My worst and very nearly my last caravanning moment
This story happened on: 11/03/2012
Long time ago, but the memory is still imprinted!
Imagine, new to caravanning, brand new caravan, first trip out, first try at pitching. Nice site close to home just for a tryout to get the hang of things. Nice wooded site, easy access but given a pitch in among some trees. Studied the pitch for a while and concluded it was not possible to weave round the trees whilst reversing the van. So, as it was downhill a bit to the pitch there would be no problem moving the van by hand. Uncoupled the van and the two of us eased it down towards the pitch.
We all know what's coming now! Yes, the van speeded up alarmingly and pulling on the handles just caused both of us to skid on the damp grass. Handbrake was pulled on, but just as quickly disengaged itself as the reversing mechanism kicked in. This was getting serious now, and pushing up on the handbrake was not enough to engage it as it was runnung aay from me. Eventually I managed to push down on the hitch and jerk up on the handbrake at the same time and thankfully the van stopped very quickly.
The quick stop caused the hitch to fly upwards narrowly missing my face, and then the whole thing came crashing down just missing my foot! When I dared to venture to the rear of the van, the very solid fence was just 6 inches away...
I can laugh about it now, but at the time it was anything but funny. From that day on the van never left the car, regardless of any pitch difficulty, until the van was finally in position and very firmly braked and chocked.
Jim1
Motorhomer