I'm not a vehicle jumper, it takes me quite some time to settle into a new vehicle before I am not over thinking everything before it happens.
I have my Isuzu and I bought a 2011 Avan Mk II 11'6 Pop Top Expandavan for $22k including everything in it, all I need to take is my bedding and food. Lucky eh? I bought it because it was in my price range and it was the only interior that didn't make me feel depressed because of the colours. I think I was very fortunate to get this one, nice owners too. Originally I was going to just buy a Fridge/Freezer and get a good tent. The solution with the Fridge/freezer was to get a van.
Now I need to know how to tow this lady with electric brakes.
The towing course here in Sydney requires you to take your own van or pay $120 to hire theirs on top of the $595 course fee. I would have to learn on a different vehicle not mine.
I was wondering if their might be someone out there who would be willing to teach me everything they know about towing and vans, using my ute and van, happy to agree on a fee for your time.
My van is stored at Berrilee.
Thanks,
Naomi
Chris61 said
05:56 PM Jun 28, 2015
Hi Naomi,
I think first you have to be confident in your own vehicle.
I would suggest next time you are driving on a main road, (the ones with ripple strips on the fog line and cats eyes on the centre line. When there is minimal traffic around drive along the fog line with your left wheels so you can feel the ripple strips. Then drive over the cats eyes with your right wheels. Become at ease and confident with this and you will know where your car is own the road. Don't think that I have lost my marbles as when you tow a caravan you must realise that it is wider than your car and you will have to allow for this.
Next you will need to find an empty car park, preferably one with lines on it. Now reverse your car around the carpark using just your mirrors (you can look behind to make extra sure you are not going to hit any thing). Keep doing this until you feel comfortable and can do it with ease.
After you can do the above with ease, you may want to tow a small trailer (wider than your car) and go for a drive on some main roads. Do this when the traffic is light and just drive forward. You should now be confident using your mirrors so you can keep track of where your trailer wheels are.
If you know where you sit on the road and can use your mirrors to reverse and see where your trailer wheels are, you are ready to do your tow coarse or even try to go to the next step yourself.
I hope I have been helpful.
Dougwe said
07:20 PM Jun 28, 2015
Naomi, personally I would suggest you just do the course in your own tug and den. You will have confidence plus after it.
I remember doing advance driving courses in my own vehicle and also did 1 in a bus and 1 in a coach. Different in each vehicle.
Good luck and keep safe.
Woody n Sue said
08:14 PM Jun 28, 2015
Hi Nomes firstly I congratulate you on recognising that you need to learn a whole new set of driving skills when towing and I think both sugestions above are good I just feel that you would get the most from your towing course if you go even just a little prepared by doing some quiet driving practice first as Chris61 has suggested although I would suggest perhaps a more open quieter practice road, having said that I don't know how possible that is in your area, towing really is not that scary once you start like every thing practice makes it easier, and as Doug suggested do the course in your own tug n den that way you won't be wasting time and effort getting used to a strange tug.
Go girl you can do it
Netco said
08:49 PM Jun 28, 2015
Good luck and see you down the track sometime.
Aus-Kiwi said
10:42 PM Jun 28, 2015
When you've done this sort of thing all your life it seems easy...
The main things are braking distances .. If anything try to cruise to a stop..
Try to drive as straight as possible . Look further down the road for potholes etc
You cannot swerve around things like seperate vehicle ..
Keep wider coming out of corners .. Remember you have a tail and it tends to cut the corner a little ..
On good road by yourself about 40 kph do some firm braking so you get the feeeling ..
Be aware other motorists can pull over, changing lanes into your braking area..
Nomes said
07:42 AM Jun 29, 2015
Thanks for all your suggestions and encouragement.
Chris - I will follow that plan for sure. I have a Bunnings Tradie card so I can practice on their trailer. Thanks.
Kiwi - I hear you! Thanks.
The main problem with doing the course with my van is the distance between Berrilee (Galston) and Horsley Park, 50klm via the M7 with very narrow roads at the Berrilee end. Trying to get there on a Saturday morning is very daunting to me without a lesson first. Saturday morning driving in Sydney is just as bad as peak hour.
Strangely, I am not daunted by parking or reversing, mostly confidence in the towing and knowing what to do and what not do in an emergency.
I will still look for a tutor, there are lots of other things I need to learn about the van itself.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Cheers,
Naomi
Baplumber said
01:46 PM Jun 29, 2015
Nomes you wouldn't have a friend that that could either tow you're van with you're tug or go with you and give you a few hints on the way would you.
Brian
Nomes said
02:01 PM Jun 29, 2015
No Brian, my escape is a big secret until I am ready to go, I don't want to be talked out of it.
I am also thinking of putting a note on the board at the storage unit, might be someone there who might help.
I probably should have thought this out a bit more before buying the van but it was too good a deal to pass up.
Cheers,
Naomi
Dougwe said
02:14 PM Jun 29, 2015
At least you have asked in the right place Naomi, there is some knowledgable people on this forum and it hasn't been 24hrs since your request so someone might come along yet.
Maybe speak to the people that hold the course and just maybe they might know someone that could get you and your rig there, just a thought.
WobblyNut said
07:33 AM Jul 1, 2015
Onya Naomi.
Where are you . don't have to answer that here . If you are near Coffs.
I won't mind helping you out , I taught blokes how to handle trucks , semi's,
forklifts & cranes . The "Minister of Finances" & myself could help , IF you are
mid North Coast NSW .
Nomes said
03:48 PM Jul 1, 2015
Thanks Jack I would love to take you up on your offer but I'm in Sydney, 15klms from the CBD and my Van is at Galston.
Greetings,
I'm not a vehicle jumper, it takes me quite some time to settle into a new vehicle before I am not over thinking everything before it happens.
I have my Isuzu and I bought a 2011 Avan Mk II 11'6 Pop Top Expandavan for $22k including everything in it, all I need to take is my bedding and food. Lucky eh? I bought it because it was in my price range and it was the only interior that didn't make me feel depressed because of the colours. I think I was very fortunate to get this one, nice owners too. Originally I was going to just buy a Fridge/Freezer and get a good tent. The solution with the Fridge/freezer was to get a van.
Now I need to know how to tow this lady with electric brakes.
The towing course here in Sydney requires you to take your own van or pay $120 to hire theirs on top of the $595 course fee. I would have to learn on a different vehicle not mine.
I was wondering if their might be someone out there who would be willing to teach me everything they know about towing and vans, using my ute and van, happy to agree on a fee for your time.
My van is stored at Berrilee.
Thanks,
Naomi
Hi Naomi,
I think first you have to be confident in your own vehicle.
I would suggest next time you are driving on a main road, (the ones with ripple strips on the fog line and cats eyes on the centre line. When there is minimal traffic around drive along the fog line with your left wheels so you can feel the ripple strips. Then drive over the cats eyes with your right wheels. Become at ease and confident with this and you will know where your car is own the road. Don't think that I have lost my marbles as when you tow a caravan you must realise that it is wider than your car and you will have to allow for this.
Next you will need to find an empty car park, preferably one with lines on it. Now reverse your car around the carpark using just your mirrors (you can look behind to make extra sure you are not going to hit any thing). Keep doing this until you feel comfortable and can do it with ease.
After you can do the above with ease, you may want to tow a small trailer (wider than your car) and go for a drive on some main roads. Do this when the traffic is light and just drive forward. You should now be confident using your mirrors so you can keep track of where your trailer wheels are.
If you know where you sit on the road and can use your mirrors to reverse and see where your trailer wheels are, you are ready to do your tow coarse or even try to go to the next step yourself.
I hope I have been helpful.
I remember doing advance driving courses in my own vehicle and also did 1 in a bus and 1 in a coach. Different in each vehicle.
Good luck and keep safe.
Go girl you can do it
The main things are braking distances .. If anything try to cruise to a stop..
Try to drive as straight as possible . Look further down the road for potholes etc
You cannot swerve around things like seperate vehicle ..
Keep wider coming out of corners .. Remember you have a tail and it tends to cut the corner a little ..
On good road by yourself about 40 kph do some firm braking so you get the feeeling ..
Be aware other motorists can pull over, changing lanes into your braking area..
Chris - I will follow that plan for sure. I have a Bunnings Tradie card so I can practice on their trailer. Thanks.
Kiwi - I hear you! Thanks.
The main problem with doing the course with my van is the distance between Berrilee (Galston) and Horsley Park, 50klm via the M7 with very narrow roads at the Berrilee end. Trying to get there on a Saturday morning is very daunting to me without a lesson first. Saturday morning driving in Sydney is just as bad as peak hour.
Strangely, I am not daunted by parking or reversing, mostly confidence in the towing and knowing what to do and what not do in an emergency.
I will still look for a tutor, there are lots of other things I need to learn about the van itself.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
Cheers,
Naomi
Nomes you wouldn't have a friend that that could either tow you're van with you're tug or go with you and give you a few hints on the way would you.
Brian
I am also thinking of putting a note on the board at the storage unit, might be someone there who might help.
I probably should have thought this out a bit more before buying the van but it was too good a deal to pass up.
Cheers,
Naomi
Maybe speak to the people that hold the course and just maybe they might know someone that could get you and your rig there, just a thought.
Onya Naomi.
Where are you . don't have to answer that here . If you are near Coffs.
I won't mind helping you out , I taught blokes how to handle trucks , semi's,
forklifts & cranes . The "Minister of Finances" & myself could help , IF you are
mid North Coast NSW .