Reversing confusion

wendil
wendil Forum Participant Posts: 23

Where should the "guider" stand while directing the driver when reversing the caravan? 

My husband and I have this "discussion" nearly every time we have to reverse.  As the rear of the  caravan swings when changing direction he disappears out of view in the wing mirror,  Someone once told me that the best place for the guider to stand is in front of the car and guide the driver from there. How do you avoid a disappearing guider and do you have and answer to our dilemma?

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Comments

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited January 2020 #2

    As the driver I want anybody guiding to be rear of the caravan but to one side such that they can view the corner furthest away from them.

    If I am swinging the caravan in such that the rear is swinging towards that drivers side. If the caravan is swinging towards the passenger side I want them on that side. stood so that they can see me in the appropriate mirror which means I can see them. If on site however I use the motor mover smile

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited January 2020 #3

    Just Bumping this up

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2020 #4

    To my mind if you disappear somewhere behind the caravan that is being reversed, you are no good at all to the driver. I always ask my wife (in the nicest way) to sidestep at the rear if necessary ensuring she can see my wing mirror on the appropriate side, if she can see the mirror then I can see her directions.

    After all this we mostly end up speaking to one another.wink

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,857 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2020 #5

    We used to have a caravan and Margaret always stood near to the post as her role was to make sure I didn't go too far back. Usually by the time I got as far back as the peg I was able to pull forward to straighten up so I could easily see the peg on the final reverse back. It's not such an easy thing to answer as it often depends on how much room you have and of course the competence of the driver when reversing. This is probably something which is covered on one of the towing courses the Club runs?

    I would sometimes cheat and use the moverwink

    David

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited January 2020 #6

    The only ‘rule’ needed is-if you can see the drivers face in one of the wing mirrors they can see you. If the C/van stops you seeing the drivers face in the mirror switch to the other side👍🏻😊

    PS-stick to this rule & all disagreements will be a thing of the past.

  • MikeyA
    MikeyA Forum Participant Posts: 1,072
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    edited January 2020 #7

    or move the peg!

  • Unknown
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    edited January 2020 #9
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  • Unknown
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    edited January 2020 #10
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  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2020 #11

    We used to do exactly as Rocky described when we had a caravan and it worked👍🏻  

    The other 'rule' is to keep hand signals simple and to a minimum. Arms flailing like a windmill help no one, although it can be entertaining for onlookers.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited January 2020 #12

    The only ‘rule’ needed is-if you can see the drivers face in one of the wing mirrors they can see you. If the C/van stops you seeing the drivers face in the mirror switch to the other side👍🏻😊

    But during the transit make sure that you first tell the driver to stop and inform him of your new likely whereabouts so that he knows which damned mirror to look at! surprised

    PS-stick to this rule & all disagreements will be a thing of the past.

    Now I know that you are talking tosh! wink

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited January 2020 #13

    It will be👍🏻😂

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,809 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2020 #14

    Ain’t that the truth!laughing

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited January 2020 #15

    1) the right partner will know you’ve moved-your face will no longer be in the mirror.

    2) having the right partner ensures their will be no disagreements👍🏻😊

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited January 2020 #16

    I find it easier to do it myself

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2020 #17

    I'm not sure she'd approve of me swapping partners 🙄

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited January 2020 #18

    Then don’t tell her

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2020 #19

    If I’m alone I just get on with it and stop every little while to check no one is hiding behind the van.  If OH is with me they stand at the rear of the van and shout if there’s a problem, I don’t need to see them

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited January 2020 #20

    I think that my partner is a vampire! Her face never appears in the mirror!

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2020 #21

    My good friend says "Left a bit" but doesn't specify whether she means her left, my left, car left, Caravan left, or actually right. 

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited January 2020 #22

    Try specsavers👍🏻

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited January 2020 #23

    I think you’d be surprised👍🏻

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited January 2020 #24

    If i am backing onto a left hand off side pitch i want to see her in the left mirror , if off side I want to see her in the off side mirrorcool 

  • TonyBurton
    TonyBurton Forum Participant Posts: 269
    edited January 2020 #25

    There seems to be an assumption here that the man is in the driving seat and the woman is somewhere near the back of the caravan. Has anyone  tried using a mobile phone while the driver's mobile is on hands free? It saves shouting! In any marriage or partnership communication is everything.

  • Unknown
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    edited January 2020 #26
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  • Unknown
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    edited January 2020 #27
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  • Unknown
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    edited January 2020 #28
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  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited January 2020 #29

    I always managed with a 40 ft trailer and up to now with a caravan. The secret is if unsure get out and have a look yourself. When you take a test with a trailer no one guides you.

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited January 2020 #30

    I get my eyes tested regular.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited January 2020 #31

    Ah, but do you ever pass those tests wink