New to touring

[Peter_374314513]

Good afternoon everyone, we have just bought our first ever tourer.

It is a twin axle jobbie and we have since heard that they can be the very devil to park or site in comparison to the single axle variety.

As we have never had any variety before, everything we do will be a learning curve anyway and we won't have any comparisons to make.

We have had the remote control 'mover' fitted are there any key tips to bear in mind when we venture forth for the first time?

 

[Del_374232870]

We went from a single axle to a twin axle earlier this year and there are pros and cons to both. I find the twin a lot easier to reversve when attatched to the car than the single was , however when unhitched for us the only way to move the twin is on the mover. Also when using the mover you cant rotate the van on its axle like we could with the single so sometimes for very tight spaces we have to move it backwards and forwards.

Saying that I wouldnt want to go back to a single axle again.

 

[martin.]

Peter,

Personally the first thing you need to do is learn how to tow a big van, reverse it, load it safely, check it's nose weight with relation to your car, have you got the right vehicle to tow with, spare bulbs, fuses, is your leisure battery charged, blocks for your legs. parking it will only come with experience and trying.

As you haven't done this before is caravanning really for you.

 

[Peter_374314513]

Peter,

Personally the first thing you need to do is learn how to tow a big van, reverse it, load it safely, check it's nose weight with relation to your car, have you got the right vehicle to tow with, spare bulbs, fuses, is your leisure battery charged, blocks for your legs. parking it will only come with experience and trying.

As you haven't done this before is caravanning really for you.

Thank you Del for your comments, you have made the issue a lot clearer to us.

We take your points Martin very seriously indeed. We are however determined to succeed in our venture and your checklist has been duly noted down.

 

[Mel]

You might find the CC towing course useful, go on their website to find dates and venues.

 

[Val & Frank]

Martin Quote " As you haven't done this before is caravanning really for you" end of quote nice helpful advice !!!!

Peter don't worry, We started off with a T/A van, you will soon get the mover sorted it just takes a little time. If you go to a CC site someone will help you out. Our Dealer took us round the van and made sure we understood the mover operation before we left the yard, did yours not show you ??

ps the movers are really good allows you to put the van exactly where you want it. Good Luck

Val & frank

 

[Martin_E]

Peter,

Best thing to do is....

as you are doing now ask the questions and take note especially with loading the van it does not take long to mount up a fair weight and takes even less time to find you are overloaded. Check the nose weight the car will take and what the vans nose weight is and always aim for the lower one but make sure you are lower than it.

as others have said check out the cc web site loads of good info on it and as Mel has said a towing course would be a good idea as they will give advice on how to load van and car.

When you hit the road and the campsites just take your time and don't be rushed stick to a speed that you are comfy with rather than being pushed into what others would like you to do. And most of all enjoy.

Martin "E"

 

[Ian_5094401]

My wife and I have recently returned to caravanning after a 14 year break.

We have a T/A van and I must say it tows like a dream.

I don't have a mover fitted but then again I don't have a problem manouvering it with the car.

With regards to loading the van, remember this: it is very important that the van is level when connected to the tow car. If the van is nose down, more pressure is placed on the front pair of wheels and vice versa if it is nose up.

This situation will at best make the van unstable and at worse will result in the tyres suffering a blow out.

Start with the tow ball on the car. Make sure it is at the correct height. Load the van in such a way as to achieve the specified nose wieght. Place heavey items over the axles. If possible, at the first opportunity after setting of, pull over into a level layby and stand well away from the outfit and visually check the whole unit again to make sur it is running level.

 

[Peter_374314513]

Many thanks to Ian, Martin 'E', Mel andnVal and Frank. All your comments have been duly noted (and printed I might say).

Is there some kind of scales or balance to check nose weight? If not how is this checked?

 

[will2]

Hello Del

check the noseweight on a level surface.

I measured the height of the caravan hitch from the floor to the hitch( still attached to the car) noted the measurement then used bathroom sceles and a piece of wood cut to size.Making sure the hieght is the same as when hitched onto the car.

Set scales to zero with the wood on them.

Will

 

[will2]

Hello Del

check the noseweight on a level surface.

I measured the height of the caravan hitch from the floor to the hitch( still attached to the car) noted the measurement then used bathroom sceles and a piece of wood cut to size.Making sure the hieght is the same as when hitched onto the car.

Set scales to zero with the wood on them.

Will

Sorry meant Peter

 

[martin.]

Martin Quote " As you haven't done this before is caravanning really for you" end of quote nice helpful advice !!!!

Peter don't worry, We started off with a T/A van, you will soon get the mover sorted it just takes a little time. If you go to a CC site someone will help you out. Our Dealer took us round the van and made sure we understood the mover operation before we left the yard, did yours not show you ??

ps the movers are really good allows you to put the van exactly where you want it. Good Luck

Val & frank

Sorry guys, didn't mean it to come out like that, we bought an older cheaper van for our first one, we didn't want to spend a lot of money on something we may not have enjoyed, thought we might not hack all the setting up and towing, turns out we loved it so bought a new one.

 

[martin.]

Peter,

Personally the first thing you need to do is learn how to tow a big van, reverse it, load it safely, check it's nose weight with relation to your car, have you got the right vehicle to tow with, spare bulbs, fuses, is your leisure battery charged, blocks for your legs. parking it will only come with experience and trying.

As you haven't done this before is caravanning really for you.

Hope you enjoy it peter, we do, but even now we still forget stuff, got the awning business down to a fine art now though.

 

[Peter_374314513]

Hello Del

check the noseweight on a level surface.

I measured the height of the caravan hitch from the floor to the hitch( still attached to the car) noted the measurement then used bathroom sceles and a piece of wood cut to size.Making sure the hieght is the same as when hitched onto the car.

Set scales to zero with the wood on them.

Will

Mny thanks Will, now the proud owner of bathroom scales.