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Subject Topic: two weeks and counting Post Reply Post New Topic
14/2/2013 at 3:42pm
 Location: nottingham
 Outfit: swift ace courier
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Cautiosly looking forward to two weeks on saturday when we pick up our very first caravan.

swift ace courier 2013

I have only towed a trailer at abot 8 foot long, this van is 24 foot long.

Any advice with regards to towing would be a very big help as feeling exceptionally nervous



14/2/2013 at 4:07pm
 Location: Maidstone Kent
 Outfit: Buccaneer Caravel - BMW X5
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Hi Jasonr01

Number of silly things spring to mind

Always check your tyre pressures and wheel nut torques before you go anywhere.  It only takes a few minutes and could save your life or a lot of damage.

When reversing, have someone behind you to shout "Stop"  It is surprising how easy it is to reverse into something because the back of the van is so far away.

Take all corners wide or else the van will ride over the kerb and you could take the side of the van out on a tree or lamp post.

Break early - it's surprising how hard it is to stop if you've left it too late.  4 tonnes of tow car and caravan do not stop on a sixpence.

Avoid narrow country lanes and low bridges. Measure the height of your van so you know your limits.

These are just a few ideas, and many other members will give you lots more tips from their experiences.

Be careful overtaking, you have another 30ft of vehicle behind you to get past everybody - don't cut in too quick or there will be a terrible mess.

Finally - Always take everything nice and easy and you will have an absolutely great time in it.

Happy Caravanning

Hope this helps

Cheers Fred



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Wish I'd retired years ago when I was young enough to enjoy it...........


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14/2/2013 at 4:47pm
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Adria Altea 542DT
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Excellent tips from Fred ^^^

Just take your time and don't get stressed !



14/2/2013 at 10:34pm
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Bailey Olympus 540-5
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Think about a towing course. My dh had towed our trailer tent but went on a c&cc course which he found very helpful indeed. Congratulations on your new van


15/2/2013 at 8:49am
 Location: nottingham
 Outfit: swift ace courier
View Jasonr01's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jasonr01 Reply   Quote Jasonr01 Quote  
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Thank you all for your advice.

had considered towing course but at £125 plus and not a 1 to 1 thought was a bit over the top.

Or am i Just being Stingy!!!

Would be interested to find out how many people have been on towing courses



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15/2/2013 at 9:12am
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Bailey Phoenix GT 75
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Welcome to the tin shed club Jason!

Towing courses are excellent, they have several instructors and work one to one part of the time.We both did one and found it useful.

Motor movers if not already fitted are very useful-save wear on clutches!

Make sure you have towing mirrors, its a legal requirement, and they do help, although you see many outfits without them.

If you use a satnav it may try to take you down unsuitable roads so use a map as well and apply common sense!

Enjoy your holidays!!



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DS-There's more to life than football!!!


15/2/2013 at 10:32am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
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Welcome. We scotch guarded our fabric upholstery. spray cans cheapest (amazon) as we had this done to our sofas at home and has saved us lots of stains. (we have kids and dogs). use in a well ventilated area though when you do it. i didnt want to put covers on our fabrics as i chose the van and the colour scheme and didnt want to hide any of it under throws.
Buy clamp on mirrors as opposed to those that attach with suckers, they seem to fall off too easily.
Just enjoy yourself. its your own 5 star hotel suite on wheels.


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life may not be the party we had hoped for, but whilst we are here, we might as well dance.....


15/2/2013 at 10:33am
 Location: south cheshire
 Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi
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When I started I had two lists - one had 'The things to do before starting off' and included all the hitching instructions, checking that the gas was off, etc. I found it helpful to know that all was done before setting off or coming back.

I had never towed anything until I had a caravan, so I tried a few trips around the block, then along the A roads, then finally onto a motorway. I had an experienced tower with me (my son who drives those big HGV's with trailers) and was confident enough to go out on my own after about an hour driving around local roads and our bit of motorway.

It feels like you are towing the town hall at first (even if it's a diddy thing like mine!) and you do need to be aware of your breaking distances and so on a bit more than when not towing, but apart from that, the only bit of a course I would find useful would be the reversing! Now I have a motormover, I can always disconnect and reverse that way if necessary.

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