RV FEATURE
But many years ago, a wise caravanner
shared the following advice with me, and it
changed my vanning life:
-HAND
HT
G
1. As you reverse, hold the steering wheel at
of approach, stop and consider which
way you want the van to travel. Holding
the wheel at the bottom, move your
hands accordingly.
V
ER
SE L F T
E
D DO
W
AN
H
3. To recover your line or adjust your angle
E
direction that you want the van to travel.
To turn the van left, move your hands to
the left, which is effectively right-hand
down on the wheel. To turn it right, move
your hands to the right.
LEFT
2. Then, simply turn the wheel in the
the bottom.
4. As with every reversing manoeuvre,
there’s no rush. Go slowly, never minding
the lookie-loos, and you will get there.
VA
N
R EVER
SE
R
EXPERIENCE COUNTS
Marty and Kylie Ledwich of RVeeThereYet.com
have been on the road for more than a year.
And when it comes to backing up a trailer,
they’re pros.
“Kylie is responsible for the van and I'm
responsible for the car,” Marty said. “Kylie has
a hand-held UHF and she tells me to turn left
or right or go straight.
“I keep my hand on the bottom of the steering
wheel and I know to move my hand in the
direction she tells me. I keep an eye on the front
of the car to avoid any obstacles like bollards.
“This method requires the driver to have
absolute confidence in the guide and is
not for everyone. It also requires the driver to
understand that the guide is giving directions
from her point of view, i.e., when Kylie says
turn right, she is referring to her right.
If I keep my face forward and just use my
mirrors, then my left and right match her
left and right. I'm almost certain this is the
reason why couples get mixed up and
end up arguing.”
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