Reversing tips for Newbie

[millers]

On one occassion I have asked my wife to get in the car and I have stood in front of the car and used my hand to direct the steering wheel. I used the same motion as if I was gripping the wheel from the windscreen side. All my wife had to do was follow the steering wheel. Had my daughter at the back to make sure we did not go too far back. This way you can see the van and car and have no issues with being able to line things up. The locals (those already set up) thought this was going to be great when my wife hoped in, but where dissapointed when it when in first time. I would say that my wife has no idea how to back a van, so had no inclination to look at anything but my directions. As these are steering wheel directions there is no problem with left - right etc. As for speed just let it idle and go slow.
Maybe a remote control for the car where you can stand out the front and reverse it back, or are they called caravan movers.
Unfortunately this method has stopped as we now have a manual and the wife can not drive it. Will need to train up the daughter when she gets her licence.

Like the idea about the stick and marking out position. Will need to try that one, and will measure twice reverse once.

 

[TACA]

my $0.02
first off, look at the site, and plan where you want the Van to sit
some people find it easier to reverse into a site from the left, some from the right


as @Dandy said - I was taught to put my right hand at the bottom of the steering wheel, push wheel left to get Van to go right or push it right, to make the Van go left.
(you need to try this with a 6x4 trailer to understand maybe....... DONT try it without a small trailer or your Van on - it wont work, and you will get more confused)

Practice makes for less entertainment for others..........


I dont know of ANYONE who mastered reversing first time.........

Right hand at the bottom and push steering wheel left the van will go left, not right. Not having a dig Bigcol, just taking confusion out.
Oh and just to add, if you can back a 6x4 trailer, you can back anything. The longer the A frame, or the distance from wheels to tow hitch, the easier it is to reverse, (except when in tight spaces of course).

 

[TACA]

Hi
Does anyone have any reversing tips, especially for the person outside directing the van.

I don't plan on becoming this years entertainment

Merry Christmas
cheers
Jill

Jill, if I am directing someone, I usually say left or right hand down. (this means to the driver to pull down on the steering wheel with which ever side hand i say). This works well, but only if the directing person understands which way the trailer or van will move when giving such directions.

 

[Hobbsy]

I came across a thing called the "Marriage Saver", a 'V' bracket that fits on your tow bar. Surely they named it for a reason!

 

[chartrock]

I came across a thing called the "Marriage Saver", a 'V' bracket that fits on your tow bar. Surely they named it for a reason!

They are only for backing the tug onto the trailer, it plays no part in reversing the trailer/van. But it is an extremely useful device.

 

[jeff]

I find it helpful to use low range 4WD (if you have it) you can back very slowly in 1st gear

 

[Hubble80]

The wife and I have a system which works for us, some of you will probably laugh though!!!

We use the phones on Bluetooth and talk that way. She stands on the site and simply says left or right, which way the rear of the van needs to go. With that I turn the wheel the opposite direction.

Took us a few goes to master it but we have it sorted. When we get home, she can guide me into the carport perfectly. We have a steep downhill into the carport and we have to reverse the van in on an angle and swing the front at the last minute. If we don't the antenna will catch the roof.

 

[mfexpanda]

We use handheld cb

 

[Crusty181]

After a few animated discussions, we no longer use the subjective lefts and rights. We use driver and passenger, front and rear. Now we don't have that thick tension in the air for the first hour after every setup. (I miss that hour. It was very peaceful)

 

[MicknJill]

Hi Everyone

Thankyou so very much for your advice.

We survived our first maiden voyage marriage intact. We left Canberra Boxing Day and drove to Melbourne for a few day and parked in a relatives front yard which was great and gave us time to practice. We stayed at Orbost overnight and returned via the Monaro Highway. Lovely part of the world.

The reversing went OK but we still need practice; although the lady staying in the tent behind us at Orbost thought we were so organised we had been caravanning for years. That gave me a boost of confidence. At least we look like we know what we are doing.

I think we will get CBs but I like the phone idea too so might use that next time to see how it goes.

BTW - Lesson learnt on first trip - always lock the draws otherwise your draw breaks and cutlery goes everywhere.

We are heading to the South Coast (with a million other Canberrians) for Australia Day week.

Cant wait to do it all again. This think this can become addictive.

Belated Merry Christmas to you all.

cheers
Jill