Agree with Blaze take it to a vacant parking lot (local park or shopping centre when no events/shopping in progress) and practice.   Even after many years I am still a pretty hopeless backer, some seem to find it easier than others, I know all the right moves etc but not as good as I would prefer. 

Suggest as your first "outing" you book into a caravan park not too far away for a day or two (you will arrive earlier and not be tired from too much driving etc), it will give you some practice in driving it booking into and setting up in a caravan park etc and give you a "feel" for the lifestyle.  I did this on our first trip and once inside the park you felt as though you were thousands of kms from anywhere, not 30 kms away as we were.  Most parks will also give you assistance with parking if you ask for it when you arrive.

You could consider having a reversing camera fitted to the Sportsliner to make it easier some are wireless so don't need wiring etc.

I had an A'Liner A'Van camper for 7 years and they are great fun.  I was also a member of the Australia wide A'Van Club of Australia ,HQ in Victoria, but branches in every state and rallies in any state (including National rallies) open to all members.  They are a great bunch of people, cheapest club in Oz at $20 per year, which includes newsletters, rally details and members booklet etc.  No need to go to every rally but an option if you want to in between doing your own thing.   Click on this link;

http://www.avanclubaust.org.au/ 







-- Edited by VHW on Wednesday 11th of August 2010 08:35:05 AM

Hey Gilly congrats on the new van,

Mate the trick is to sleep all day then go down to the lot at 2am, then there will be no one around... The local van park is also good advice, better well prcticed makes for more fun in the end.

Most importantly slow and steady wins every race....n have heaps of laughs at your mistakes, makes the learning curve much easier to cope with.

Cheers
Grumps

gillyb

Years ago when I tried this at a shopping centre, I attracted a large audience. Really put me off. Necer did it that way agai.

Then did most of my practicing on the job. At caravan parks. Even when they had drive through sites, I always tried to back it in.

Not an expert in it now, but manage to get the job done.

A hint, if you'd like one. Turn the bottom of the steering wheel in the direction you want the van to go. Hope that helps.

Cheers
Ross

An alternative site to practice reversing with the van is an Industrial Area , if there is one close by, on a Sunday.

A school parking area when no school could be another option.  Whatever area you choose, just make sure you have and entry and a good exit, or enough room to go out the way you came in so you don't box yourself in.........large industrial company carpark (after hours) as already suggested could also be and option.  

Take a drive around after hours looking for suitable parking areas (Council carpark?) without your van first.  Be aware of your personal safety as well in any isolated area. 

If you get approached by police or security guards in any of these areas I am sure they would be sympathetic to your "training", lol

Hiya Gillyb,

Congrats...........you goooooo girl.

Good luck with the practising............I'm sure you will be great at it......determination is a wonderful tait to have and you seem to have it in spades!!!.

Please fill us in on how you go

Keep Smiling

Cee

Hi GillyB,

As a former A'Van camper trailer owner may I suggest a couple of tips.

With the fold up jockey wheel, when folded up horizontally, hook an ocky strap over the handle, over the A'frame a couple of times and bring up from the inside and hook over the axle of the jock wheel to keep both jockey wheel handle and wheel in an upwards position. This will stop them from hitting the ground when going over speed bumps, potholes, deep gutters etc as there is not a lot of clearance and will prevent damage to them or A'frame etc. 

Also, hook an ocky strap around the fold in step when retracted, they have a tendency to "jump" out going over bumps etc, giving very little clearance in the fold out position and could sustain damage also.