Easy access
Hi All,
We are looking to buy a caravan but my little niggle is access to sites and single track roads. I think I would struggle to reverse a caravan initially. What's the reality like?
Best Answers
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The first thing is to buy a caravan with a motor mover. That will help a lot when pitching or when moving the caravan around in tight spaces, especially when storing it.
As far as single track roads and reversing are concerned, you just have take these as you find them. There are courses that the club runs that will build your confidence, and I would recommend going out at the weekend and finding deserted business parks to practice in. My wife and I did that with our first caravan, and I've often wondered what the security cameras recorded. I'm half expecting to see us on one of these 'gotcha' type telly programmes!
Other than that, plan your trips carefully so that the early sites you visit have good access, read site reviews, and take your time. If a bus or lorry can get through, so can a caravan.
The reality is that its not as scary as you might think, and the freedoms that being a caravanner bring will pay dividends.
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In 40 years of being a member I don't think I have come across many main Club sites with really difficult access roads, although I have not visited all sites in the network. CL's are a different matter so require extra planning. You can use things like Google Maps or Google Earth to check the route and to decide if you are happy with the approach.
David
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Exactly as TimboC says. In over 25 years of towing I can't remember any times I've had to reverse 'in earnest' on a road outside of a site. If you use club sites then access to sites is always good, the directions as given will be tried and tested over many years and updated, and you should have no trouble.
As for single track roads the nest way to avoid those is preparation. Look at your route, check it out using google maps and street view. Don't over rely on sat nav or your phone's/car app as it won't know you're towing so may take you down the quickest way which might not be for suitable for a caravan. I remember one time we used our sat nav for the approach to the Warwick site rather than the instructions and ended up in Sainsbury's car park next door.
I had the same worries when I first started but the more you tow the more confident you'll become so (like us) start out on sites close to main roads. If in any doubt ring the wardens on the site as well.
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Answers
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We have been towing caravans for about forty years and apart from one instance when we took a wrong turning in Wales have not had to reverse on the road. The only reversing we normally do is pitching on site and we have a motor mover for tricky pitches. The club pitches now have two pegs which you have to pitch between which has made reversing in far easier though.
Reversing does need a bit of practice and concentration to get it right but if there are two of you and the second person directs it easy enough. A motor mover gives peace of mind though and I would advise one. One of the clubs towing courses is costly but should be worthwhile.
Most sites will have directions avoiding difficult roads and if you follow them rather than a sat nav you should not encounter any problems for most sites. Where there is need for care the directions will normally warn you. Do not use sat nav as this can take you down unsuitable roads and may not even take you to the entrance in odd cases.
If you have any doubts about a site check the access on Google Earth, this will normally show up any problems and help you identify the entrance easier.
Towing is not that difficult in practice, just take it easy at first and when taking slow corners go a little wide, as the caravan will cut in. You can check this in the mirror as you turn to keep safe.
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Some sites do have single track or narrow access but you are unlikely to meet another oncoming leisure vehicle because of controlled access and departure times. Nevertheless, do learn to reverse and practice as TimboC suggests, you never know when you may need the skill.
peedee
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But DO learn to reverse comfortably. A short van is harder than a long van (so I am told - we have a 12 ft van). I had to reverse most of the length of the hull ferry, right next to the central tunnel earlier this year, and reverse a fair way up a hill when an accident blocked the road, so you do need to do it without using a motor mover occasionally. But as said earlier, do fit a MM, they are a godsend on sites and for getting into storage / your drive.
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