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Topic: On my own

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tag 18

05/7/2011 at 4:10pm
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Avondale Eagle

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I'm just back from a 2 day visit to the caravan club site in Edinburgh, was is so remarkable about this you wonder, I went on my own with my two boys and managed to get the caravan on the pitch with just some assistance from my 9 year old son. Normally I meet up with my sister and her husband and they help me get on my pitch etc.

I had asked the staff if they could have help if I ran into difficulties and they were very willing to help but I wanted to give it a go myself, so I was over the moon when I managed it. Don't get me wrong if someone had offered when I was having difficulty get the caravan unhitched I would have taken them up on the offer.

I understand how difficult it is for people as you never know when to offer your help or not, but as a single female with 2 children I will accept any assistance gratefully.

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HEJC72

05/7/2011 at 4:16pm
Location: North Yorkshire
Outfit: Holi * Perran 4 * Airedale 5

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Glad you had a good time.

I have just returned from a 3 night break at a beautiful CS - this is the second time I've been there on my own with my 2 younger boys.
I even mananged to reverse in a straight line onto the pitch this time!!
The feeling of accomplishment is immense and it has given me the confidence to venture further afield next time!

Happy camping!

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Helen xx
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tag 18

05/7/2011 at 4:22pm
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Avondale Eagle

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Hi Helen, fantastic that you managed the reversing, that's my next project.I'm going to take the caravan down to the B&Q car park with a couple of cones and just practice reversing. It was ok on that site because it is flat and the caravan is light. Your are right about building up your confidence, I have only ventured to sites around 60-75 minutes away but will go further next time.

I've been following some of your posts, did you get a water heater fitted?

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HEJC72

05/7/2011 at 8:04pm
Location: North Yorkshire
Outfit: Holi * Perran 4 * Airedale 5

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Not a water heater but I now have pumped cold water in the van which is fab!!!
Made life SOOOOO much easier for things like getting drinks and doing the washing up.
I still need to boil the kettle to get hot water but I can live with that!

I still need loads more reversing practice but I am getting better - fortunately my van is so light that I can just push her in to place and the CS was spacious with level pitches!!

You have been braver than me - I have only stayed at sites within 30 minutes drive of home so far - lol!!

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Helen xx
Mini Mad Mum

Mrs Mop

05/7/2011 at 8:36pm
Location: Callington Cornwall
Outfit: Willerby Salsa

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Well done, I wish I had the confidence to tow.

HEJC72

05/7/2011 at 8:42pm
Location: North Yorkshire
Outfit: Holi * Perran 4 * Airedale 5

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Towing wasn't actually as scary as I thought it would be.
I was a bit nervous but I got into the car telling myself this was something I COULD do.
First time I towed, my OH (who has been towing for years) sat in the car next to me. Next time I was in the car on my own but he followed me so he could see if I was doing anything wrong (apparently I was doing very well!)
Third time I was on my own and off I went!

I am now planning to venture a bit further away but will never tow too far - there are plenty of beautiful sites to visit close to home!

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Helen xx
Mini Mad Mum

listerdiesel

05/7/2011 at 9:10pm
Location: Rushden Northants
Outfit: Mercedes 614D Conversion

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Good to see the girls getting a look in for a change!

Peter

alan126

05/7/2011 at 9:41pm
Location: West Scotland
Outfit: Fleetwood Garland and Almera

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good on you girls, did my 1st solo trip last week since my co-driver and mum passed away over a year ago and after 50 miles my confidence returned, van was solid as a rock, i was relaxed, had a great holiday... the van is staying

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adsheadv

05/7/2011 at 9:47pm
Location: Manchester
Outfit: Vango Inspire 600

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Well done you! Now you've done it once there'll be no stopping you

Wish I was more confident. I'm fine towing, it's just the getting the van onto the pitch bit that scares me - can't reverse to save my life & the van's too heavy to push in on my own. Must get myself on a course - it'd make life so much easier.

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Vanessa
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tag 18

05/7/2011 at 10:33pm
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Avondale Eagle

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To all you who are apprehensive, go for it. I was very nervous but my husband doesn't like caravanning, but I love my wee caravan, so it was either give it up or go for it. I had a tricky tow home last year, caravan was snaking but I just slowed right down and got home safely, I blocked out that I was holding people up, better than having an accident. I didn't let it put me off, just got a better tow car.

Helen got mixed up, I have not managed to get my water pump working(whale foot pump type), I am going to post a new topic on it and see if anyone can help.

Happy towing

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Bill Terry

05/7/2011 at 11:13pm
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2 words!
Well done!

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Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!

nant mill.N/Wales
just dont go there.

tag 18

05/7/2011 at 11:22pm
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Avondale Eagle

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Thanks

Sorry Helen re-read my last message to you, it should have read ' Helen, I got mixed up....' oops

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Jax365

06/7/2011 at 9:11am
Location: south cheshire
Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi

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Well done from another lone lady caravaner!

My caravan is also very lightweight, but I couldn't manage to pitch it by myself if I had to reverse it, or move it by hand as I have back probs. Looking at the price of motor movers is scary so no chance of that either!

I usually drive around until I can find a space I can drive into, then unhitch. I sometimes have a friend with me, but have done the whole thing from start to finish by myself.

A good way I found of reversing back to the tow hitch is to 'plant' a bamboo cane where the hitch is so that you know where it is. I do that at home when hitching up, and ask for help to hitch up on sites.

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Plossl

06/7/2011 at 10:13am
Location: Ipswich
Outfit: Vango Sigma 300+ & Orchy 400

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Quote: Originally posted by Jax365 on 06/7/2011

A good way I found of reversing back to the tow hitch is to 'plant' a bamboo cane where the hitch is so that you know where it is. I do that at home when hitching up, and ask for help to hitch up on sites.

I also do that and I have been towing caravans/trailers for years

Another tip I was given when reversing is if there is more of the caravan/trailer in the righthand mirror then turn the steering wheel to the right. The same with the lefthand mirror. Very small steering movements are best when reversing a caravan/trailer. Try and position yourself so that you are literally reversing in a straight line on to your pitch/driveway You also don't have to be able to complete the reverse in one movement,if you need too, take a shunt Practice practice and more practice is the answer. Most towers only tow a couple of times a year so they don't get the practice that is needed. HTH's Steve

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Nothing nada zilch no camping this year boohoo

dinx

06/7/2011 at 4:02pm
Location: north east
Outfit: sprite alpine 4

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hi well done i also tow solo a lot of the time, usually meet up with friends on site all females who tow their vans.we have been as far as dorset,new forest plymouth,somerset, off to keswick cc+c club site friday can't wait even though forecast for rain.

ela1

06/7/2011 at 8:51pm
Location: Doncaster
Outfit: Avondale dart Godiva SOLD

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Well done, I've not yet plucked up the courage to tow our van on my own...don't get me wrong I am a good driver but never having towed on the motorway, well this just gives me nightmares. Really well done and carry on. Maybe one of these weekends I will tackle it it on my own. by the way originally from Glasgow so "good on you hen"!!!!

Elaine

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Elaine
Clumber feb 1/2 term
clumber april 2011
May Clumber
May Scarborough
August Corfe Castle and any other weekend i can manage!

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