Practice makes perfect

Well, that's the theory. It can take some people a lot of practice to become perfect, or even nearly perfect at reversing a car and caravan outfit.

The simple rule of thumb is that steering works in the opposite way to normal, so if you want the outfit to go to the left, turn the steering wheel to the right ('right hand down').

Don't leave it until you arrive at your first caravan park to begin that practice! All that will do is provide endless entertainment for caravanners around you watching the painful process of you reversing onto your pitch. You often see a husband and wife team, after several abortive attempts at reversing, unhitch the caravan and push it into place by hand! And there's nothing wrong with that!

Instead, make your way to the local supermarket car park or industrial estate on a Sunday morning, and practice manoevring your outfit where there are no other vehicles.

The Caravan Club runs towing courses at centres across the UK.

To reverse in a straight line, use your door mirrors to watch the caravan. Whichever side of the caravan appears to increase in your mirrors, turn the steering wheel towards that side. Move slowly to give yourself time to react.

Levelling

Choose a level pitch or hardstanding and save yourself the bother!

Side to side levelling You will need a ramp - available from accessory stores. Reverse onto your pitch, about a foot further back than you need to be, and place the ramp in front of the wheel that needs to be raised. Place a spirit level parallel to the axle on the A-frame or just inside the door. Very slowly drive the car forward while a partner watches the spirit level until centred. Firmly handbrake the caravan, and chock the raised wheel.

Front to back levelling Put a spirit level just inside the door and use the jockey wheel to raise or lower the front of the van until level. Lower the corner steadies to hold this position.

REVERSING

Some advice from other caravanners:

• Take the Caravan Club's towing course!
• Practice somewhere safe, like an industrial estate on Sunday.
• Get the outfit near to straight as possible. Steering is opposite to normal - if you want the van to go right turn your wheel left and if you want van to go left turn you wheel right.
• Start with your hands at the bottom of the steering wheel lift the hand in whichever direction the van should go, i.e. if the rear of van needs to go left, lift your left hand. Only do this slightly then straighten your wheel again. Keep it slow and steady.
• To reverse in a straight line, the secret is to go very slowly and watch the caravan in the door mirrors. If the van starts 'getting bigger' in one mirror, steer just a touch towards that mirror until it equalises again. If it all goes 'orrible, stop, drive forward a few yards so everything straightens up, then have another go.