Confusing impressions of towing?

[jwa]

Hi,
Being relatively new to caravanning I am midly bemused by the advice given on this forum. Stories of caravans swinging from side to side, caravans tipping over, caravans overloaded or inappropriate towcar match up are enough to scare anybody, let alone someone so new to the whole towing experience!
Having bought a second-hand Bailey Ranger last year , checking the match up with my car and towing for the first time, I was petrified that anything could and would happen. It didn't and apart from the various teething problems encountered along the way, we are now on our second Caravan, third towcar and have been away three times in the last seven weeks.
For all these trips and indeed last years trips, I did everything you were supposed to do in checking the caravan before setting off, including the noseweight and stopped after 10 mins or so for a visual check etc. I find a heavier noseweight is preferable, but this may be wrong?
I am much more comfortable towing, but never exceed 55 mph and quite enjoy the whole experience. In all this time I have not noticed anything adverse in the stability of the caravan or felt as if something horrible was about to happen. My experience as a newbie to the whole caravanning experience is very positive, yet I get very nervous and on edge as a trip approaches and constantly check everything before setting off quite happily towards our destination.
Am I being a bit too cautious and worrying needlessly, or is this just normal for someone very new to towing?
Regards,
John A

 

[RegandPat]

I to am fairly new to this caravan lark and always double check the hooking up, lights, door, windows and any other bits but my best plan is to let Pat drive first.
Now you may think this a bit mean of me but Pat only drives on motorways or fast main roads and as we have the M3 and the A303 five minuets away she insist on driving first. (Pat will drive on B roads if have to).
I think we have just been lucky with towing as I have never checked noseweight but do put all heavy items low down and the awning on the back seat of the truck/car as for speed we just plod along at 50 to 60 if the wind is behind us.
We started out with a 4x4 but found it expensive to run so changed it for a 1800 Audi, sorry to say what a load of rubbish and a waist of money that was, so now back to a 4x4 (sorry for that statement) but I just may have picket a lemon.
I am also sorry about the noseweight, do I have to get the bathroom scales out ever time I set off ?
Just Reg

 

[jwa]

Hi Reg,
We changed our car twice for exactly the same reason and now have a Freelander 2 which does the job really well. We also keep everything packed down low and over the axle, but as for nose weight, I bought a gauge from the shop where we bought the van and it is a two minute job to test everytime we set off. I store it in the front locker so it is always to hand. I have towed at 75, 80, 85 and 90 kg, but find that I feel more in control at around 90kg? The maximun noseweight for my outfit is 100kg.
Yet to get the wife to tow, but she seems keen enough, especially now the car is more suitable.
Thanks for the reply,
John A

 

[Gagakev]

I started towing back in the 90's and back then the checks carried out were to kick the tyres, check windows, off you go!!!!!

How times have changed, came back to caravanning about 4 years ago and took on board all the advice this forum gave out.
But weather it's the age thing creeping up on me or taking in too much info I dont know, I check and re- check.
I always check nose weight before I leave home and to be honest you get used to where things go, so now a days It's rare for me to check before I leave a site. I have even been known to get the torque wrench out on site on many occasion's!!!!!!!
Dont think you can ever be over cautious, but like you when I finally get behind the wheel knowing you have done all you can, I can actually say I like towing.
PS. Did I close the roof lights???????????????????????????????????????????

 

[Oldsalt49]

John,
To be honest you can never be to over cautious. I find it reassuring to hear you telling us all the checks you have done to keep yourself, your family and other road users safe, there are many caravanners do none of those things! I did the Caravan Club towing course and have never looked back. That was back in 1988, money well spent back then. Luckily for new caravanners, there is the internet now, its like a massive encylopedia with a mine of information readily to hand. As you have found out, you can only learn by getting out on the road, and sometimes it is very daunting. I find the towing experience as much fun as being set up on a site with a nice cool beer.
Be seeing you on a site, pitched up next to me sometime.
OS

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

For all these trips and indeed last years trips, I did everything you were supposed to do in checking the caravan before setting off, including the noseweight and stopped after 10 mins or so for a visual check etc. I find a heavier noseweight is preferable, but this may be wrong?
I am much more comfortable towing, but never exceed 55 mph and quite enjoy the whole experience. In all this time I have not noticed anything adverse in the stability of the caravan or felt as if something horrible was about to happen. My experience as a newbie to the whole caravanning experience is very positive, yet I get very nervous and on edge as a trip approaches and constantly check everything before setting off quite happily towards our destination.
Am I being a bit too cautious and worrying needlessly, or is this just normal for someone very new to towing?
Regards,
John A

no don't worry John you are doing everything right I do exactly the same and never had a problem and yes even I get nervous just after setting off on a jaunt untill I have stopped and had a second check "thats after the 3 checks before setting off of course",
and I've only been doing it 40+years is called "common sense" and keeps you safe.
as for nose weight it is true a heavier one seems to give a better tow I tend to aim for 6 to 10kg below the maximum and find that about right for my unit just dont forget that the car and the van may have different maximums so its the lowest one you have to work to.
colin

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi jwa

I can understand your comments regarding the amount of 'negative' information provided on forums like this - don't to that or do this etc. I'm one of those who do make such comments, but I don't apologise for passing on information when someone needs or asks for it. - don't forget that not every one has the same level of prior knowledge as you, so a more detailed explanation will be helpful to some.

It is a natural effect of these forums, that most people only post when they have a problem they need help with, so consequently forums will always tend to seen biased towards the problems. In most cases for every problem posted, there will many more caravanner's who do not have the same issues.

The other reasons also include the fact that many people have indulged in caravanning for many years and when they started many of the current EU regulations did not exist. Over the years the new regulations have come into force, and practices that were traditionally unregulated now have prescribed procedures for them.

On top of that as our roads become more congested, and the government seem intent on using the motorist as a cash cow, you can now be guilty of a an increasing number of offences, and the boys in blue and Vosa vehicle checks can produce nasty surprises for unprepared caravanner's.

Quite a number of contributors on the forum have professional experience of caravanning and as such they are in a position to offer high quality advice. However one other characteristic of these forums is that the writers identity is often hidden behind a nickname- so you have no way of knowing which advice is good and which may be suspect - consequently I include the note below, and suggest you apply the same caution to all other postings on this and similar forums.

Remember the biggest fool is the wise person who did not check!

 

[Gareth111278]

keep checking everything every time!

Remember the the six 'P's......

 

[forestgump]

prawns ,pillsner,pork scratchings/poppodoms,pims ,pilchards.

 

[jwa]

There was I about to thank everyone for their succinct replies and now I am confused over the six p's? Does the wife have to pack such a large grocery order?

 

[jwa]

However, it seems I am doing the right thing!

 

[Mel]

paranoia, prejudice, perspicacity, perspiration, parsimony and prudence.

 

[forestgump]

pppppperfect.

 

[John_374564913]

This is my routine before each trip

1. two days before put cordless drill on charge
2. day before go around caravan remove all black streaks if any
3. wash caravan and polish
4 start at back of caravan and work to front checking roof lights windows cupboards television
5 switch fridge over to 12 volt
6 disconeect 240 volt from caravan
7 switch on battery isolator and engage rollers
8 lower jockey wheel
9 raise corner steadies
10.turn caravan around so two foot away from car
11 check nose weight and adust accordingly
12 attach to car and make sure hitch lever goes green
13 lower stabaliser check goes green
14 attach the breakaway cable
15 connect power and check ATC gone green
16 check wheel torque on caravan
17 switch on Tyre Pal and then fit sensors to wheel then check all register at 29PSI
18 fit car mirrors and adjust accordingly
19check all lights working correctly
20 open caravan door and give one last visual check
21 swith off RDC unit
Now we are ready to go usually 30 or 45 minutes later than I have scheduled to leave

 

[jwa]

That's a great list John, thanks for the reply!

 

[Lutz]

Once, you've done
7 switch on battery isolator and engage rollers
8 lower jockey wheel
you need to do
23. Switch off battery and disengage rollers
24. Raise jockey wheel and secure in raised position
And how about
25. Make sure handbrake is released?
and
26. Check that gas is turned off?
I don't know about your caravan, but I also have to check that the lounge table is anchored.