first caravan - first ever tow -120 miles to home

[WayneS]

:cheer:
Hello to All,
Well I posted on here a couple of weeks back that we were going to view a Bailey Senator Oklahoma, ....we're now the happy proud owners of that said caravan. The caravan and its contents have been lovingly looked after, we bought it from a really lovely retired couple who have had to end their caravanning days for reasons of health. They could not have been kinder or more accommodating with us: truly excellent people and they've included everything we could wish for in terms of extras..... and more.
Soooo. early this morning we drove from Cornwall to Dorset to collect it feeling excited and nervous (not sure which of these emotions was more dominant.) I said in the title: first ever tow, truth is, although I drive a lot of miles I'd never ever even been in a car which was towing a caravan. BUT it was fine, first 10 minutes felt a bit different and due to traffic I had to do a couple of steep hill starts on the journey but it was enjoyable and nowhere near as tough as I'd feared. We took things steady, used the gearbox more and always felt in control. Hand on heart at the storage place we're keeping it, reversing it into a tight space was however too much for me (I'm towing behind an t4 VW transporter and the train length is quite long I guess.) with some kind aid the van was instead manually pushed into place here. Next thing for me will be to take the caravan to an empty car park or similar to practice going backwards (lots).
To any other nervous newbies like us: just go for it!
So my first go today and a successful one, -loads to learn will keep practising. We're looking forward to making happy memories.
A word of thanks to forum members, have looked here loads and am learning as a result of your postings.
Thanks for reading
Wayne.

 

[Niall_McIntosh]

Well done! As a fellow newbie, my first towing experience, from the dealer's was slightly shorter, but it was still something that worried me until I did it. The best advice I have had from more experienced caravaners is to plan your journeys. There are some great tools available, Google Earth, for example, can let you look at potentially challenging junctions. Basically, enjoy the journey, it's part of the holiday.

 

[Parksy]

Hi Wayne, congratulations on successfully towing your caravan for the first time.
Always allow plenty of time for your journeys, anticipate road hazards in advance and always look into a road that you're about to enter before fully committing to the manouever.
My top tip for reversing your caravan is to try whenever possible to have the space that you want to reverse the caravan into on your drivers side, it's much easier than trying to reverse on the 'blind' side.
There are some Practical Caravan reversing tips Here

 

[WayneS]

Thank you Parksy for the sound advice and the link- Great! thanks and to you as well Niall for response.:never thought of Google Earth.. what a nice & helpful place this is
- we.ll get there!!
Wayne

 

[Craigyoung]

Hi wayne , congratulations on on your purchase and well done for getting all them extra goodies , that'll save yous a bit of shopping about , you're right as it is a bit daunting towing for the first time something combined like the size of what yous have got now. First time I pulled our caravan from the garage was about 6o miles for me to travel first time to home but it just comes natural now when you pull away you know it's on the back. One thing though ; if you can't get the hang of reversing , why not looking into getting a mover to save all the stress when pulling on a site and trying to get into tight spaces ? A mover can give you the perfect position if you stay on a cl site that you couldn't get by reversing . enjoy what you have enjoy your weekends away now.

Craig .

 

[otherclive]

Congratulations on a successful first tow. Following Craig’s point a mover is a help for pitching on sites where other vans, cars or obstructions prevent you getting a swing from your car. A mover can be helpful too if you are on a muddy or wet grass pitch and the car can’t get traction. Then it helps to take some of the noseweight off the jockey wheel to prevent it digging in. Mrs OC has proven to be an excellent counterweight with a good sense of balance too !

 

[Hutch]

Well done Wayne, you will have lots of great times away in your caravan. As for reversing, it gets worse , when there are more people watching. :woohoo: we have all been there. Enjoy

 

[emmerson]

Good on you Wayne. You've done precisely what I always advise first timers! Bought from a retiring couple.
Don't want to be a party pooper, but you do have the licence required for such a large outfit, don't you?
Just a thought, as most first timers tend to be youngsters..................!

 

[WayneS]

Thanks Emmerson: passed my test in 93, so no worries with license. Late first timers: our 20yr old daughter moved to her own home earlier this year and is settled- My better half, me and our dog now looking forward to happy times. Great advice ref buying from retiring couples. The people we purchased off are wonderful and were so conscientious and kind in ensuring we were happy and safe & gave us great advice...... when we went to collect the caravan they'd even bought a brand new wheel clamp as a present for us!

 

[Raywood]

Welcome to the forum Wayne. We started touring with a 10 ft caravan and a Ford Escort so not as daunting as your outfit but as you found out towing is not as daunting as you might have first thought.
If you have a difficult storage point then I would agree with earlier comments on here and get a mover. If you are at all unfit though I would avoid one which needs a lever to clamp it on the wheels as they can be very heavy to move. Wind on ones are available or if you have the money an automatic one are far easier.
If you have any problems just post details on here and there is plenty of help available.

 

[Dustydog]

An excellent start Wayne. Pleased to hear you enjoyed the maiden voyage. I’ve had my Senator 10 years now so if you need any help with broken things please ask. One of us on here will have an answer. B)
Reversing is hard at first but with some practice becomes easy. The two Clubs run towing courses . My wife did one years ago and taught Me a few new tricks! Quick tip. Put your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. If you want the caravan to go right move your hand right and vice versa for left. With an outside observer try reversing in a straight line for as far as you can. Using your door mirrors you will see the caravan go too far to one side. Slightly move the steering wheel to the opposite side and she will straighten up. Not sure where you live. If youare in North Wiltshire I’ll happily give you a hand with reversing.

 

[Hutch]

Hello again, you are lucky to have bought from retiring caravanners. Talk to folk on here about sites, cls and bigger places depends on how you can get away. Easy to join t he happy band of Woosiesies. Just a bunch of meet up folk.

 

[WayneS]

Thanks all for the supportive and encouraging posts: a mover is an attractive option for tight spots - my caravan is a 2003 one and budget wise.at the moment a secondhand would be the way for me if I can source one. Will pull my van out of the storage and have a practice to gain some understanding / a bit of confidence reversing - need to do this anyway!
Dustydog -thank you for your extremely kind offer, unfortunately I live in S/E Cornwall.or I would jump at the chance for your guidance: the offer is really appreciated!
Hutch.... ref the Woosiesies - sounds awesome!, I'm pretty good at making a pigs ear of some of the most simple stuff sometimes! ....but I hope we're pretty good fun and if you'll have us, we'd would love to join you when able!
Probably going to do your heads in seeking advice on here, sorry and thanks in advance!
Wayne

 

[Craigyoung]

....Probably going to do your heads in seeking advice on here, sorry and thanks in advance!
Wayne.....

Why no man , ask away anything your stuck on , chances are you'll get a reply quite quick off the old timers that are sitting around not doing anything that are retired where my replies will come after midnight when I'm finished work and sitting having a coffee before going to bed !!