Maiden voyage

sueperswift
sueperswift Forum Participant Posts: 10
edited October 2016 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

Just planning our maiden voyage. Having never towed before. Obviously a little anxious. Would it be very silly/stupid/illegal or me to put one of those green 'new driver' stickers on the rear of the van. ? Thought it might alert other road users that I am
a 'newbie'advice please

Comments

  • sailorgirl2
    sailorgirl2 Forum Participant Posts: 153
    edited October 2016 #2

    Hi Sue, Well done for getting this far, we have all had to make the first step.If having the sticker makes you feel more comfortable go with it. By the time you arrive you will have conquered any  concerns you may have had.As long as you allow yourself plenty
    of time and don't try to hurry.Enjoy yourself ....SG2.

  • dmiller555
    dmiller555 Forum Participant Posts: 717
    500 Comments
    edited October 2016 #3

    Why not take the club's towing course. I did and thought it great value. We are currently on our first trip and the knowledge gained on the course has reduced the tension and eased the learning curve considerably. 

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited October 2016 #4

    Towing is not difficult provided you have the outfit set up correctly and you use decent towing mirrors. With the mirrors you can see the extra width and the one 5hing you need to watch is the caravan cutting in on slow corners. To start with allow extra
    room on the turn and check the caravan in the mirrors and you will soon get the hang of it.

    If using a club site let them know this is your first trip and you should get help. Do not be afraid to ask other caravanners if you have problems as most people are very happy to help.

  • black caviar
    black caviar Forum Participant Posts: 242
    edited October 2016 #5

    Superswift i think the green l is a brill idea for a new tower, 

    my hubby went on towing course and liked it so much he went back for the advanced one lol .... Yes stick your green just passed on if it gives you more confidence .. Enjoy your maiden voyage regards mrs bc:)

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #6

     ..... Obviously a little anxious. ..

    Don't be, it's only the same as solo .... you're just a bit longer and wider and slower Wink Just take your time, look further up the road eg incase
    you need to let someone through a narrow-ish road without blocking it, take your turns a little wider as the caravan will try to cut the corner off and obviously you're going to need a bit more road to stop. 

    You'll be fine ..... it's easy Cool

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited October 2016 #7

    Your holiday starts when you leave home, not when you arrive, so take your time. You mustn't be tempted to rush, reduce the number of lorry overtakes by going at their speed, certainly until you have settled down and got a feel for it.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited October 2016 #8

    Just remember to take a wider than normal route round a roundabout, and don't rush to get out of junctions or onto roundabouts before other vehicles. Enjoy your journey and try not to worry about what others think of your towing.

  • Jennyeb
    Jennyeb Forum Participant Posts: 36
    edited October 2016 #9

    Being new to towing! I worry about what do you do when driving on a motorway and you have a car or lorry approaching on a adjoining slip road and you can't move over because of fast oncoming vehicles . 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #10

    Being new to towing! I worry about what do you do when driving on a motorway and you have a car or lorry approaching on a adjoining slip road and you can't move over because of fast oncoming vehicles . 

    By rights it's up to them to give way to you, but in reality it's not uncommon for you to have to slow to let them in .... especially if they're in a white van

  • Mr H
    Mr H Forum Participant Posts: 356
    100 Comments
    edited October 2016 #11

    The Caravan course mentioned ealier, is very good and you learn some things allied to towing you may not know. Learning to park and reverse is done in a safe and worry free environment. Finally, if you take out the Caravan Club insurance you get a discount
    for attending the course. Win Win

    Good luck with your new venture.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #12

    Being new to towing! I worry about what do you do when driving on a motorway and you have a car or lorry approaching on a adjoining slip road and you can't move over because of fast oncoming vehicles . 

    By rights it's up to them to give way to you, but in reality it's not uncommon for you to have to slow to let them in .... especially if they're in a white van

    Write your comments here...I so agree with that ease up it won't cost you any more than a few seconds and especially when a slip road is on a left bend it's not always possible to see if you can pull out.  On Tuesday driving just the car a young woman tried
    to push me to let her in to the fast lane too cheeky for me and I got some hand signals for using my horn!  With the caravan though I am much quicker to ease up.  You will be fine.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited October 2016 #13

    If you go on u tube you will find a whole host of useful videos covering hitching, towing and pitching.

  • sueperswift
    sueperswift Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited October 2016 #14

    To everyone who has responded - THANK YOU. all very positive posts. I have attended the CC course, but still find it a little daunting reversing... Feeling a little more confident after reading what you all have to say. Again thanks for the encourageent.

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited October 2016 #15

    Reversing is 'fun' at times but will come with practise - you should always know the 'van is there, but with the right car/van combination and some common sense there won't be many things to worry about. Enjoy your new hobby. Nb Just come back from Yorkshire
    coast in pouring rain!

  • Rab
    Rab Forum Participant Posts: 15
    edited January 2017 #16

    Anyone joining a motorway by means of a slip road must by law treat it same as a give way at a major road you can,t just force your way out  you slot in when safe to do so even if that means THEY have to either slow down or speed up to join the inside lane without causing other people to brake or swerve. so providing you are travelling at a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you then it might be that you have to lift off just for a second to increase that gap to make it safe for them but that then causes the vehicle behind you to brake which is not good. so hold your own after all its them that are ASKING to join the motorway not you let them decide IF its goes wrong its them too blame don,t be shy 

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