subject Topic: NERVOUS ABOUT TOWING!!
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16/8/2006 at 10:00pm
 Location: aberdeenshire
 Outfit: Superb estate + swift Colonsay
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I have only been driving a few years, my OH has been driving for 20. I went on a CC course and although my OH does have some experience towing he readily admits that i have always been able to reverse better than him. The CC course gave me the experience and therefore the nerve to park our van.
I regularly park it and where we store our van, OH jumps out to guide me between a tree and two other vans.

I would certainly recommend one of these courses. I even towed for the first part of our holiday down the A90 to Dundee.

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My photos allow you to see what I saw at the time that I took it....No messing.


16/8/2006 at 11:36pm
 Location: South Wales
 Outfit: None Entered
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  Uncles towing caravan home for me.. then i'll  take it up the industrial estate and get some practise and confidence!!

           thanks everyone for the advice!! Wish me luck



16/8/2006 at 11:43pm
 Location: South Wales
 Outfit: None Entered
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       I would have loved to go on a days course but every things been a bit mad lately esp with kids off school, OH has not long passed his driving test after forty years so its all down to me!! SUPER MUM......


17/8/2006 at 7:59am
 Location: leeds
 Outfit: Abbey GTS 416 & Bongo
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you can do it, !!!!

girls can tow too!!!

you will be very proud of your self when you do, you il be nervous at first but you will soon start to relax and enjoy it!! Go Girl!!!



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As one door closes another one opens.. sometimes you need to spend a little time in the room thats all..

Do whats right and right will become of you ;-)
Nichola xx


17/8/2006 at 10:22am
 Location: Nottingham
 Outfit: Outwell Ohio XL & Kia Ceed3 Sport
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Go girl

I have been driving for donkeys years, & used to drive for a living, so I am a very confident driver, having said that when we bought our trailer when we 1st started camping I was quite nevous, especially as you can't see the trailer when your in the car, we then bought a trailer tent, that was better coz at least you could see it through your mirrors. I wanted a caravan for a long time but hubby said I'm not dragging one of them sheds behind me I don't trust em, so I knew the only way we would get one is if I towed it.

We bought a van hubby towed it once & said I don't like this towing lark you do it, so I have, for just over a year now, the 1st time I was a little nervous but after about 5 mins I was fine, I towed it from Nottingham to South Wales, had to turn it around a couple of times on narrow roads, coz hubby is crap at map reading & got us lost, but we got there in the end, I was dead chuffed with myself.

Most peeps on here didn't even know Anthony could drive until a few weeks ago, & we bought my new car, then he decided he felt safe enough to tow. I since found out that he never liked towing because he felt his car ( Kia Sportage ) was too light to tow the caravan, even though both car & van were well within the towing limits,  he worried all the time we would either snake or lose the van. New car, no problem, it will tow anything, & I must admit I sometimes forget Iv'e got the van on the back.

Like others have said as long as you pack it right, don't exceed your weights, & have a car that is capable of towing your van. you will be fine.



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I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it


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17/8/2006 at 6:11pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Swift Challenger Sport 524 VW Carave
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you'll be fine gothika.  One thing nobody seems to have mentioned though.   When you turn right,or go straight over at crossroads, remember the length of van at the back, especially if the road you are going into is not completely clear; you don't want to present another driver with the spectacle of a caravan broadside on to him/her. Also applies to allowing your self time to leave road clear for approaching vehicle.

Bertie



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The 2 Tops


18/8/2006 at 12:21am
 Location: South Wales
 Outfit: None Entered
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  Thanks all, uncle brought the van home tonight!! So excited , keep looking out of the window to check it!!   

 Gonna take it out tomorrow eve and practise around the industrial estate worried about overloading as we are going to cornwall for 2 weeks so being carefull!!

 prob wont have full nights sleep tonight but hell only 1 day left in work!!

 again GUYS WISH ME LUCK....let you know tomorrow how i get on



18/8/2006 at 1:22am
 Location: leeds
 Outfit: Abbey GTS 416 & Bongo
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wooooo im all excited for you !!!!!

Good Luck and enjoy!!!



-------------
As one door closes another one opens.. sometimes you need to spend a little time in the room thats all..

Do whats right and right will become of you ;-)
Nichola xx


18/8/2006 at 8:17am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Swift Challenger Sport 524 VW Carave
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Hi gothika, we are off to Cornwall too, for 5 weeks.  Will be in the St Agnes area, on an adults only site.   Where abouts in Cornwall are you going?

Bertie



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The 2 Tops


18/8/2006 at 11:10am
 Location: Leicestershire
 Outfit: Sterling Europa 500 - Ford Monde 2.00
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Hi Gothika

One tip i was given when i first started towing was from my brother who is an HGV driver and also tows a caravan. if you on the motorway or dual carriagway experienced towers will tell you that it can be quite nerve racking when being overtaken by an artic lorry it creates a vacume and tends top pull the van to one side.

To avoid this i keep my eyes on the mirror and has a lory tries to overtake i just ease the car and van towards the hard shoulder therfore creating a wider gap between the outfit and the lorry and it does not tend to drag the van over as much.

Have a great first trip and when you get back you will wonder what you ever worried about.

 



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18/8/2006 at 12:59pm
 Location: Tamworth Staffs
 Outfit: 1982 Lunar Sunbeam 450 4
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Quote: Originally posted by BoBo on 18/8/2006

Hi Gothika

One tip i was given when i first started towing was from my brother who is an HGV driver and also tows a caravan. if you on the motorway or dual carriagway experienced towers will tell you that it can be quite nerve racking when being overtaken by an artic lorry it creates a vacume and tends top pull the van to one side.

To avoid this i keep my eyes on the mirror and has a lory tries to overtake i just ease the car and van towards the hard shoulder therfore creating a wider gap between the outfit and the lorry and it does not tend to drag the van over as much.

Have a great first trip and when you get back you will wonder what you ever worried about.

 


If you are doing this, as well as checking your mirror, check the hard shoulder for the AA men, 'cos their your friends, wouldn't want to squish 'em!

-------------
Citreon Picasso 2.0 HDI pulling 1982 Lunar Sunbeam 450/4


18/8/2006 at 6:30pm
 Location: South Wales
 Outfit: None Entered
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We  are setting off for truro "carnon downs" peace and QUIET.......park looks abs lovely!! we did book for a tent pitch but upgraded at last moment!! park owners seem really nice...has anybody been to this one?

 No dout we'll be down st Agnes at one point or another so have a lovely time Bertie "5weeks"" you lucky buggers....this will be our forth holiday in cornwall, such a beautifull country..




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