Reversing confusion

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Comments

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited January 2020 #32

    I wouldn’t be able to drive if I didn’t, the optician has to inform the DVLA if I don’t. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2020 #33

    Tried that .... but by the time she's found the phone at the bottom of her handbag I could have pitched the caravan ..... 

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2020 #34

    My requests to my guider to 'look up' are often heard having watched a guider position partners van on the pitch near perfectly but then the driver creased the top rear panel on an over hanging tree bough whilst trying to 'gild the lily'.surprised

  • ChemicalJasper
    ChemicalJasper Forum Participant Posts: 437
    edited January 2020 #35

    ....though one might think after years of shouting out of the window "I can't see you, can you see me?!" the response might be to move rather than come back to the car to ask, "well where do you want me to stand?"

    especially as the answer is always "...anywhere you can see me and the back of the caravan!"foot-in-mouthlaughing

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited January 2020 #36
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • ChemicalJasper
    ChemicalJasper Forum Participant Posts: 437
    edited January 2020 #37

    ....I have found that setting up the go-pro as a rear view camera in the back window works well too when solo...when I can be bothered to do it.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited January 2020 #38
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2020 #39

    OH has kitted up the van with a rear view camera, warning bleepers and me...this combination seems to work. laughing

  • redface
    redface Forum Participant Posts: 1,701
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    edited January 2020 #40

    I'm so pleased to read this thread as I now realise that I'm not alone  

    Yes, it is nice to be a member of a large club who are not experts at everything.

     

  • crown green bowler
    crown green bowler Forum Participant Posts: 407
    100 Comments
    edited January 2020 #41

    Powrtouch  evolution,    the best one on site at reversing,  other makes are available.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited January 2020 #42

    Disabled wife so I just get out and have a look myself, get near as damn and then unhitch and use mover if I have to.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited January 2020 #43

     ... but  by the time I've found the caravan keys, gone inside the caravan  & lifted the front bench to turn the mover back on (it turns itself off after so long) found the mover handset, un-hitched .... I could reverse the caravan onto the pitch given enough room, which is often lacking on a club site. kiss

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited January 2020 #44

    On site I generally use the mover. I need it anyway to align the Alko Hub Lock

  • Rufs
    Rufs Club Member Posts: 4,072 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2020 #45

    paid £1k for mover, so why would i risk clutch burn out or possible divorce , so mover always for me laughing

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2020 #46

    My caravanning companion will assist if:-

    • The sun is shining
    • It is not raining
    • There is no wind
    • The ground is firm with no lying water
    • There are no midgies, birds, or dogs about
    • She is not wearing high heels.

    So I usually just get on with it and reverse as getting a "pass" on all six paramaters is very unlikely, then I get troubled by being told I didn't stop to let her out!

     

  • derekcyril
    derekcyril Forum Participant Posts: 408
    100 Comments
    edited January 2020 #47

    £1k for a mover !! Ide rather put up with my , not very good assistant .. After 30 years of shwbo  sending me the wrong way . I have probably spent more on scottitsh water to relax . Thinking about it , i may be wrong .

  • GeordieBiker
    GeordieBiker Forum Participant Posts: 45
    edited January 2020 #48

    Yes - since having a tow car with hands free phone operation we always use them when I’m reversing. Apart from easy communication it means my wife can move from side to side of the caravan to make sure that both sides will avoid any obstruction.

     

  • wendil
    wendil Forum Participant Posts: 23
    edited January 2020 #49

    Tony Burton if you read my question again you will find that it says ".... my husband disappears out of view". I'm always in the driving seat, whether its going forward or backwards in the UK or Europe. 

    Thank you all for your advice and looking forward to trying to explain some of then to hubby and putting them into practise.

    What are your thoughts on standing in front of the car and guiding from the front after inspecting where you want to reverse into?

  • bandgirl
    bandgirl Forum Participant Posts: 440
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    edited February 2020 #50

    If either of us attempt to reverse onto a pitch, it’ll usually be me, otherwise we use the motormover.  If the pitch is on the offside, and there’s plenty of room, I’m happy to give it a go.  OH is not great at giving directions, but at least he can’t blame me (as is usually the case for most things).

    After several years of having the caravan, with OH doing all the driving, I went on one of the club’s towing courses and found it really useful.  I don’t think you really understand, as a banks person (let’s be pc here), exactly what information the driver needs to help them reverse the caravan effectively until you’ve experienced doing it.

  • Kontikiboy
    Kontikiboy Forum Participant Posts: 304
    100 Comments
    edited February 2020 #51

    Hi all,

    I think that there is a more important stage before you get to this reversing action, involving your partner, that will make your reversing action a less stressful experience.    There are two things that can help you make a better job of parking your van;  first, try, if possible, to ensure you, the driver, are on the side where you can see the peg.     I see too many people trying to reverse from the blind-side and making a complete hash of it.  Even if it involves going around the block to get on the right side; and try and do a walking recce’ before you start.

    Secondly, try using your mirrors more, all 3 of them, instead of twisting in the drivers seat and looking back over your shoulder, which makes the manoeuvre more difficult, especially if you wear specs’.     This can be practiced in any empty car park, without your van, just like when you were learning to drive.   It needs practice.    Above all, don’t rush, take your time.    I hope this helps those of you who find reversing onto a pitch difficult.

    BillC

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited February 2020 #52

    I see too many people trying to reverse from the blind-side and making a complete hash of it.  Even if it involves going around the block to get on the right side; ....

    But the majority of Club site roads are just one way 😉

     

    Secondly, try using your mirrors more, all 3 of them,

    All 5 of them 😉 ... though all you see in one of them is the front of your caravan