Hi am new to caravaning on had our van a year but I am not finding the confidence on towing I have done it about 4 times now but finding the stress level up to max I really need some advice is this normal because me and my wife are really thinking of selling it it's a lunar ultima 2 berth 410 I had an incident with an impatient driver 2nd time out nothing to serious but all because I wasn't going fast enough for him to take his cut of on motorway I wasn't doing anything wrong I was in left hand lane sticking to towing speed limit but still enough to anger him so my confidence has taken a hit all through that can anyone please help what should I do sell or keep it as I love the van and would be very unhappy to see it go
Advise on towing
- Thread starter Paul 1977
- Start date
If you had not been towing this idiot woukd probably have done exactly tge same!
The caravan and Motirhome club offer towing course, tgat might be a good thing for yiu to do to build your confidence up.
The caravan and Motirhome club offer towing course, tgat might be a good thing for yiu to do to build your confidence up.
I agree with the suggestion of doing a towing course. We had a Motorhome for 3 years and switched to a caravan. My wife did a one to one towing course for 4 hours which helped a lot. I found it locally from a dealership. We also plan the route to try and avoid roads that could be tricky.
Yes a think that's the way to go we are in the caravan and motorhome club that's at strathclyde park only thing there is it's all England the training courses are just hope we get one in Scotland soon
Google caravan towing course Scotland. The clubs are fine but you will probably find something nearer.
Towing is still new to you, and it’s not unusual to get anxious at times as the feel of the outfit is something to get used to. I get flashed sometimes even solo as on a local well used country B road I tend to be at 40-45mph even though it’s a national limit if 60 mph. Why do I drive more cautiously it’s because the road twists and dips between hedges, there are farm and local junctions and it’s used by cyclists and riders; and because there’s been three fatalities to my knowledge. So as said above being flashed isn't something to get concerned about. Would he/she have flashed a 40 tonne artic…..most unlikely. As advised I would sign up for a course as the content covers so much useful information beyond just towing. You would also meet other newbies who undoubtedly will share their experiences too.
It does get easier as you gain experience and you get to recognise the “pressure points’.
It does get easier as you gain experience and you get to recognise the “pressure points’.
Ahh strathy Park , remember it when was the doctor's pit , born and brought up in Merry Street Motherwell.
Mel
Moderator
Speaking as someone who completely lacks the confidence to tow, I understand your trepidation. I leave it to OH!
However, confidence will come with practice. Don’t let some unfortunate individuals put you off. There are folks out there who object to Caravans on principle and think it is OK to treat them with contempt. We almost came a cropper at a junction when someone clearly couldn’t bear the thought of ending up behind a caravan and cut out right in front of us. OH has developed a foot to brake and hand to horn coordination as a result.
Do go for a course. If you look on the two main clubs websites and try to book one you will find a list of the local providers. There is nothing stopping you contacting those providers directly and seeing if they will offer a more bespoke session for you, targeting confidence building.
Really this is something I should do; although I suspect my OH will also need a course called “managing anxiety while wife is towing” 😀
Good luck
Mel
However, confidence will come with practice. Don’t let some unfortunate individuals put you off. There are folks out there who object to Caravans on principle and think it is OK to treat them with contempt. We almost came a cropper at a junction when someone clearly couldn’t bear the thought of ending up behind a caravan and cut out right in front of us. OH has developed a foot to brake and hand to horn coordination as a result.
Do go for a course. If you look on the two main clubs websites and try to book one you will find a list of the local providers. There is nothing stopping you contacting those providers directly and seeing if they will offer a more bespoke session for you, targeting confidence building.
Really this is something I should do; although I suspect my OH will also need a course called “managing anxiety while wife is towing” 😀
Good luck
Mel
There no CAMC courses in Scotland. U.K. only Here
Camping and Caravan Club do all theirs at the Coventry HQ.
Why not book one whilst you are away?
Locally here in Wiltshire our retired driving school instructor also runs towing courses for novices at sensible hourly rates.
Just ignore these muppets, don't let them rush you into a mistake, we have all started from scratch we time you will gain experience and confidence.
Paul1977,
I really enjoy towing our ‘van around both the UK and Europe. I really don’t let the impatient fraternity bother me at all. Having said that I do take all road users into consideration and where possible try not to impede them anymore than necessary. The fact is that if you stress too much then you are more likely to make mistakes and cause more grief then just holding someone up for a few minutes.
By way I much prefer towing in Europe then the UK….. better road conditions and people just don’t seem to be that frantic then here.
Experience will cure your worries.
Regards
F
I really enjoy towing our ‘van around both the UK and Europe. I really don’t let the impatient fraternity bother me at all. Having said that I do take all road users into consideration and where possible try not to impede them anymore than necessary. The fact is that if you stress too much then you are more likely to make mistakes and cause more grief then just holding someone up for a few minutes.
By way I much prefer towing in Europe then the UK….. better road conditions and people just don’t seem to be that frantic then here.
Experience will cure your worries.
Regards
F
Sadly this is normal, but like others have said, so long as you are driving/towing safely and without being a nuisance to other road users, like hogging lanes or driving way under the speed limit, ignore the 'Must Get In Front' dickheads. I think driving standards are bad and even worse post-pandemic, its just much easier to avoid the idiots or not attract their ire when driving a car solo. I used to do about 30k miles a year commuting so naturally developed an eye for when some was about to do something stupid; foot primed for the brake, hand on the lights/indicator, thumb on the horn.
I think just seeing a white box behind someone's car seems to trigger the average motorist, amplifying the stupid. Usually its just benign stuff like overtaking, then merging back in within inches of your car. But my personal favourite idiot behaviour, is when passing the exit of an on-ramp/slip road and a crap driver joining the carriageway matches my speed then sits along side the car wondering why I'm not moving over! Because I'm 40ft long, limited to 60, and have traffic alongside you can't see! Bonus stupid points for them if there are no cars in front of me. If they only had a brain.
I think just seeing a white box behind someone's car seems to trigger the average motorist, amplifying the stupid. Usually its just benign stuff like overtaking, then merging back in within inches of your car. But my personal favourite idiot behaviour, is when passing the exit of an on-ramp/slip road and a crap driver joining the carriageway matches my speed then sits along side the car wondering why I'm not moving over! Because I'm 40ft long, limited to 60, and have traffic alongside you can't see! Bonus stupid points for them if there are no cars in front of me. If they only had a brain.
I'm not sure the presence of the caravan makes any difference - the numpties out there drive like that all the time. Since I retired I'm a lot more laid back and just let them do their own thing while I drive properly and expect the unexpected!
Facebook
Twitter