When I was left on my own, one of the first things I did was sell our caravan because I thought I would not have the confidence to tow on my own. However, within 18 months I missed the caravan so much, I bought another one and after taking the CCC Course, started towing on my own. I joined one of the Clubs for 'single caravanners' to give me company when on Site. At the moment I tow a 2006 23ft.Bailey Bordeaux with a 2006 Mondeo and my first outing this year will be early next month for 3 weeks. The most difficult part for a woman on her own is dealing with the maintenance jobs, cleaning, storage etc. but well worth the effort if you love caravanning. I have found people on site to be very helpful, especially when I am hitching up to leave, and I am always asked if I need any help. Judging from the membership of the 'single caravanners', there seems to be a lot more ladies that tow alone in the North of the country rather than the South. Come on ladies, give it a go, you never know what's round the corner!
Mrs Towing the Caravan.
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Well my better half would never try until christmas when we were coming home from Kent. Pulled into beaconsfield services for a brew, and a mature (widowed) lady pulled in beside us, van in tow and her 4 dogs in the car. All one her own would you believe ?? (shock horror) - I played it down with comments like "well, clearly she's bitten the bullet" and other such provocative platitudes (yes I know I have an evil streak)
Clearly such a sight was challenge enough for SWMBO and she proceeded to drive us the remaining 110 miles home to the midlands. Smooth and careful all the way. Perfick !!
Just got to teach her to reverse now. Nice knowing I have a back up as well.
Clearly such a sight was challenge enough for SWMBO and she proceeded to drive us the remaining 110 miles home to the midlands. Smooth and careful all the way. Perfick !!
Just got to teach her to reverse now. Nice knowing I have a back up as well.
G
Guest
My wife had towed a trailer when our children were small but always rejected towing the caravan. One year towards the end of our hoilday we were heading for Switzerland via Aosta valley and the St Bernard tunnel. We had a restaurant meal the night before and I started to feel unwell and bacame violently ill with black skies and very heavy driving rain after a couple of enforced stops I was in no fit state to drive.
Faced with the chance of being hit on the hard shoulder in torrential rain and pour visibility she just had to take over the driving. By the time we arrived at a service area about an our later she was checking the route for Switzerland with our daughter who was then about 13 doing the navigating.
Since then we've shared the towing and she drives our outfits with our daughter and grandchildren and with friends and family.
You never know when illness is going to strike or you'll have an accident and the ladies are going to need to take over.
Faced with the chance of being hit on the hard shoulder in torrential rain and pour visibility she just had to take over the driving. By the time we arrived at a service area about an our later she was checking the route for Switzerland with our daughter who was then about 13 doing the navigating.
Since then we've shared the towing and she drives our outfits with our daughter and grandchildren and with friends and family.
You never know when illness is going to strike or you'll have an accident and the ladies are going to need to take over.
The only thing my ball 'n' chain drives is me.
She's never had any inclanation to drive and just sits there like Lady Muck enjoying the views. I wont even start on her map reading, even so I wouldn't change her :O)
I wouldn't get the money back she's cost me heh! heh! heh!
She's never had any inclanation to drive and just sits there like Lady Muck enjoying the views. I wont even start on her map reading, even so I wouldn't change her :O)
I wouldn't get the money back she's cost me heh! heh! heh!
oops typo ... inclinationThe only thing my ball 'n' chain drives is me.
She's never had any inclanation to drive and just sits there like Lady Muck enjoying the views. I wont even start on her map reading, even so I wouldn't change her :O)
I wouldn't get the money back she's cost me heh! heh! heh!
hi , i do all the towing on short journeys(1-2 hours) and we share the long ones. mostly hubby lies with the seat right back and his feet on the dash and sleeps most of the journey, i do annoy him a bit wen i overtake and have to move bk in2 the nearside lane, he has to move his feet so i can see in the mirror lol but he is nice and relaxed for putting up the awning,feedng the kids, pouring me a voddy, while i watch him work for a change xxxxx
Hello Everyone
As promised thought I would update you, as some of you may remember I advised that I was booked on a Manoeuvring Course on 7th March. Well I did it!!! Got the certificate to prove it!!
The course was run by the Caravan and Camping Club, at a location fairly local to myself and I was amazed how many people had travelled quite a distance to attend, there were three instructors and twelve candidates of varying experience.
During the practical sessions it was one instructor to four candidates.. this worked very well. I found that when watching others and listening also to instructions given to driver made things very clear, the instructors also instilled confidence in us all that we would be able to complete the task at hand. In addition to this we were encouraged to discuss amongst ourselves our experiences.
I must say it was well worth the money and I believe everyone would benefit from attending these courses; some of the little gems that were passed on will be invaluable.
We were also lucky that one of our instructors is a policeman in his day job.....
At the end of the course the instructors were happy to give additional one on one coaching for any aspect we did not feel confident with..
For me I came away feeling certain that I will not be waiting until the "What if" time comes but next time we are out will be sharing the driving with hubby.
Di
As promised thought I would update you, as some of you may remember I advised that I was booked on a Manoeuvring Course on 7th March. Well I did it!!! Got the certificate to prove it!!
The course was run by the Caravan and Camping Club, at a location fairly local to myself and I was amazed how many people had travelled quite a distance to attend, there were three instructors and twelve candidates of varying experience.
During the practical sessions it was one instructor to four candidates.. this worked very well. I found that when watching others and listening also to instructions given to driver made things very clear, the instructors also instilled confidence in us all that we would be able to complete the task at hand. In addition to this we were encouraged to discuss amongst ourselves our experiences.
I must say it was well worth the money and I believe everyone would benefit from attending these courses; some of the little gems that were passed on will be invaluable.
We were also lucky that one of our instructors is a policeman in his day job.....
At the end of the course the instructors were happy to give additional one on one coaching for any aspect we did not feel confident with..
For me I came away feeling certain that I will not be waiting until the "What if" time comes but next time we are out will be sharing the driving with hubby.
Di
Nowadays, there shouldn't be any job a woman can't do with a caravan than a man can. Towing requires no additional strength; hitching / unhitching the van can be messy but is not difficult; if you have a motor mover no-one has to damage their back. On the whole, caravans are fairly basic with regard to day to day maintenance - I just read the handbook or look on this forum if I need to do anything whilst we are away from home. When we are on site I notice I seem to be the only woman emptying the toilet. I wonder why this is since many women clean the toilet at home?
I think the basic problem is lack of confidence and the only way to gain this is through experience and accepting when you need to ask for help.
Good luck everyone and give it a go.
I think the basic problem is lack of confidence and the only way to gain this is through experience and accepting when you need to ask for help.
Good luck everyone and give it a go.
Mrs Chrisbee never empties the toilet because she says she is on holiday. I'm not brave enough to ask her what she thinks I'm doing there.
When we are on site I notice I seem to be the only woman emptying the toilet. I wonder why this is since many women clean the toilet at home?Nowadays, there shouldn't be any job a woman can't do with a caravan than a man can. Towing requires no additional strength; hitching / unhitching the van can be messy but is not difficult; if you have a motor mover no-one has to damage their back. On the whole, caravans are fairly basic with regard to day to day maintenance - I just read the handbook or look on this forum if I need to do anything whilst we are away from home. When we are on site I notice I seem to be the only woman emptying the toilet. I wonder why this is since many women clean the toilet at home?
I think the basic problem is lack of confidence and the only way to gain this is through experience and accepting when you need to ask for help.
Good luck everyone and give it a go.
Lol I think perhaps Catherine, you have answered your own question there. We clean the toilet after everybody else, day in day out. When we are on holiday, its someone else's turn. The cleaning of the toilet bowl itself and the bathroom in general is left to me anyway.
My wife wondered how much a course would cost. Could you please tell me how much yours cost.
Thanks
Thanks
Although we have the occasional weekend away in the UK, the bulk of our towing is on the continent and we usually do 2 hours each, turn and turn about. However, like Val A, I am hopeless at manouvering on a pitch and we don't have a mover (yest!), so he does that.
Jo
Jo
HiMy wife wondered how much a course would cost. Could you please tell me how much yours cost.
Thanks
My course was
Hi JoAlthough we have the occasional weekend away in the UK, the bulk of our towing is on the continent and we usually do 2 hours each, turn and turn about. However, like Val A, I am hopeless at manouvering on a pitch and we don't have a mover (yest!), so he does that.
Jo
I know where you are coming from the main reason for doing the course. as I have towed before but it was the reversing and parking etc., that was just a nightmare!!, but now feel I can do it with confidence!!
Di
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