Reversing confusion

wendil replied on 24/01/2020 23:46

Posted on 24/01/2020 23:46

Where should the "guider" stand while directing the driver when reversing the caravan? 

My husband and I have this "discussion" nearly every time we have to reverse.  As the rear of the  caravan swings when changing direction he disappears out of view in the wing mirror,  Someone once told me that the best place for the guider to stand is in front of the car and guide the driver from there. How do you avoid a disappearing guider and do you have and answer to our dilemma?

replied on 25/01/2020 00:00

Posted on 25/01/2020 00:00

As the driver I want anybody guiding to be rear of the caravan but to one side such that they can view the corner furthest away from them.

If I am swinging the caravan in such that the rear is swinging towards that drivers side. If the caravan is swinging towards the passenger side I want them on that side. stood so that they can see me in the appropriate mirror which means I can see them. If on site however I use the motor mover smile

replied on 25/01/2020 11:56

Posted on 25/01/2020 11:56

Just Bumping this up

Metheven replied on 25/01/2020 12:43

Posted on 25/01/2020 12:43

To my mind if you disappear somewhere behind the caravan that is being reversed, you are no good at all to the driver. I always ask my wife (in the nicest way) to sidestep at the rear if necessary ensuring she can see my wing mirror on the appropriate side, if she can see the mirror then I can see her directions.

After all this we mostly end up speaking to one another.wink

DavidKlyne replied on 25/01/2020 12:50

Posted on 25/01/2020 12:50

We used to have a caravan and Margaret always stood near to the post as her role was to make sure I didn't go too far back. Usually by the time I got as far back as the peg I was able to pull forward to straighten up so I could easily see the peg on the final reverse back. It's not such an easy thing to answer as it often depends on how much room you have and of course the competence of the driver when reversing. This is probably something which is covered on one of the towing courses the Club runs?

I would sometimes cheat and use the moverwink

David

Rocky 2 buckets replied on 25/01/2020 13:26

Posted on 25/01/2020 13:26

The only ‘rule’ needed is-if you can see the drivers face in one of the wing mirrors they can see you. If the C/van stops you seeing the drivers face in the mirror switch to the other side๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ˜Š

PS-stick to this rule & all disagreements will be a thing of the past.

MikeyA replied on 25/01/2020 13:32

Posted on 25/01/2020 12:50 by DavidKlyne

We used to have a caravan and Margaret always stood near to the post as her role was to make sure I didn't go too far back. Usually by the time I got as far back as the peg I was able to pull forward to straighten up so I could easily see the peg on the final reverse back. It's not such an easy thing to answer as it often depends on how much room you have and of course the competence of the driver when reversing. This is probably something which is covered on one of the towing courses the Club runs?

I would sometimes cheat and use the moverwink

David

Posted on 25/01/2020 13:32

or move the peg!

EmilysDad replied on 25/01/2020 13:32

Posted on 25/01/2020 13:32

My banks woman almost always stands in one & only place on the site where I can't see her ..... apparently it's normally my fault! ๐Ÿ˜’

replied on 25/01/2020 13:41

Posted on 25/01/2020 13:26 by Rocky 2 buckets

The only โ€˜ruleโ€™ needed is-if you can see the drivers face in one of the wing mirrors they can see you. If the C/van stops you seeing the drivers face in the mirror switch to the other side๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ˜Š

PS-stick to this rule & all disagreements will be a thing of the past.

Posted on 25/01/2020 13:41

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

replied on 25/01/2020 13:45

Posted on 25/01/2020 13:45

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Tinwheeler replied on 25/01/2020 13:50

Posted on 25/01/2020 13:50

We used to do exactly as Rocky described when we had a caravan and it worked๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป  

The other 'rule' is to keep hand signals simple and to a minimum. Arms flailing like a windmill help no one, although it can be entertaining for onlookers.

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