Club Membership

mauramac

Can anyone recommend or suggest which clubs might offer good service for people new to Motor caravanning - like me!! I am hoping to find somewhere I can go and have some comprehensive training in driving, manouvering and basically learning all about using a MH. Need to find out about electrics, gas usage, water tanks - in fact all they can teach me. Must be courses somewhere for complete novices, but where to start?

I know an elderly friend of mine went on a course on how to tow a caravan and hook up etc but that was over 30 years ago. Just hoping something similar exists for MH's.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Malc

I think the Caravan Club do courses on driving vans and occasionally MH`s. The bits and pieces regarding the van you can pick up here, dont be afraid to ask questions, nobody bites and nothing is too silly, we all started somewhere.
Lesson 1 NEVER hook up to the electric point before you connect to your van, and in reverse, always disconnect the end at the electric point before the van and [u:39db94c46e]never ever [/u:39db94c46e]leave the electric lead connected to the hook up point and go out for the day, the end is live!
Lesson 2 Dont leave spare cable on hook up coiled up on a drum or otherwise, it can generate heat and melt, let it lay loose!

mauramac

Oh blimey, see I wouldn't have had a clue about all that stuff - and my son is a sparks as well. He would have disowned me if I had done anything silly - there must be a book I could read like the ones for new PC users "Windows for Dummies".

Maybe all the experienced MH's on here could write a chapter each - you know, Pusser on toilet etiquette, Raine on Best places to get Roasties, Ben & Lizzie on directions North etc etc

Seriously though, thanks for those tips, I am a bit nervous about making a complete dog's breakfast of the whole thing but do appreciate all the help and advice that I get on here.

MandyandDave

[quote:d138f20ba5]I know an elderly friend of mine went on a course on how to tow a caravan and hook up etc but that was over 30 years ago. Just hoping something similar exists for MH's.
[/quote:d138f20ba5]

If it does I've not seen it, thank gawd! Rolling Eyes

The days of men wearing bobble hats and tank tops, having time trials reversing Morris Oxfords with a caravan on the back in between straw bales, not forgetting of course the obligatory pipe sticking out of the corner of the mouth......
Dead and buried hopefully!

Regards M&D

mauramac

How lovely to be so confident and skilled, you must be really pleased with yourselves.

However I am firm believer you never too old to learn and have huge amount of admiration for this particular 70+ lady who learnt how to manouver her caravan (sorry didn't realise it was a swear word in here) with great skill then proceeded to successfully tour the UK and Europe on her own. Now I know caravans (there said it again) not to everyones liking and I would not want one myself, but we can't all be the same - thankfully.

Thanks to those who have offered words of real help and encouragement, they are much appreciated.

autostratus · Moderator

I can understand your worries but they will go as you make use of your motorhome.
Have you thought of contacting your nearest HGV driver training business. While you may not want to train up to HGV standard and drive an artic. many of the skills you are looking to acquire are the same as covered by instruction for HGV drivers training to drive large rigid lorries.

A couple of hours with a professional may do wonders for your confidence.

mauramac

Thanks Gillian
maybe I am worrying too much - my friends and family asure me I am a good driver and normally a very confident sort of person when tackling anything new. Not sure really why I am getting my knickers in a twist on this matter - maybe just need to chill out after a very stressful couple of years with lots of upheaval and losing some loved ones.

Thanks for your support and I am sure I will regain my confidence because this is something I have been wanting to do since my children were very small (they now grown up and flown the nest) so I think I have been very patient. Now we are in our early 50's and have more time to travel and see all those places I hear other MH's talking about and I can't wait.

Thanks again

Maura

Anonymous

Jesus Malc... I hadn't even heard of lesson 1 Embarassed

Pray tell what lesson three is before I blow myself up and any subsequent lessons.

autostratus · Moderator

One of the things which we have noticed when driving a motorhome in France is the much higher proportion of women driving them. It seems commonplace there.
Use your vehicle as much as possible in the early days. Initially take small journeys as your concentration will be extra high and this can be tiring.
You will have a greater length and a greater width to handle and you will soon adjust to this with practise. Reversing can be a problem but a reversing camera can be a great asset giving you the assurance that someone you can't see in your mirrors isn't lurking behind your vehicle.

Good luck and I hope you soon get to see those places you are dreaming about. They will wait for you! Smile