Reversing skills

[AndrewAventura]

I took our caravan back to storage today and reversed it into its bay. There were no witnesses to my manoeuvre, and my wife gave me no praise when I got home, so I thought I'd share with the forum.... (Not necessarily expecting praise from you either! )

Normally I'd use the motor mover, but today I reversed hitched up through an S shaped approach in a single movement ending up with the caravan exactly parallel and central in its bay and even in the exactly correct position front to back. So lowered the jockey wheel and that was it. Just a bit disappointed that no-one saw me doing it.

 

[otherclive]

I took our caravan back to storage today and reversed it into its bay. There were no witnesses to my manoeuvre, and my wife gave me no praise when I got home, so I thought I'd share with the forum.... (Not necessarily expecting praise from you either! )

Normally I'd use the motor mover, but today I reversed hitched up through an S shaped approach in a single movement ending up with the caravan exactly parallel and central in its bay and even in the exactly correct position front to back. So lowered the jockey wheel and that was it. Just a bit disappointed that no-one saw me doing it.

I had the same positive feeling when I first did it. But the next time wasn’t so great. But big “well done”.

 

[Brasso530]

It’s a very satisfying feeling when perfect first time. Years ago I reversed onto a pitch at a camc site on the blind side absolutely perfect in the rain,anyone witness it,not a sole.Now if I’d jackknifed it several times or backed over the stake every man and his dog would’ve been sat out watching 😂

 

[Buckman]

It was very rare for me to use the motor mover to put the caravan into storage. I always had OH guiding me and it was a tight fit with a twin axle.

 

[borderbilly]

I always check the MM before I go away, but to date I haven't used it on site.

 

[Beachball]

Some years ago i just reverse on the pitch at the storage very tight fit with storages boxes on one side and caravans never use the MM but i was glad it was there .

 

[izzy]

For some reason our small single axle van is very twitchy to reverse so I always use MM to avoid embarrassment.
Also our drive is long and steep so they are a must anyway.
I can reverse my sons long TA and park it on a sixpence and so can he but my little van has a mind of its own.
Well done and hope it makes it easier for next time

 

[borderbilly]

When I reverse I hear the voice of my HGV instructor, the more you put on, the more you take off, and you don't need a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Works all the time.

 

[RogerL]

For some reason our small single axle van is very twitchy to reverse so I always use MM to avoid embarrassment.
Also our drive is long and steep so they are a must anyway.
I can reverse my sons long TA and park it on a sixpence and so can he but my little van has a mind of its own.
Well done and hope it makes it easier for next time

Short trailers are more "twitchy" than long trailers

 

[izzy]

I've had short vans before but somehow this one seems a bit worse.
probably just me.

 

[borderbilly]

Everyone is different, it's what suits you, MM or reverse. There is no right or wrong way. I like to reverse on to the pitch as its quicker for me rather than engage MM, open battery box , time I've done that I could be on pitch. Plus reversing gives you a excuse to shout at the wife who doesn't know her left from right.👍

 

[Mr Grumpy]

Rather depends on the situation.
Prefer to reverse onto a pitch but invariably end up using the mover to line up the ALKO lock.
In storage I go for the mover because it's a bit of a tight fit.

 

[Sam Vimes]

I occasionally use a short trailer with wire frame sides and I can reverse that ok because I can see it completely and through it.

Not so the caravan.

Just been on a site that had small pitches and narrow 'roads' through it. Some were impossible to be coupled up and reverse in or out of without repositioning the caravan first.

 

[Hutch]

Well done Andrew, you have to remember that the harder the pitch your trying to reverse onto depends on how many people are watching.
Putting our caravan onto a seriously hard pitch at 6 pm. In France, everyone outside drinking and BBQ, ing, they don't Cadac. We had one shot at getting it in. Managed it 30 minutes later sitting outside with a G and T and a beer.
Rule Britannia.