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.
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.
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
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When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
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..
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.
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.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
