Caravan Rear End Swing
Hi all, never towed before and I'm picking up a new caravan tomorrow 
. Only have to tow it around a mile or so to get it back
home but.......the approach to our street is a little narrow and then quite a tight turn (right hand) into the street itself. How far does the back end of a caravan (ours is 24', Sprite Major 6TD) swing out when doing a relatively tight turn. The reason for
asking is that there is an obstruction (crash barrier) on the pavement (left hand side pavement as approaching the street prior to turning right) and I'm concerned about the back end of the caravan hitting it?
Thanks in advance, any reassurance would be appreciated.
Comments
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At worst, a right angle bend, the caravan will swing out by the amount of the overhang behind the axle, probably around 10ft in your case. Best to have someone watch out for you if you're uncertain. If all else fails you may have to unhitch to negotiate
the bend.0 -
Not sure if this link will show you my concern? A right turn into the street shown.
Hopefully someone will say "No problem, could do that with your eyes closed".
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At worst, a right angle bend, the caravan will swing out by the amount of the overhang behind the axle, probably around 10ft in your case. Best to have someone watch out for you if you're uncertain. If all else fails you may have to unhitch to negotiate
the bend.Mmmmmm, only got a couple of foot swing at most I'd say. Definately getting someone to watch me the first time I try it.
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If it's into West street from Bower lane then yes it will be OK, just move slightly out to middle of the road before the turn but don't attempt to cut the corner, else you'll be in another situation. As the road has middle markings it has a good minimum width, but agree its not the best of turns.
Have someone watch you and after a few goes you'll be zipping around there 
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Thanks for the vote of confidence DaveFL2. At least I can see down the right hand side to see if I'm going to clip anything, but the caravan rear (passenger side) is going to be completely blind. As you say, I was considering moving towards the centre of
the road before making the turn. I'll be taking it real slow tomorrow.Thanks everyone for the advice so far
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As a turn is made the trailer will track tighhter to the curve than the towing vehicle. That is why cyclists who go up the inside of a turning artic get themselves squashed.
This effect means that while the rear of the trailer swings out relative to its own axle it is often not to much more than the swing of the front overhang on the towing vehicle.
Very interesting to look at tyre marks in snow.
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Never had trouble with the rear swinging out. With the caravan parked fairly close to two others in storage it follows the car fairly well and in a tight turn what you have to watch is the inside wheel cutting in as Navigateur says. You can watch that with
the mirrors though but someone to watch the rear might still be a good idea.You do need to watch the cut in first time out to get the hang of it. Once you have got the measure of it then all should be well.
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So.......approached the turn to the right and pulled up. Got the missus out the car, and before she was in position I'd done the turn. She reckons that there was about 3 foot to spare between the back end and the barrier. That was with me positioned over
towards the centre of the road prior to turning.So, todays drive back out of the street should be OK as well
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A three point turn with a caravan. This I gotta see.
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Seen that before. Certainly got a handle on this reversing lark.
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A three point turn with a caravan. This I gotta see.
Write your comments here...You sell the tickets CY, I will do the turn!.
See how you compare with this one ........
clicky not quite a 3
point turn but similarWrite your comments here...Molly I bet you have and can still do a 3 point turn . Remember you told me your farm days background!.
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If you find it a struggle due to the junction layout and any slope or camber makes it difficult to unhitch and push there is always the fall back of getting a motor mover fitted. It would be quite handy anyway on a 24ft caravan. With a single axle caravan
unhitched you can spin it on the spot.0 -
A three point turn with a caravan. This I gotta see.
Write your comments here...You sell the tickets CY, I will do the turn!.
See how you compare with this one ........
clicky not quite a 3 point turn but similarWrite your comments here...Molly I bet you have and can still do a 3 point turn . Remember you told me your farm days background!.
But it's been over 35 yrs since I last drove a tractor
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A three point turn with a caravan. This I gotta see.
Write your comments here...You sell the tickets CY, I will do the turn!.
See how you compare with this one ........
clicky not quite a 3
point turn but similarWrite your comments here...Molly I bet you have and can still do a 3 point turn . Remember you told me your farm days background!.
But it's been over 35 yrs since I last drove a tractor
Write your comments here...Your still a young Un! .
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A three point turn with a caravan. This I gotta see.
Write your comments here...You sell the tickets CY, I will do the turn!.
See how you compare with this one ........
clicky not quite a 3
point turn but similarThat is what you call a profesional driver. Four wheel draw bar trailers are really hard to reverse
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A three point turn with a caravan. This I gotta see.
Been there - done that - still ringing sweat out of the T shirt
Reminds me of a couple of years ago. Reverse into a pul in up to a locked gate to do a turn. 4 cars waiting, steep bank on the road in front of the car. Very tight about an 8 point turn. Pulled away amid cheers and waves. Did I feel proud? No I thought 'why
the hell didn't I just use the mover and save the sweat'?0 -
Thanks for the vote of confidence DaveFL2. At least I can see down the right hand side to see if I'm going to clip anything, but the caravan rear (passenger side) is going to be completely blind. As you say, I was considering moving towards the centre of
the road before making the turn. I'll be taking it real slow tomorrow.Thanks everyone for the advice so far
Write your comments here...Hi. How come you will be "blind"? Wont you have the required towing mirrors on BOTH sides of your car or am I missing something?
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