Reversing confusion

Disabled wife so I just get out and have a look myself, get near as damn and then unhitch and use mover if I have to.

 ... but  by the time I've found the caravan keys, gone inside the caravan  & lifted the front bench to turn the mover back on (it turns itself off after so long) found the mover handset, un-hitched .... I could reverse the caravan onto the pitch given enough room, which is often lacking on a club site. 

On site I generally use the mover. I need it anyway to align the Alko Hub Lock

paid £1k for mover, so why would i risk clutch burn out or possible divorce , so mover always for me

My caravanning companion will assist if:-

• The sun is shining
• It is not raining
• There is no wind
• The ground is firm with no lying water
• There are no midgies, birds, or dogs about
• She is not wearing high heels.

So I usually just get on with it and reverse as getting a "pass" on all six paramaters is very unlikely, then I get troubled by being told I didn't stop to let her out!

£1k for a mover !! Ide rather put up with my , not very good assistant .. After 30 years of shwbo  sending me the wrong way . I have probably spent more on scottitsh water to relax . Thinking about it , i may be wrong .

Yes - since having a tow car with hands free phone operation we always use them when I’m reversing. Apart from easy communication it means my wife can move from side to side of the caravan to make sure that both sides will avoid any obstruction.

Tony Burton if you read my question again you will find that it says ".... my husband disappears out of view". I'm always in the driving seat, whether its going forward or backwards in the UK or Europe. 

Thank you all for your advice and looking forward to trying to explain some of then to hubby and putting them into practise.

What are your thoughts on standing in front of the car and guiding from the front after inspecting where you want to reverse into?

If either of us attempt to reverse onto a pitch, it’ll usually be me, otherwise we use the motormover.  If the pitch is on the offside, and there’s plenty of room, I’m happy to give it a go.  OH is not great at giving directions, but at least he can’t blame me (as is usually the case for most things).

After several years of having the caravan, with OH doing all the driving, I went on one of the club’s towing courses and found it really useful.  I don’t think you really understand, as a banks person (let’s be pc here), exactly what information the driver needs to help them reverse the caravan effectively until you’ve experienced doing it.

Hi all,

I think that there is a more important stage before you get to this reversing action, involving your partner, that will make your reversing action a less stressful experience.    There are two things that can help you make a better job of parking your van;  first, try, if possible, to ensure you, the driver, are on the side where you can see the peg.     I see too many people trying to reverse from the blind-side and making a complete hash of it.  Even if it involves going around the block to get on the right side; and try and do a walking recce’ before you start.

Secondly, try using your mirrors more, all 3 of them, instead of twisting in the drivers seat and looking back over your shoulder, which makes the manoeuvre more difficult, especially if you wear specs’.     This can be practiced in any empty car park, without your van, just like when you were learning to drive.   It needs practice.    Above all, don’t rush, take your time.    I hope this helps those of you who find reversing onto a pitch difficult.

BillC