New to this

[liam.loughney]

I’m also looking to get my first caravan soon, so I know exactly how you feel! I’ve never towed before either and the idea of that first drive definitely feels a bit daunting. It’s reassuring to hear others are in the same boat. Sounds like the motor mover will be a game-changer for the tricky bits at home. Hope the journey goes smoothly for you!

 

[Didi]

I’m also looking to get my first caravan soon, so I know exactly how you feel! I’ve never towed before either and the idea of that first drive definitely feels a bit daunting. It’s reassuring to hear others are in the same boat. Sounds like the motor mover will be a game-changer for the tricky bits at home. Hope the journey goes smoothly for you!

Thank you! You too - I wish you all the best with the early stages and I'm sure we'll settle into the routine quickly enough All the best!

 

[Didi]

T

Note that Wetherby Services is off-road - exit at J46 and turn right. The next services after that are also off-road on the right at J51 - Leeming Bar. Watch the lane discipline. There are also services at Scotch Corner, again off road to the east side. There are few places to stop on the A66, then services on the M6 between 41 and 42.

It depends where you are going in Nottingham but I would recommend the M74/M6/A66 (exit M6 at J40)/A1(M) and M1 and advise that you follow the same route obviously in reverse going back. There have been long ongoing roadworks on the A1 south of the M62 around Darrington on the Wentbridge Viaduct sometimes/often with extended delays.

Thanks so much!

 

[ALANSHARKY]

IM 67, 68 THIS YEAR AND BOUGHT OUR FIRST CARAVAN IN NOVEMBER 2024. SINCE THEN WE HAVE BEEN OUT ABOUT 7-8 TIMES. NOW I FIND IT A DODDLE AND WAS FEARING THE WORST LIKE YOU. REST ASSURED ITS GREAT FUN TOWING, JUST REMEMBER, SLOWER AND LEAVE MORE SPACE TO STOP. THE VAN WILL FOLLOW YOU. ALSO, IT DOES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE HOW MUCH YOU PUT IN THE VAN, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHERE YOU PUT IT. BALANCE YOUR LOAD OVER THE AXLE AND DONT CARRY TOO MUCH. DO A BIT OF RESEARCH WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT CARRY. I STARTED WITH THE FACTORY WEIGHT OF THE VAN, AND JUST WEIGHED EVERYTHING I ADDED. WITH THINGS LIKE KNIVES AND FAULKS SALT POTS ETC ETC , I PUT ALL IN A CARRIER AND WEIGHED THE LOT AS ONE. I LOOK FORWARD SO MUCH TO TOWING NOW, YOU JUST FEEL PART OF THE CLUB, AND JOIN BOTH CARAVAN CLUBS AND LOOK OUT FOR THE SITE PITCH UP. WELL I COULD GO ON ALL DAY, SO JUST DONT WORRY, YOU WILL WONDER WHAT YOU WORRIED ABOUT AFTER YOUR FIRST COUPLE OF TRIPS.

 

[Mel]

IM 67, 68 THIS YEAR AND BOUGHT OUR FIRST CARAVAN IN NOVEMBER 2024. SINCE THEN WE HAVE BEEN OUT ABOUT 7-8 TIMES. NOW I FIND IT A DODDLE AND WAS FEARING THE WORST LIKE YOU. REST ASSURED ITS GREAT FUN TOWING, JUST REMEMBER, SLOWER AND LEAVE MORE SPACE TO STOP. THE VAN WILL FOLLOW YOU. ALSO, IT DOES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE HOW MUCH YOU PUT IN THE VAN, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHERE YOU PUT IT. BALANCE YOUR LOAD OVER THE AXLE AND DONT CARRY TOO MUCH. DO A BIT OF RESEARCH WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT CARRY. I STARTED WITH THE FACTORY WEIGHT OF THE VAN, AND JUST WEIGHED EVERYTHING I ADDED. WITH THINGS LIKE KNIVES AND FAULKS SALT POTS ETC ETC , I PUT ALL IN A CARRIER AND WEIGHED THE LOT AS ONE. I LOOK FORWARD SO MUCH TO TOWING NOW, YOU JUST FEEL PART OF THE CLUB, AND JOIN BOTH CARAVAN CLUBS AND LOOK OUT FOR THE SITE PITCH UP. WELL I COULD GO ON ALL DAY, SO JUST DONT WORRY, YOU WILL WONDER WHAT YOU WORRIED ABOUT AFTER YOUR FIRST COUPLE OF TRIPS.

Hi Alansharky. This is great advice and thank you for welcoming new posters.
Just a word about forum etiquette; Full on capitals is considered shouting ( how us not so tech literate are supposed to know this; I don’t know, but it is). Can you turn caps lock off please; but do keep posting.
Thanks
Mel

 

[Hutch]

IM 67, 68 THIS YEAR AND BOUGHT OUR FIRST CARAVAN IN NOVEMBER 2024. SINCE THEN WE HAVE BEEN OUT ABOUT 7-8 TIMES. NOW I FIND IT A DODDLE AND WAS FEARING THE WORST LIKE YOU. REST ASSURED ITS GREAT FUN TOWING, JUST REMEMBER, SLOWER AND LEAVE MORE SPACE TO STOP. THE VAN WILL FOLLOW YOU. ALSO, IT DOES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE HOW MUCH YOU PUT IN THE VAN, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHERE YOU PUT IT. BALANCE YOUR LOAD OVER THE AXLE AND DONT CARRY TOO MUCH. DO A BIT OF RESEARCH WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT CARRY. I STARTED WITH THE FACTORY WEIGHT OF THE VAN, AND JUST WEIGHED EVERYTHING I ADDED. WITH THINGS LIKE KNIVES AND FAULKS SALT POTS ETC ETC , I PUT ALL IN A CARRIER AND WEIGHED THE LOT AS ONE. I LOOK FORWARD SO MUCH TO TOWING NOW, YOU JUST FEEL PART OF THE CLUB, AND JOIN BOTH CARAVAN CLUBS AND LOOK OUT FOR THE SITE PITCH UP. WELL I COULD GO ON ALL DAY, SO JUST DONT WORRY, YOU WILL WONDER WHAT YOU WORRIED ABOUT AFTER YOUR FIRST COUPLE OF TRIPS.

Hi Alan, I am happy that you are getting on ok with the towing of the caravan. A word of warning though, don't take the weight of your empty caravan as stated by the manufacturer as gospel, I found that my caravan is almost 50 kg above its empty weight.
I loaded up the van with all the essentials, took it to a scrapyard weighbridge, and got the true weight from them. You can then weigh any thing extras if you have spare weight.

 

[Didi]

Your caravan won't roll down the drive if you have the handbrake on, but maybe you'd feel more relaxed if you place a chock (or a brick!) under the wheel. But you'll have a wheel lock on as well, and it won't roll anywhere with that fitted.

Just a bit more about towing on the motorway; you'll be going about the same speed as HGV and slower than coaches so they will be passing you. When one of them is passing you, you will feel a sideways tug from the bow wave from their front, and similar effect from the back of their vehicle as well. Can be a bit unsettling if you're taken by surprise (worse with coaches because they come past fast). When you see in your mirrors that something is coming up to pass you, be ready for the tugging feeling. You can reduce it and make it more comfortable by trying to make the gap between you bigger, ie by moving closer to the hard shoulder or edge of your lane.

Writing this has given me a thought actually - what do other people think about lane departure guidance systems? I always switch mine off when I start a journey, because I dislike the unwanted tugging at my steering wheel. But, when towing, does anyone find them helpful in this HGV overtaking scenario?

Thanks, Andrew. Extremely helpful!

 

[Didi]

IM 67, 68 THIS YEAR AND BOUGHT OUR FIRST CARAVAN IN NOVEMBER 2024. SINCE THEN WE HAVE BEEN OUT ABOUT 7-8 TIMES. NOW I FIND IT A DODDLE AND WAS FEARING THE WORST LIKE YOU. REST ASSURED ITS GREAT FUN TOWING, JUST REMEMBER, SLOWER AND LEAVE MORE SPACE TO STOP. THE VAN WILL FOLLOW YOU. ALSO, IT DOES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE HOW MUCH YOU PUT IN THE VAN, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHERE YOU PUT IT. BALANCE YOUR LOAD OVER THE AXLE AND DONT CARRY TOO MUCH. DO A BIT OF RESEARCH WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT CARRY. I STARTED WITH THE FACTORY WEIGHT OF THE VAN, AND JUST WEIGHED EVERYTHING I ADDED. WITH THINGS LIKE KNIVES AND FAULKS SALT POTS ETC ETC , I PUT ALL IN A CARRIER AND WEIGHED THE LOT AS ONE. I LOOK FORWARD SO MUCH TO TOWING NOW, YOU JUST FEEL PART OF THE CLUB, AND JOIN BOTH CARAVAN CLUBS AND LOOK OUT FOR THE SITE PITCH UP. WELL I COULD GO ON ALL DAY, SO JUST DONT WORRY, YOU WILL WONDER WHAT YOU WORRIED ABOUT AFTER YOUR FIRST COUPLE OF TRIPS.

That is heartening! We'll be travelling light for sure. Thank you!