Towing advice new caravanner
Discussion
So i've gone to the dark side and as the family is getting bigger, ditched the tent, ditched the camper van and gone all in on a caravan for this year.
Its a 5 berth Bailey Pursuit so although its single axle, its quite long. I've never towed before, only driven large vans at work (7m Iveco) and have a D1 so i'm not alien to driving large vehicles. This is a bit of a different beast altogether though. Car is a 2.2 Accord estate so should pull it no problem. Its 1700kg maximum towing weight and the van is 1394kg is MAM so somewhere around 74% match.
I think the biggest thing that concerns me is the swing at the rear. I'm conscious that i'll turn right out of a junction and whatever street sign is on the nearside as the rear swings around! Any tips that can be given?
Its a 5 berth Bailey Pursuit so although its single axle, its quite long. I've never towed before, only driven large vans at work (7m Iveco) and have a D1 so i'm not alien to driving large vehicles. This is a bit of a different beast altogether though. Car is a 2.2 Accord estate so should pull it no problem. Its 1700kg maximum towing weight and the van is 1394kg is MAM so somewhere around 74% match.
I think the biggest thing that concerns me is the swing at the rear. I'm conscious that i'll turn right out of a junction and whatever street sign is on the nearside as the rear swings around! Any tips that can be given?
New to this myself but I'll just pitch in that the towing % weight is car kerb weight / van MTPLM. You'll still be around 85% by the look of it so correctly laden it should handle well enough.
My first outing of any length is on Monday. I'll be going slowly mostly watching my width using the towing mirrors and learning about pivot points etc. I'll admit that I hadn't even considered what you are concerned about so I'll add that to my list of towing anxieties
My first outing of any length is on Monday. I'll be going slowly mostly watching my width using the towing mirrors and learning about pivot points etc. I'll admit that I hadn't even considered what you are concerned about so I'll add that to my list of towing anxieties
Get good mirror extensions, the cheap ones are crap.
Never towed a van, but have a large covered box trailer for the kitcar. Reversing aside, you are not going to be close enough the rear swing is an issue. More common I would say is clipping and inside curb, but it's easy enough to go wider.
Keep the speed sensible, don't rush.
Presumably you have a antisway bar or hitch.
Daniel
Never towed a van, but have a large covered box trailer for the kitcar. Reversing aside, you are not going to be close enough the rear swing is an issue. More common I would say is clipping and inside curb, but it's easy enough to go wider.
Keep the speed sensible, don't rush.
Presumably you have a antisway bar or hitch.
Daniel
As long as you keep your eye on the inside wheel of the caravan you shouldn’t have a problem. Effectively if the caravan wheel is close to the kerb then the back will not swing over any more then you could have done. Therefor you have done the best you can do. I worried about this when I got my caravan but I have never had a problem.
Don’t turn tight remember that the caravan cuts the corner tighter.
Don’t turn tight remember that the caravan cuts the corner tighter.
Edited by chasingracecars on Friday 9th February 11:10
Take it steady, read the road ahead so as to avoid hard braking or acceleration.
Set and use the mirror extensions to see the traffic behind. Set the door mirrors down to see the road surface and the lower part of the caravan - that helps to position yourself well on the road and, when turning, shows where the inside wheel is going.
Set and use the mirror extensions to see the traffic behind. Set the door mirrors down to see the road surface and the lower part of the caravan - that helps to position yourself well on the road and, when turning, shows where the inside wheel is going.
Going to watch this thread with interest as much like the OP I'm thinking of turning to the darkside this year. Never towed and the biggest thing I've ever driven is a box van. My Dad towed from when we were young without ever having any training that I can remember so how hard can it be Luckily I'm old enough to have all the categories I need on my licence.
Luckily I'm old enough to have all the categories I need on my licence.Our caravan is a swift 550 single axle, so I think about 7.5m total overall. The only time I worry about the rear swing is when setting off from the drive on full lock as I have to pass the neighbours car. When normal driving taking an arc round a corner I think the forward movement sort of cancels out the sideways if that makes sense so rear swing isn't such an issue if you can keep moving forward.
If you get to somewhere where you need to reverse into, say your pitch or something, I find it easier to try to approach so that you are reversing with the caravan turning toward the car, i.e. drive past with the space you are going in to on the drivers side, then reverse in, but I tow with a van so visibility is limited if I try to do it on the nearside. I still struggle with judging where the rear of the caravan is and occasionally have to get out to check. I'd rather do that and let someone else watching "think" I can't drive rather than hit something!
If you get to somewhere where you need to reverse into, say your pitch or something, I find it easier to try to approach so that you are reversing with the caravan turning toward the car, i.e. drive past with the space you are going in to on the drivers side, then reverse in, but I tow with a van so visibility is limited if I try to do it on the nearside. I still struggle with judging where the rear of the caravan is and occasionally have to get out to check. I'd rather do that and let someone else watching "think" I can't drive rather than hit something!
Edited by chrisga on Friday 9th February 10:46
Thanks for all the advice, sounds like the swing isnt that much to worry about. Having experience with very long wheel base vans, then I know about the swing on the side to avoid sending it over the kerb.
Towing mirrors were my next thing, i'll get hold of some. Whats the consensus on a decent pair? The van is Alko stabilised anyway on the hitch and i've got a pair of Alko shocks to go onto the chassis just to damp it a bit more. I'll probably pick up a noseweight indicator as well until I have an idea of what i'm doing with regards to loading it.
Dont have to worry too much about reversing onto a pitch as its got a mover!
Towing mirrors were my next thing, i'll get hold of some. Whats the consensus on a decent pair? The van is Alko stabilised anyway on the hitch and i've got a pair of Alko shocks to go onto the chassis just to damp it a bit more. I'll probably pick up a noseweight indicator as well until I have an idea of what i'm doing with regards to loading it.
Dont have to worry too much about reversing onto a pitch as its got a mover!
Chicken Chaser said:
Thanks for all the advice, sounds like the swing isnt that much to worry about. Having experience with very long wheel base vans, then I know about the swing on the side to avoid sending it over the kerb.
Towing mirrors were my next thing, i'll get hold of some. Whats the consensus on a decent pair? The van is Alko stabilised anyway on the hitch and i've got a pair of Alko shocks to go onto the chassis just to damp it a bit more. I'll probably pick up a noseweight indicator as well until I have an idea of what i'm doing with regards to loading it.
Dont have to worry too much about reversing onto a pitch as its got a mover!
Use the Milenco Aeros on mine, they have been fine, bounce a little bit but not impairing visibility.Towing mirrors were my next thing, i'll get hold of some. Whats the consensus on a decent pair? The van is Alko stabilised anyway on the hitch and i've got a pair of Alko shocks to go onto the chassis just to damp it a bit more. I'll probably pick up a noseweight indicator as well until I have an idea of what i'm doing with regards to loading it.
Dont have to worry too much about reversing onto a pitch as its got a mover!
With regard to the mover, don't rely on it as one day it will not work and you will need to remember how! Also if not on hookup then using the mover does drain the battery flat quite quickly.
Manners2001 said:
This wouldn't be PH without me adding - keep off the roads, caravans - boo, hiss! Etc......
A la Top Gear, please do watch out for the tail backs you will undoubtedly cause and be a considerate chap and pull over to let us past occasionally!
Oi! I've been caravanning for only a year and find that I can keep up with most traffic on A roads. I've had people pull out to overtake and suddenly realise there's someone in front of me, much to the consternation of me, him, and the oncoming vehicle.A la Top Gear, please do watch out for the tail backs you will undoubtedly cause and be a considerate chap and pull over to let us past occasionally!
My sentiments too! I have only ever towed with a car combo that allows me to do under 10secs 0-60 with the caravan. On A roads it’s 60mph max but that is the legal limit. On dual carriageways and motorways it’s 65mph but I keep to the left hand lane unless overtaking. Never caused a tailback.
Very diligent of you chaps - I commend and thank you on behalf of motorists across the UK!
Unfortunately you only represent 0.000something % of the caravanners who like to clog up the roads so they can crap in a field for a weekend! (I'm a tenter myself).
Do PH caravanners have ways of making their caravans handle better to ensure motoring enjoyment is not lost? Suspension upgrades, bracing struts or go faster stripes?
Back to the OP though, never try manoeuvring with a temper - it always ends badly! My experience with trailers suggests that going and having a cup of tea and re-gaining a sense of perspective can save costly mistakes!
Unfortunately you only represent 0.000something % of the caravanners who like to clog up the roads so they can crap in a field for a weekend! (I'm a tenter myself).
Do PH caravanners have ways of making their caravans handle better to ensure motoring enjoyment is not lost? Suspension upgrades, bracing struts or go faster stripes?
Back to the OP though, never try manoeuvring with a temper - it always ends badly! My experience with trailers suggests that going and having a cup of tea and re-gaining a sense of perspective can save costly mistakes!
I've just picked up a set of Alko dampers to add to the van to stop it from being as bouncy on the road. According to tow info, my Accord should drag it far quicker than it needs to be. I've never been one to hang around, but i'll have to take caution with the max speed limits when towing!
R0G said:
I think the GVW of the accord is max 2100 so as the van is under 1500 MTPLM that means it can be driven on a B licence
As for the rear end swing on the n/s when turning right - there will not be any unless you hammer it round causing the rear of the van to skid out
Yup, thats exactly the reason why I picked the Pursuit 540 as it was 1394kg fully loaded! R0G i'm sure you meant 1400 MTPLM :wink:As for the rear end swing on the n/s when turning right - there will not be any unless you hammer it round causing the rear of the van to skid out
I take it skidding isnt recommended then ?
R0G said:
I think the GVW of the accord is max 2100 so as the van is under 1500 MTPLM that means it can be driven on a B licence
As for the rear end swing on the n/s when turning right - there will not be any unless you hammer it round causing the rear of the van to skid out
Thats 100Kg too much.As for the rear end swing on the n/s when turning right - there will not be any unless you hammer it round causing the rear of the van to skid out
chasingracecars said:
My sentiments too! I have only ever towed with a car combo that allows me to do under 10secs 0-60 with the caravan. On A roads it’s 60mph max but that is the legal limit. On dual carriageways and motorways it’s 65mph but I keep to the left hand lane unless overtaking. Never caused a tailback.
You might want to check that 
Johnnybee said:
chasingracecars said:
My sentiments too! I have only ever towed with a car combo that allows me to do under 10secs 0-60 with the caravan. On A roads it’s 60mph max but that is the legal limit. On dual carriageways and motorways it’s 65mph but I keep to the left hand lane unless overtaking. Never caused a tailback.
You might want to check that 
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