Thanks Mick ..it got really confusing with the opposite locks etc ..this makes sense.
One last question ( hope you don't mind).
When you reverse do you disconnect the stabiliser ? On the towing course they had an alko stabiliser but the locking handle was always in the upright position as they said it makes reversing easier?
When I did my class one the Instructor used a phrase that has stuck in my head forever ... If trying to get a trailer / van in to a tight space and rather than struggle " dont be a c**t have a shunt" !!!
It is far better to do a couple of shunts rather than get stuck at an awkward angle.
And whereever possible reverse where you are looking out of the drivers side window so you can see exactly where your trailer/van is going,rather than doing a blind side reverse .
Quote: Originally posted by trog100 on 22/9/2016
avoiding tricky reversing manoeuvres is a good reason for buying a motor mover.. :)
trog
There may be a time when you have to do a reverse move on the road, where you can't use a motor-mover. Anyway, they cost more than I paid for my caravan.
I too went on the towing course in the nineties. It gave me so much confidence. When you have reversed a couple of times it will be easy.
I just use my mirrors and I just say to myself ..
Right hand down, back end goes left....left hand down, back end goes right.
Quote: Originally posted by Jax365 on 22/9/2016
I have tried and tried to reverse my very small caravan without much success! If I can, I go around in a circle to get the caravan where I want it to be... or use the motormover. :)
The smaller the trailer, the harder it is. To a point its virtually impossible. Ideally your trailer/van will be at least as long as your tow car. Even better if its half again or twice as long. Gives you so much more time to adjust as its moving.
But, its practice. Doing it once every couple of months once on site isnt enough. Especially when there is an audience and you have locked the wheels in exactly the same place for the fourth time, and folk are coming out with their chairs and a beer for the entertainment.
Very true. Mine is very small, only the same size as the car!
Mines actually shorter than the tug, but like they say practice makes perfect.. not that I'm perfect but it does get easier.
All this hand at the bottom of the steering wheel stuff just does your head in. and with a short caravan you soon find out if your steering wheels going in the right direction or not.
One plus point with a small caravan .. it's a lot easier to un couple and coin round if you did get into a real bind.
Quote: Originally posted by mikim on 22/9/2016
Thanks Mick ..it got really confusing with the opposite locks etc ..this makes sense.
One last question ( hope you don't mind).
When you reverse do you disconnect the stabiliser ? On the towing course they had an alko stabiliser but the locking handle was always in the upright position as they said it makes reversing easier?
Nope. Usually just roll up and back in (after consulting with the mrs where she wants the door to be facing). I've never been 'told' to raise the stabiliser, so no idea if im in the wrong or not, to be honest. It still backs up easy enough, either way.
I've been on the course as well,great confidence booster, I would say go very very slowly and you can put it anywhere. Start again if you make a mistake or get flustered, and use the motor mover, it's paid for,!!! Use it x
If it makes you feel more relaxed about reversing read on: If you ask any Artic driver about reversing he will tell you this: You can only to use your mirrors to do this before you can pass the test, the shorter the trailer the harder it is, if the trailer axle is stuck on the back of the trailer - long or short you need a PHd, if it has multiple axles a child of 11 can do it, if you have a caravan you need to adopt completely different techniques and often the narrow lanes on a caravan site make reversing a van in not worth the effort and risk of damage - use the mover or get out and push it in with the help of all those lovely helpful campers.