OK, I posted this bit of info about a year ago, and thought it might be worth sharing again. For those having trouble backing their caravan in beside a slab, I came up with this method about 20 years ago and it worked perfectly for me. I cut a piece of rope about 8 or 10 foot long. Then I measured the over all outside width of my wheels. (In my case 7-11"). Then it was a simple matter to lay the rope 7-11" from the slab. Backing in was a piece of cake looking out of my drivers side window and putting my tyres on the rope. Sure beats the Mrs shouting from the passengers side, and screwing your old neck from side to side.
Now why would you want to go and ruin an afternoon of entertainment , its the sport of kings to set up a chair and a drink in the warmth of the afternoon sun
and wait for wait for the unwary to start filing in and backing their vans in .
Any aid that lets you get the job done with confidence is a good one & this idea seems to be in that category.
I expect that this is used when you approach the site with the slab on the drivers side and the rope gives you an aiming point that you can see as you reverse in.
When I first started out I made up a similar device from a bit of wood. I think that it was three lengths back from the front edge of the slab & three out at right angles. Worked ok. Sometimes I would put my hat/cap on the spot instead.
These days I approach the slab in the other direction & can usually see the wheels thru the passenger side window as they come alongside the slab. Bit of a problem though if the roadway is narrow & the tyres have to run over the front edge of the slab. I worry about the sidewalls being damaged by any extra high slab edges.
I would like to try a reversing camera. The one on my Mazda 3 town car is excellent.
-- Edited by Cupie on Tuesday 21st of February 2017 09:38:06 AM
Now why would you want to go and ruin an afternoon of entertainment , its the sport of kings to set up a chair and a drink in the warmth of the afternoon sun
and wait for wait for the unwary to start filing in and backing their vans in .
Same thing happens at boat launching ramps. People that hang around waiting for something to go wrong are called RAMP TOADS. Lots of boat owners can't back their trailer/boat down the ramp.
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Sure beats someone asking if we would mind moving our set up van so they could just drive through to their spot because he has difficulty backing in!!!!! True story.
If you can't back alongside a slab, why would a piece of rope be any better?
The easy way is to fit van movers or buy a motorhome/campervan.
Landfall, in my experience most slabs are on the left side of the van, and most drivers seats are on the right side of Aust vehicles. Just bringing you up to date, mate.
If you can't back alongside a slab, why would a piece of rope be any better?
The easy way is to fit van movers or buy a motorhome/campervan.
Landfall, in my experience most slabs are on the left side of the van, and most drivers seats are on the right side of Aust vehicles. Just bringing you up to date, mate.
maybe landfall has never back one up next to a slab from the blindside
Fringe dweller that's an interesting looking rig in your avatar what's it's specks
Woody
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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)
If you can see exactly where your reversing it's easy just experience ,the blind side is another matter,wifey stands where I can see her in the mirrors ,she points in the direction where we want the rear of the van ,and then lets me how when to square up..
If you can't back alongside a slab, why would a piece of rope be any better?
The easy way is to fit van movers or buy a motorhome/campervan.
Landfall, in my experience most slabs are on the left side of the van, and most drivers seats are on the right side of Aust vehicles. Just bringing you up to date, mate.
maybe landfall has never back one up next to a slab from the blindside
Thanks for that info dogbox. Maybe I should have said if you can't reverse from either direction hand your licence back.
Actually.
Having the slab on offside. Makes it easier.
You ALL back on your mirrors. Don't you.
You can watch rear wheels of van and slab at same time.
There have been a zillion. "Make it easier" tricks over the yrs.
The best one is still.
Practice.
Find an empty shopping car park. Or put some lines in some flat dirt.
and Reverse.
Straight back. from left. from right.
Try figure 8's too. ending WHERE you started.
That's great instruction.
And if trying to go straight back.
The best advice I can give anybody is.
When moving forward to straighten up first.
Go further forward b4 you start.
make sure ALL wheels are in line first.
and steer from bottom of wheel.
the way you turn YOUR hand.
is the way the rear end of trailer will turn.
And stop\stabilise turning.
B4 your rear gets there.
I've driven semi's. Multi's. wagon and 4 wheel drags (they interesting to back
one wheel on each corner)
for over 50 yrs.
The bloke that says he's NEVER got it wrong once.
Is a bloody liar. We all do. occasionally.
I'm rooted nowadays. Can't turn my head\neck.
Takes me several times EVERY time.
