Message Forums

We have our first van and have now completed just one night (practise run). We are doing our first weekend this weekend.

We towed o.k, we have a c max 1.8 petrol car, which max tow weight is 1200 in hand book but when I took the car weight, 85% of this is 1165 or something like that that, just over the laden weight of our van which is 900unladen and 1100 laden. Its a 2 berth eccles jade.

We have an alko hitch and although the car was o.kish I think eventually we shall need something with more umpph.

From reading the scary posts about snaking, I feel really worried about towing, especially being so inexperienced.  How should we pack our car and van to help, or what else bar driving sensible that will avoid snaking etc.

I have no idea about noseweights etc either.      

I read that the car should be heavier than the van but are we pushing it with our car.We have all our equipment such as windbreakers, microwave, tv, waster etc etc in the van . There are 2 adults in car, no kids. Should be load car more???      

Oh please don't worry toooooo much, coz these things are still rare, (thankfully), alnd while it's something that should be kept at the back of your mind so that you don't take dangerous chances, providing you are careful and do everything that you'll find on

Then scroll down to towing and then on the bit about stablizers you should be absolutely fine!

Just stick to the rules, which will become second nature with experience, and you'll have a great time and safe trip!

Only 8 weeks and 4 days to Heligan Woods and counting....every bl**dy one of 'em

Have a look here http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/technical.htm for some good advice, go to data sheets and select "safe for the road". The 85% rule is not the law although it is advisable to get as close to it as possible. Load your car and caravan sensibly as described in the data sheet, use a stabiliser, stick to the speed limits, brake in plenty of time and do not let other road users bully you into going faster than you need to.

In a very short time you will stop worrying about towing but always ensure that you stick to the common sense precautions that you learn now.

Good camping, Mike 

Find out the maximum nose-weight of your caravan (in the owner's handbook somewhere), and the maximum down-weight your tow-ball can take (usually marked on the tow-bar itself), and try to make your caravan nose-weight as close to the lower of the two figures as you can get it (but not over it!).  If you are concerned about the weight of the car (though at less than 85%, I wouldn't be), stick the awning in the car (perhaps on the back seat so you don't but too much weight directly over the rear wheels).  As for loading the 'van, other than taking care of the nose-weight, keep heavy items low and over the axle, and don't put anything heavy behind the axle.  Then hitch-up, double-check you have hitched properly, keep your speed to a level you are comfortable with (but remember that anything less than about 55mph on motorways and you will constantly be being overtaken by trucks - I'm happiest towing at 'truck' speed so that they aren't always passing me), and relax.  How many millions of miles do you suppose us caravanner do between us in a year, completely without incident?  Just remember the 'van in there and try to make manouvers smooth (ie - no sudden braking, accelerating, steering, etc).

Have a great time.

Follow hippys instruction above and you will be fine, as a general rule load all the heavy gear low and central in the caravan, Have a look at the tips and features sections and even print them off to use as guidelines.
We all had worries first time out and some of us still do at the start of each trip, thats what keeps us on our toes.
If you pay particular attention to -

 Essential Equipment
 Weight Watching! 
 Clever Packing
 Before Setting off on a Journey 
 Arrival On Site
The Use of Stabilisers 
This one is best to print out and keep in the caravan or car glovebox and hopefully it will never be needed  Changing a Tyre! (I used at easter for the first time since i started caravanning many years ago! )

Nosewieght gauges can be purchases for around £10 from caravan dealers and some car parts traders, this is a great bit of kit to have and will hopefully put your mind at rest over the correct balance of the caravan.
Going by the info provided then you are within the limits set for your car and caravan.
Take it easy and leave plenty of room in front of you, going round corners etc needs to be done slower than normal and using more road space, remember to leave room to get the van round without clipping the kerbs.
Most of towing is common sense. Check your mirrors often and be aware of the traffic around you, when taking off do slow slowly and smoothly, same as breaking, allow extra space and ease to a halt.
Above all have a great weekend away and when you get back update your profile and let us know how you get on.

Have a good one!

If you belong to either the Camping and Caravanning Club or Caravan Club, they run towing courses which might help boost your confidence.  They are held all round the country.

Just don't worry about towing.  I hate towing but then I hate driving too.  I always joke that if I towed our van I would leave a trail of destruction behind me!  But if I had to tow the van I would, I used to tow our FC fine.

Get that van out and enjoy it!

Jazzycats.

Quote: Originally posted by Jazzycats on 13/6/2006

---

If you belong to either the Camping and Caravanning Club or Caravan Club, they run towing courses which might help boost your confidence.  They are held all round the country.

Just don't worry about towing.  I hate towing but then I hate driving too.  I always joke that if I towed our van I would leave a trail of destruction behind me!  But if I had to tow the van I would, I used to tow our FC fine.

Get that van out and enjoy it!

Jazzycats.

---

You don't have to be a member to go on the course.  We've both done the CC one and we're not members.  I don't know about the C&CC, which we are members of, because theirs were too far away anyway. Well worth doing one though if you can.  The CC one was a day and a half for £82.50 and I feel so much more confident.

Luger, good luck - we're on our first weekend this weekend, too, before we go on holiday in three weeks. How far are you going? We're only going about 15/20 miles as it's just a trying-it-out trip. I've got the dealer's phone number programmed into my phone in case we have any problems!

Nora

That's a good idea Papa Pip, never thought of that!  I've seen courses down my way fairly often or maybe that's because I don't live very far from the Caravan Club HQ.  And with one to one tuition you probably have'nt got lots of other people watching you!

Luger - I'm sure if you went to a meet you could get some advice from someone there too.  I went to a Trailer Tent & Folding Camper meet last year and they were some of the friendliest people I've met!

Don't give up and let us know how you get on.

Jazzycats.

Quote: Originally posted by Jazzycats on 14/6/2006

---

That's a good idea Papa Pip, never thought of that!  I've seen courses down my way fairly often or maybe that's because I don't live very far from the Caravan Club HQ.  And with one to one tuition you probably have'nt got lots of other people watching you!
Thanks, up here the courses are rarer than Hens teeth so many folks have started to look through the yellow pages for instructors. Not sure but for those looking for instructors the local Driving Examiners Office may have a list of these, or possibly the local Council Information Service if your area has one.

Luger - I'm sure if you went to a meet you could get some advice from someone there too.  I went to a Trailer Tent & Folding Camper meet last year and they were some of the friendliest people I've met!

Almost certain, like you Jazzycats I have been on a few meets and the people are very friendly, helpful, and there is a great feeling of friendship with those we have already met and those we have not met before, in most cases it feels as if we have known each other for decades, such is the way with ukcampsite members meets. Sometimes wish we could go to them all but living in the real world does have its restrictions!  But never fear, its a holiday everyweekend on here!

Don't give up and let us know how you get on.
Jazzycats.

---

Hi luger

Welcome to another new Tin Tenter you have already taken the most dificult step of any jouney "the first one" all you need is practice and as we all "UKCS" know practice makes perfect, just the other members have said just take your time, and most of all enjoy it, Note the wise words of wisdom from "Papa Pip" our revered and all wise one, it will be all part of your future Caravaning experience.

Happy Caravaning to you and yours

Regards

Woggle

Hi

We are new to towing a caravan, we had a folding camper before which was a doddle. I have to say it was much easier than I originally thought.

My advice

Take your time

Dont rush

relax a bit and just enjoy !!!!!

Rob

Quote: Originally posted by cathrobjay on 18/6/2006

---

Hi

We are new to towing a caravan, we had a folding camper before which was a doddle. I have to say it was much easier than I originally thought.

My advice

Take your time

Dont rush

relax a bit and just enjoy !!!!!

 

Rob

---

Quote: Originally posted by Woggle on 18/6/2006

---

Hi luger

Welcome to another new Tin Tenter you have already taken the most dificult step of any jouney "the first one" all you need is practice and as we all "UKCS" know practice makes perfect, just the other members have said just take your time, and most of all enjoy it, Note the wise words of wisdom from "Papa Pip" our revered and all wise one, it will be all part of your future Caravaning experience.

Happy Caravaning to you and yours

Regards

Woggle

---