Towing lesson advice

Cadpete · Guru

Towing lesson advice

Mike C · Senior Member

Guessing you could always rent a large enclosed tandem trailer for the day and learn with that.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Cadpete, I don't think I have seen you around here before so welcome to the gang, enjoy here and out in the playground.

Not sure of any good schools but avoid "wombat school of towing" cos the head instructor teaches you how to reverse all right, right down his hole, never to be seen again biggrin

All jokes aside Pete, sorry I can't help but I am sure someone will come along soon with good advice.

Delta18 · Guru

You could try this Towing School......https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGXKtIzhhZ8#t=79

Some people I have seen towing large vans may have got their experience here. confuse

Cadpete · Guru

Hi Delta,
Interesting driving style - I think that's what they mean by aggressive driving. Didn't see any reversing though! :)

Thanks for the welcome Doug, I put a quick intro on the introductions forum page.

Pete

Dougwe · Chief one feather

So you did Pete, I even welcomed you there. Uncle Al got up before me today.

oldbobsbus · Guru

I offer this advice to anyone not sure about reversing a trailer...

Fist make sure you have side mirrors that can pick up the sides trailer/van when it is directly behind you

To keep it directly behind you :- watch it in your outside mirrors and as soon as you see the trailer/caravan more in either mirror turn the top of your steering wheel towards that mirror..

Once you get good at that you can progress to backing it around a corner using the same method except you keep a small part of the trailer/van in the mirror to the side you want to go..

In either case once it gets to a point where you can't correct it you need to go forward and start again.. smile

-- Edited by oldbobsbus on Monday 8th of September 2014 03:24:29 PM

Mike C · Senior Member

I used to have issues backing a camper trailer..

Main problem was effective communication from my wife who seemed to change what signal was for what on the fly and didn't understand the concept that for me to see her she had to see my mirrors etc.
Part of the problem was she couldn't visualise how the combination behaved as it backed up so really couldn't work out how the combination needed to move relative to other objects to allow us thru and to end up where we wanted to be.

The simple solution was two hand held CB radios and have her do the backing.
I could simply say turn right a bit (watching the front wheel) back slowly stop.. turn left a bit or a bit more etc.

It worked a treat because I could visualise and guide the truck and van backwards. She would simply obey my directions and not try to do her own thing (almost like having a remote controlled car).It was slow and steady and we could reverse into any location without hassle..(or argument) and in the end I could complement her on a wonderful reversing job and the camping would be off to a great start :)

You do get considerably better with time and practice.

Cheers

Mike

Dougwe · Chief one feather

You just want dinner on the table each night Mike biggrin

Sounds a very good solution to a common problem I think Mike. I am Solo so will have to work out things myself. I can't see two hand helds working.

Although I can see myself running around the back saying to the hand held, a bit to the left, jumping back in the tug, roger that and so on.

gooba53 · Guru

Welcome. We were in exactly the same position as you. I just googled the towing course we used, Tow Ed, but unfortunately they aren't in WA. I was wondering have you actually asked any companies over there , as although Tow Ed didn't advertise that they had a van we could borrow they actually did have. We however did wait until we had our own van. We have a very tight gate to get through in our drive and have purchased a remote control mover that was advertised on this site. I totally agree with the suggestion of the two walky talkies, it saves a lot of yelling and hassles. Good luck, it will all be worth it .

Gus1949 · Senior Member

I did a one day course with Tow Ed in Victoria and the instructor was very good. They operate in a number of States and it cost around $400 for two (you and the missus) I you think that is a bit steep consider the cost of a repairing a damaged van or a divorce.

Gus.

exa41 · Guru

To save any damage to you or the van try reversing through witches hats starting with plenty of room and gradually get tighter , include straights and corners , practice makes perfect .

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Mike C wrote:
I used to have issues backing a camper trailer..

Main problem was effective communication from my wife who seemed to change what signal was for what on the fly and didn't understand the concept that for me to see her she had to see my mirrors etc.
Part of the problem was she couldn't visualise how the combination behaved as it backed up so really couldn't work out how the combination needed to move relative to other objects to allow us thru and to end up where we wanted to be.

The simple solution was two hand held CB radios and have her do the backing.
I could simply say turn right a bit (watching the front wheel) back slowly stop.. turn left a bit or a bit more etc.

It worked a treat because I could visualise and guide the truck and van backwards. She would simply obey my directions and not try to do her own thing (almost like having a remote controlled car).It was slow and steady and we could reverse into any location without hassle..(or argument) and in the end I could complement her on a wonderful reversing job and the camping would be off to a great start :)

You do get considerably better with time and practice.

Cheers

Mike

We did a "Tow-Ed" course and that is precisely the method recommended by our instructor. He said "Without being sexist, women will obey their husbands signal, and a husband will second-guess his wife's signal, even when she has it right. Its just how men and women are"

-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Monday 8th of September 2014 09:02:37 PM

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I resemble that Gerty.

Might have to look into the course myself seeing I will have a bigger big rig soon. I will get the twins to come with me.

Redlander · Veteran Member

We are also new to towing a van and have just completed the Tow-Ed course this past weekend. The instructor was brilliant.
My wife had reservations regarding towing a van but after the course even she is now confident that we can do it with ease.

I would recommend the course to any newbie who has any reservations about towing or just as a refresher as it certainly gave us the confidence we needed to hit the road.

They also provided a trailer for us as ours does not arrive until next month.

Regards

-- Edited by Redlander on Tuesday 9th of September 2014 07:48:32 AM

gollymolly · Senior Member

Hi Pete,

Rod and I did the RACQ towing course before we left on our travels.

It was worth the money (1 day course) and I had the biggest smile on my face when I could reverse the caravan backward in a complete circle. They went over the road rules also and although I thought I knew then alas their were some I didn't know.

So if you see a women driving a 4x4 with a roadstar caravan going around in backwards circles it is I, still keeping my practise up.

Bryan · Guru

gollymolly wrote:

So if you see a women driving a 4x4 with a roadstar caravan going around in backwards circles it is I, still keeping my practise up.

biggrin biggrin biggrin

Phil C · Guru

Cadpete wrote:
Hi All,
Hopefully posting this one in the right place. We are currently looking at getting a Caravan but have no experience towing. We have narrow brick gateways on our driveways and would need to reverse a van in, also avoiding a street tree. For this reason I really would like to get some towing lessons BEFORE we purchase but, all the towing classes I have seen so far you need to provide your own tug and trailer. Does anyone know of a group in W.A. who provide lessons with trailer provided.

Pete

Welcome Pete,

There are a mile of how to videos on youtube, or look at grey nomad 101 products, Sid makes it look easy and explains the science.

I have a simple philosophy when reversing: When I can see the side of the van in the mirror that is the way I turn the wheel to keep it straight. AND if in doubt DONT!! just move forward and start over.

Good luck, reversing any trailer can be daunting but practice on a small trailer and work your way up. I towed huge aircraft at one stage and at first it was very daunting. However it became 2nd nature after a while.

Good luck and enjoy

spida · Guru

I remember seeing an ad from Murdock Uni for a weekend course - was about $350. Took you out to Toodyay. It was only run twice a year but the instructor was available for private lessons.

Cadpete · Guru

spida wrote:
I remember seeing an ad from Murdock Uni for a weekend course - was about $350. Took you out to Toodyay. It was only run twice a year but the instructor was available for private lessons.

Thanks all. I understand the basics but the problem is getting a WORKING knowledge and automatic correction. I have looked into RAC but need to provide my own van. I would use my 6x4 trailer but that is totally invisible from the high driving position in the Carnival. Maybe add a couple of flags to it :)