Can't tow, won't tow

[MartinLeFour]

I HATE TOWING! just don't like it, just so stressfull, can't be bothered.

We've got to take the van to France when we move there, Stockport to the bottom of the Indre, oh the joys of caravanning, love being in it, just don't want to tow it, i've done it twice before, didn't think i'd need to do it again, don't want to, want someone to do it for me.

I'll stop moaning now.

Martin.

 

[drsorento]

Hi Martin, what do you find sterssful about towing ?

 

[MartinLeFour]

The state of the roads, I probably worry too much, my discovery isn't the best at towing, it's 12 years old and a bit wobbly and I don't like going down the steep french hills.

Martin.

 

[drsorento]

I understand, the reason I ask is that a mate of mine was in the same boat as you he really loved being away in his van, as did the rest of the family, but he hated any journey with the van in tow. In the end he gave up vanning as whenever he towed he was a nervous wreck at the end of the treck all be it a couple of hours down the road.

 

[divider]

Hi Martin,

my friend feels the same way as you,as i said to him plan trip properly ie loading hitching etc, and take your time. Dont feel pressurised by people behind you, as for the steep hills leave plenty of room in front of you and start the descent at slow speed and maitain it, all the best.

 

[MartinLeFour]

That's just how I am, paranoid about every wobble and bump. I recently moved it from one storage place to another to save me a 5 mile tow, barmy.

Martin.

 

[Mel]

Hi Martin. I understand. The prospect of towing terrifies me; irrational but no less scary. Fortunately OH does the towing. Some thoughts. Why not trade van in for a static or a motorhome. Or do you have a mate who you could pay in money, beer or a free holiday in France to tow it down for you?

mel.

 

[Lutz]

I would recommend going on a caravan towing course where one learns to recognise which "wobbles and bumps" are signs of potential instability and how to react properly if they do occur.

 

[ValA.]

Have you got a stabiliser - it really does cut out some of the pitching and tossing, and makes the caravan feel so much more stable. I didn't like towing either, but the more you do it the more confident you get.

As Lutz says, take a towing course, and then practice on the roads you know. When you feel more comfortable there, take a trip to somewhere you've not been before, and when it all goes wonderfully well you'll be much less apprehensive about taking the van to France.

If none of this works perhaps a post in the 'Camping Abroad' section might come up with someone who could help - - obviously with the right insurance, for car, caravan, etc.???!!

 

[JoannaLesley]

Hi Martin,

Do you have to take your current van? There was a discussion recently elsewhere on the forum and someone pointed out that it is extremely difficult to register older vans in France. Have you considered selling it here (try eBay - I got a really good price for a 23 year old van there) and replacing it once you have moved?

Jo

 

[MartinLeFour]

Still got 5 years hp left on it and can't afford to pay it off, money we get from the house sale is needed to keep us afloat.

Martin.

 

[Garfield]

There are companies and individuals that specialise in moving caravans, often for those on permanent pitches that don't own a car capable of towing, try googleing or look in the magazines.

It's funny how opposite people are, One of the things about caravanning I look forward to is the journey and the challenge of towing, once we're on site I get bored and want to go to work to escape from the kids!!.

Towing with an early disco I understand your anxiety, I once towed a 1.6 tonne boat with a 92 disco, fantastic for pulling up the slipway but truly dreadful on the open road, about as stable as a two tonne jelly.

 

[MartinLeFour]

Just had a quote to take the van from Stockport to the bottom of the Indre,

 

[nelmo]

You big, girl's blouse... ;-)

 

[Bannedtom]

Ever thought of buying a motorhome

 

[mcghee]

i'd bet if you towed your 'van with a capable towcar you would begin to enjoy it.

i once had the misfortune of towing to france with a k plate discovery and it was one of the worst towing experiences of my life. thankfully i have literally hundreds of thousands of towing miles experience and so didn't worry about it too much. had that been my first towing experience i may have been very reluctant to try again.

try something that drives a bit less like a blancmange and you will be able to relax and enjoy the drive.

 

[sarahandher6dachshunds.]

what a wimp you are call yourself a man just use a hitch head stabilizer,load correctly and check the nose weight,keep all weight low down.and use towing mirrors.i have just towed 2000 miles abroad with a failing fuel pump and yes the car is still running,and it is 7 years old 110,000 miles on clock.

ps I AM A FEMALE.

 

[MartinLeFour]

I'm very pleased for you Sarah, if I had a Blue Peter badge at hand i'd give it to you, maybe you should try towing with my car and see how long it is before you pull off the motorway and then try and prize your hands off the steering wheel.

 

[MartinLeFour]

P.S. If you haven't got anything constructive to say then don't say anything at all.

 

[sarahandher6dachshunds.]

every one is entitled to there own view,and it was a moan.the advice previously is good wish i had the choice of a towing course.it never is easy the first few times towing.anyhow hope he can find someone to tow the van for him,as for myself i just had to get on and do it myself,otherwise the van would not of moved in two and a half years.hubby is recovering from a spinal injury and only towed last month for the first time. unfortunately it was a bit too much for him as his legs swelled up pretty bad.so it looks like i will have to continue doing it all.sarah

 

[sarahandher6dachshunds.]

P.S. If you haven't got anything constructive to say then don't say anything at all.

kettle calling the pot black

 

[sarahandher6dachshunds.]

look under this section as i have put up new topic to help you.

look for your name

 

[Grahamh]

Hi Martin,

just got back from a 6 week trip to Spain and France. I found the roads in France great and wonderfully sparsely populated compared to UK. Of course you have to navigate by the decent roads(not Peage tho).

One site we stayed on was almost totally occupied by Brits who did not tow! There was a field by the site full of vans with UK plates - maybe 150 of them, and the site owner just put them out on pitches to order inc putting up awnings and connecting site services. Not to my liking but a lot of the visitors were senior citizens(some disabled) and single ladies who didn't tow. The site catered for British in a big way(inc full English breakfast on Sundays, steak and ale pie for dinner, British beer and french language lessons. Most people there didn't even have a towbar on the car! Our next door neighbour even traded up his van whilst he was there. They charge

 

[MartinLeFour]

Problem solved, turns out if you've paid half your finance on the product you can just hand it back, we'll miss it immensley but it'll save me loads of money, plus it wouldn't get used that much in France anyway.

Martin.

 

[Grahamh]

Well we really helped Martin out there didn't we ;-)