DOES ANYONE KNOW OF SOMEONE WHO CAN PROVIDE 1:1 LESSONS FOR TOWING/BACKING?  I'VE JUST TAKEN DELIVERY OF A NEW VAN & I CAN'T TRAVEL TO OR CONCENTRATE FOR THE FULL DAY COURSES! I LIVE IN A NORTHERN SUBURB OF MELBOURNE! THANKS! CHEERS! KATH

Welcome and Hi.

If you haven't towed before.

MAKE TIME FOR TRAINING, and instruction.

It's not a 6 x 4 you got hanging of the back.

There would (should be ) Plenty of instruction courses. Week day and W'End's.
avail down there.

Also.
An indication of what you towing. and what with,
Would be helpful for advice too.

The law is getting very picky about vanners being under weights, lengths, etc.
Nowadays.

Sort it before you start.

If van to heavy for tug, etc.
Dealer at fault if he knows what you using.
Most ask.

And enjoy.
it's a great life. Working, and touring.

Empty shopping car parks and the bay lines a good start.

Best little advice I give to most starting.
Is learn to use your mirrors.
AND.

If you put your hand on BOTTOM. of steering wheel.
The REAR of CARAVAN.
will go the way you turn the wheel.

IN REVERSE ONLY.... Chuckle.

Go further forward than what you think you should..
To Make sure you ARE in line with trailer.
turn wheel in small increments, and keep speed down.

Have fun.

Thanks Macka! That's very useful information1  I've got a Mazda CX5 & a light weight Avan Aspire555!  Yes the van man ensured it was all correct weight[legal requirement!]  Just lacking some confidence & time for practice but I'm sure it will all get sorted over the coming months!   Cheers!  Kath

Hi Kath - I am exactly the same. Just buying a Jayco Penguin and never towed before . Aaaaagh! I know I can do it- I just need confidences

Hi Ruth-good to know there are other people in the same solo boat! Which state do you live in? Maybe we could do maiden trip together?  Cheers! Kath

Kath, to get some travelling company and instruction you can join a caravan club. There will be plenty of members in that who can assist you. Possibly you can find someone who will go with you to an empty car park. Take a dozen or more empty drink tins with you for markers/aimers.

List of Victorian Clubs. You should find a suitable club in that list. If the first one you look at does not seem to suit then try another.

Hi Everyone,
The advice given here is excellent. All good tips.

I think you never stop learning. I too had no idea how to tow or back when I got my van. I rang To-Ed and told them what I wanted to learn (how to tow a van, how to back a van and how to tow a van Off-Road).  They tailored a course specific to my needs and it was the best thing I could have done to educate myself.

I'm sure if you spoke to them (or any accredited teaching company) that they could do something to suit your needs too. I found that this way, I wasn't bombarded with well wishing people giving all types of different (and conflicting) advice. It gave me a solid base for my knowledge and therefor the confidence to get out there and just do it.

The other key is practice, practice and more practice. As mentioned previously, empty car parks are useful and what I do when I'm out camping is if I arrive or leave camp and I find I'm on my own, I take that opportunity to practice too. Always easier without an audience ! ! ! This will build up your confidence too as trust me, an audience will usually pop up out of nowhere whenever you put your tug and rig into reverse.....trust me.....Hahahah

I wish you well (both you Kath and Ruth) and are happy to see more ladies doing it for themselves. Go Girls.

Regards Panther (Rose).

Just ONE little advisory.

Short tow bars.

Equates to very quick turns.

Watch the rear corners of trailer in the mirrors..

as soon as you "sense" it starting to grow in your vision.
Give wheel a little the other way. (A LITTLE)
If you wait till you SEE it.
It's too late.

Have fun.
And remember.
Slowerer.. IS Betterer.

PLUS.

You'll ALWAYS stuff it. WHEN others watching you.

I've been doing it fot over 50 yrs, some professionally.

I still stuff it (But would NEVER admit to it.)

Always with other eyes there.

Hi  Kathleen, I posted this a while back and if you are brand new to the caravaning thing, you might find it helpfull.

Anyway, have a safe journey.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BACKING your van in beside a slab is, "EASY"

Simmo's Tip of the day

(A)  Measure the over all width of your van tires from outside  to outside.

(B)   Get your hands onto a piece of rope about 8 Ft to 10 Ft   long. 

(C)  Lay the rope on the ground the same distance as (A), from the slab.

(D)   Now it is a simple exercise to back in putting your Van wheels on the rope, looking out of your drivers side instead, of trying to follow the Mrs confusing signals on the passengers side.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR ADVICE--I'VE BEEN OTHERWISE OCCUPIED WITH FAMILY FROM OVERSEAS SO WILL BE RE-READING & PUTTING INTO PRACTISE SOME OF YOUR HELPFUL ADVICE AT THE END OF THE MONTH! 

We live in SE Melbourne & if you are considering trips away or want to tag along on one of our trips at one of our locations (we usually go to multiple locations), then would be happy to help teach you reversing your van. Sitting alongside someone reversing a van can also help as you can listen to & watch what they do. Practice is the key. We also do some weekend trips, so get used to reversing all the time.

Just message us here if you are interested in getting some help.

Regards

Bob & Deb

And if you have a 4wd with low ratios, change down as it makes it so much easier - things happen slower.
I also like to sometimes start off in low ratio particularly on slopes - easier on the clutch. If you're not familiar with this, Just check your vehicle's manual for how to move between them.

And I guess backing is a bit like anchoring a boat - everyone else already in place is watching you - either openly or secretly.

Here is a tip for those that have trouble backing a trailer..

Watch the trailer in your side mirrors and to keep it going straight ease your steering wheel towards the mirror you see the trailer getting out of line in..

Practice makes perfect..

Applies to a caravan also..

Big Gorilla - wouldn't it get out of line in both mirrors?

Except in one mirror you will be seeing more of the side of the trailer than in the other.

I would put it: If you are seeing more and more of the 'van/trailer side in one mirror, with your hands on the upper part of the steering wheel, ease the steering wheel towards that mirror.

The opposite applies if you actually want to turn the 'van - to make the side appear in mirror on the way you want it to go, ease the wheel to opposite mirror.

turn wheel left - van will go to the right

turn the wheel to the right - the 'van will go left.

The exact opposite as a tiller on a boat

HappyJack, this procedure was in the Forum a long time ago and I copied it because I'm not the best on reversing with a trailer. I haven't tried it with a caravan. All I can say is that it works for me and my trailer...

Hi guys,

Just adding my 2 cents worth here as a solo female traveller.  (and one who knows her physical strength & towing limitations.)  I considered many options when thinking about this very same subject :-  towing a caravan as I cannot reverse (or park) a trailer, never mind towing a caravan and all the skills required that goes with it. Good on those who take the challenge on, I take my hat off to you!

For me, after much searching & deliberation it was a Toyota 4X4 with a slide-on camper to GO!   It comes with all the creature comforts including a shower/toilet. It is roomy, stable & versatile (no chipboard) and follows me everywhere without a bother.  Takes five minutes to raise up with GAS struts (only needs one person)  and I am sitting comfortably inside or out in less time than it takes most (even the most experienced) to backup, unhitch and set up a caravan or camper.  

Bush camping is a breeze as it is self contained and no trouble to fit into very small spaces.  We have all experienced at one time or another the "comedy of errors" when it comes to getting in and setting-up in many caravan parks these days.   One Park manager once told me he uses a tractor to reverse vans in his park because the sites are so small and the turning circle of his tractor is far better!!! ( Good luck in finding a 'kind & caring' park manager as they are rarer than hens teeth.)

Happy travels and once again stay safe as the roads are getting busier & busier these days.

PS:-  I am not promoting any particular type of slide-on camper, just providing you information on the type of camper that suits me!!    Gwynnie  

Plus.
When you get older. with a "stiff"neck.
It gets a lot harder. (Mines broken. on pain management implant).

I could back 4 wheel trailers down lanes and spent yrs wheeling Multi's around. On and off.

Nowadays. I have trouble getting van down my rear drive alongside pool.

LOOK AFTER your necks. Believe me.

I turn at the shoulders. Around 15deg rotation either side. 

On a good day. Zero on a bad one.

Hi Gwynnie

I like your reasoning and choice of rig. I considered all options including a caravan taking into consideration the towing aspect and settled on a Toyota 4x4 with Apollo slide on to make it easier to go off road particularly as a brand new solo traveller with no off road experience And thus far have enjoyed many free bush camping experiences.  It has all I need inside and out including the gas struts which were a total must have addition during Renos as I fractured ribs just before leaving home on my working trip. I have big mirrors and two cameras that have been fabulous.

Maybe some day I will be in the caravan market and will be seeking lessons also! Happy and safe travels to all.

Jayln