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Subject Topic: Caravanning again..Help and advice please Post Reply Post New Topic
Persondeborah01
via mobile 15/8/2020 at 4:12pm
 Location: Northumberland
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Hi
We are thinking about buying a caravan again after 15 years. I am a 59 year old woman who hasnt towed since last caravan. Are there any other "older ladies"
out there who tow...would i remember what to do? Are there any courses available? Or am I too old and should forget it?


Personjg73
15/8/2020 at 5:03pm
 Location: Durham
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I say go for it, you're definitely not too old! I'm the same age and have shared towing duties for the last 30 years. We need more ladies towing caravans. Too many let their husbands/partners do the towing and then have to give up caravanning when something happens to prevent the husband/partner from driving.

Both the clubs do towing courses so book yourself on one if you need to refresh your skills.

Let's hope you're out caravanning soon!


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Personmarg6
15/8/2020 at 5:04pm
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its like riding a bike¬ you never forget, ok the roads are a bit busier but just leave yourself bit more room to complete a move. and use your mirrors more


PersonMonty15
15/8/2020 at 5:31pm
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Go for it girl!

Friend in her 60's tows as her husband has health issues, only recently moved up from a compact trailer tent to full sized caravan. Goes all over the country and clocked up thousands of miles.

Take one of the club courses to both boost your confidence and hone your skills, if nothing else the critique will show any areas you need to brush up on. You may have got a little rusty over 15 years, but unlikely you have lost previous skills completely.


Persondeborah01
via mobile 15/8/2020 at 6:54pm
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Thank you for your replies. I will let you know what I decide x


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Personsilvertopsandra
15/8/2020 at 9:50pm
 Location: North Devon
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Go for it!
I'm 69 and tow our van.

Our outfit is not huge

-------------
sandra


Personficklejade
15/8/2020 at 11:14pm
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NOT too old, I hadn't towed for 30 years and then last year was told that I'd need to tow our first aid caravan. Very nervous, our local rugby club let me use their car park to get used to it - length/width, turning and reversing. Go for one of the Club courses if you can - as others have said helps with your confidence - or there may be somewhere near you that trains people for advanced and other vehicle courses. We have one just over on the mainland and did me a course for half a day for under £50. As I've got to tow the van on our single track roads, that course was well worth the money!

Go for it.

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" When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"


PersonFlat at
16/8/2020 at 6:56pm
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I was your age when we took up caravanning as complete newbies, as already said " Go for it girl!"


Personnora
16/8/2020 at 7:36pm
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I’m not giving my age but older than many of your replies.
My husband no longer drives I tow in this country and in Europe . If your worried take a course . But as long as your car and caravan are compatible it should be fine .
Take it steady avoid B roads if possible . Don’t travel too far for your fist trip.
Good luck.


Personchatterdog
16/8/2020 at 8:22pm
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go for it, im in my 60s and i drive a 32' american coach motorhome (RV) left hand drive which i tow a small car behind when needed, used to be a 'snowbird' and stay in europe during winter till it was no longer possible in 2016 when mum and husband both took turns for the worse hense getting the caravan.
I also tow a twin axle caravan with my other car if attending rallies/meets during winter months on fields dont fancy the coach sinking in wet ground as due to looking after mum i couldnt go away during summer months and most of spring, but october onwards my sis would see to mum if i wanted to go away.
The best thing i did do though (and it was only because husband is now disabled and cannot guide me onto the tow hitch) was have a motormover fitted. Have to say i used to be quite smarmy about folk that had movers fitted - you know how it goes - if they cant reverse it they shouldnt tow it type thing - but boy it makes hitching and moving it on my own a walk in the park


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PersonSamandRose
18/8/2020 at 1:33pm
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Deborah, if you're not too old to drive a car then you're not too old to tow with one. Simple as.

The Camping & Caravanning Club advertise this as a 'confidence builder course' - which suggests that there must be lots of others in your position! I expect the Caravan & Motorhome Club offer something similar but don't have details.

https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/membership/benefits/courses/manoeuvrin........

But I agree with others that if you used to do it 15 years ago it will soon seem familiar. Caravans have changed over that time in terms of their appearance and design, but ultimately the way they behave on the road won't have changed much.

-------------
"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."


PersonMonty15
18/8/2020 at 5:58pm
 Location: London
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Caravan & Motorhome Club offer two courses, one for complete beginners and one for honing skills for those with towing experience.

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/advice-and-training/training-courses/caravan-towing-courses/

Whilst caravans have probably got heavier over the years, they've also improved in tow-ability in some respects, with suspension dampers, coupling dampers and anti-snake controls such as ATC becoming common fitments. The basic towing skills still remain the same though, so what was good 15 plus years ago are still perfectly valid now.


Personsandgrounder52
20/8/2020 at 8:26am
 Location: Southport
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Hubby and I took up caravanning in 2017 when we were both 59. Neither of us had towed before but we did the towing course together (excellent investment) and now we share the towing. I think you’ll enjoy it!

-------------
Mrs Pooter



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