Arrived at caravan park at Queanbeyan? iknow iam not the best reverse parker , but i always get my van in correctly. On arriving to today i had a couple of goes getting .lined up , when a fellow owner presents himself at my window, mate can i guide you ? , i have mywife out ready to help as we do always. It strikes me that in this case the helper was waiting to pounce. I refused his help and he went off unhappily . I like to do it my way in my time , experience makes perfect or bett
Possum3 said
05:45 AM Jul 5, 2021
Nope. I always accept a friendly offer of help - even though I consider myself competent to reverse park solo. Sometimes there are new friends to be made, so why not accept help offered?
Whenarewethere said
07:22 AM Jul 5, 2021
You are the driver, you decide whether you want help or not.
Most people don't know how to show a distance signal so they are of no use anyway.
TheHeaths said
07:42 AM Jul 5, 2021
I am with you JN.
I much prefer to do the move slowly my way with help from my wife. I like to get out and ensure that I am fully aware of the site, and then as I do the move, I get out to ensure I am happy with where we are on the site.
I have been guided by some CP owners, and that generally is good, but saying that I did have a CP owner guide me onto a tight site, and it was only my wife calling out stopped me being guided into a fence.
Happy to make friends, but they can wait until I am set up and ready to relax, not show their wife, partner or those around how good they are at guiding others onto the site. I wonder what their response is when assistance is offered to them? Would they also happily accept the offer? I doubt they would and I expect they would explain their expert statute to anyone who offers.
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Monday 5th of July 2021 07:43:06 AM
Whenarewethere said
08:07 AM Jul 5, 2021
Regardless of you skills of reversing. Get a reversing camera, at the very least it is more information. If you don't want to spend the money you may be able to use your dashcam remotely if it has those options.
Mike Harding said
08:52 AM Jul 5, 2021
As a solo traveller sometimes reversing can be a test although I am reasonably competent at it and simply get out and walk around the van when in doubt.
However, in order not to offend, I always accept help but simply ignore their directions if I don't agree - "Oh, did you mean X, I didn't realise. Never mind this spot will do well. Thanks for your help" :)
----
Some people can be very annoyingly over-directive!
I recall a caravan site caretaker in Pakenham who I had asked where to hook up to water who, literally, snatched the new water hose I was unpacking from my hands in order to finish the unpacking and connect it. One has to smile....
Whenarewethere said
08:59 AM Jul 5, 2021
Or go to Italy & get lessons driving in & through tight locations. Absolutely amazing skills.
Trevor 57 said
10:02 AM Jul 5, 2021
I drove semi's and B-Doubles for a living, in fact for a period I worked as a heavy vehicle driver trainer. In my early days of driving trucks I was driving milk tankers and reversed into some of the most awkward places ever
I was left side reversing my old A'Van Cruiseliner into a carvan park bay, now Cruiseliner are NOT a big van, anyway owner of park appears on my left side, I wound down the window and says he would guide me, I politely refused his offer as I had been left side reversing for years, anyway it went on about park policy blah blah blah, and he stood in front of my left mirror so I couldn't see past him, so I thought OK I will let him guide me rather than argue, I did everything he said, next ****ing minute I jack-knifed and bent my rear bumper, well I lost my **** with him and he bolted. I will NEVER EVER go back to that park again
-- Edited by Trevor 57 on Monday 5th of July 2021 10:03:44 AM
oxleigh said
11:36 PM Jul 21, 2021
I consider myself good at reversing with a trailer and van and have no problems for years until at certain van parks they have a person who guides you in to your spot, I always try to say that I don't need the help thanks but they insist sometimes and look at you as though you are an idiot.
My wife understands what is needed and she is great at keeping an eye out for stray children and others who insist on walking behind a reversing vehicle, We have a rear camera on the van but the mirrors are more accurate.
My wife calls me on the hands free with her mobile and we can talk back and forth without me holding a mic, it works perfectly.
Safety is our first priority. I am amazed at the number of reverses who have no idea, obviously only tow once a year, there is a need to have a school that can teach reversing for a reasonable cost. if everyone could reverse properly we would miss out on our happy hour entertainment eh.
Go slow and have a good friendly experienced lookout and you will enjoy the skill and satisfaction of reversing, it's not hard.
dieseltojo said
08:44 AM Jul 22, 2021
I parked in a park at Queensland once in the dark and got in first go. Three fellow campers unknown to me were watching. Apparently the were worried about folks hitting the power poles etc.
They reckoned every one seems to hit others that year.
They congratulated me on even placing the wheels on these two little strips of concrete that the wheels are supposed to sit on. I said thanks guys been doin' it all my life....
Crikey that was good fun, as I hadn't even seen those two bits of concrete they were only about a foot wide.... Take any credit you can get I say.
dorian said
10:06 AM Jul 22, 2021
Very interesting thread. The consensus seems to be, "don't bother helping me, just piss off and mind your own business".
Are We Lost said
12:44 PM Jul 22, 2021
Sometimes, when help is offered but refused, offence is taken. If you don't want to accept the help, an easy way to decline might be ...
"I (or we) like to practice this so that when it is really tight and there is no help I can do it better".
KJB said
01:11 PM Jul 22, 2021
When I was a Caravan Park Owner /Operator we always offered to park customers vans after they booked in. The offer was always appreciated whether it was taken up or not. There was a considerable proportion who took the offer up for one or more of many reasons - pleasant surprise after a long days drive, saves another fight with their partner, they did not like or just could not reverse park .........and I remember on more than one occasion customers asking for advice or for me to talk them through the "reversing procedure.." We had some "drive through" sites too for some who ,we could sense, were not entirely happy with the first couple of options. No big deal . We just wanted our customers to be happy.
Rob Driver said
07:45 PM Jul 22, 2021
Many of those with licences to drive articulated vehicles without having to pass any test, might believe this to be a mute point.
If our tests are still similar to what they were 40 or maybe 50 years ago all that were wanting to drive a vehicle that was articulated, would have to, by law, pass an exam where the driver displayed the ability to actually reverse the combination. The test was in an articulated vehicle which was to be reversed to the left and to the right, and in a straight line.
So why is it in todays values that the government departments issue licences to people who aren't even asked to be able to display the ability to reverse an articulated vehicle when at the same time they are currently permitted to operate such a vehicle? In fact these licences are given to anyone who answers some questions and asks to drive a motor car under 4.5 tonnes.
In simple terms, no one should be operating any articulated vehicle without a drivers licence that is endorsed to display their ability to be able to fully control all aspects of an articulated vehicle including reversing the entire unit.
My suggestion to anyone who is operating a vehicle and caravan and they do not have a licence to operate an articulated vehicle then at the least, go and enrol in a course which may give you the advice and guidance to be able to operate that vehicle with a basic skill which will cause no damage to property or to others safety.
I personally don't offer to help anyone reversing their combination any more because many of them think they know how to do it (when they dont) and all but a very few are too proud or stupid to accept guidance.
-- Edited by Rob Driver on Thursday 22nd of July 2021 07:46:59 PM
Trevor 57 said
03:58 AM Jul 23, 2021
Rob Driver wrote:
Many of those with licences to drive articulated vehicles without having to pass any test, might believe this to be a mute point.
If our tests are still similar to what they were 40 or maybe 50 years ago all that were wanting to drive a vehicle that was articulated, would have to, by law, pass an exam where the driver displayed the ability to actually reverse the combination. The test was in an articulated vehicle which was to be reversed to the left and to the right, and in a straight line.
So why is it in todays values that the government departments issue licences to people who aren't even asked to be able to display the ability to reverse an articulated vehicle when at the same time they are currently permitted to operate such a vehicle? In fact these licences are given to anyone who answers some questions and asks to drive a motor car under 4.5 tonnes.
In simple terms, no one should be operating any articulated vehicle without a drivers licence that is endorsed to display their ability to be able to fully control all aspects of an articulated vehicle including reversing the entire unit.
My suggestion to anyone who is operating a vehicle and caravan and they do not have a licence to operate an articulated vehicle then at the least, go and enrol in a course which may give you the advice and guidance to be able to operate that vehicle with a basic skill which will cause no damage to property or to others safety.
I personally don't offer to help anyone reversing their combination any more because many of them think they know how to do it (when they dont) and all but a very few are too proud or stupid to accept guidance.
-- Edited by Rob Driver on Thursday 22nd of July 2021 07:46:59 PM
Your point in bold is totally untrue, as a former driver trainer who spent a lot of time in a management roles liaising with Vicroads about HV tests up to MC licence you are so far wrong it is not funny
Most States waaaay back (pre 2000) picked up on the Vicroads style HV tests, in fact the NSW HV test was (back then) very much competency based and was quite a good test
Pays to get facts right sometimes
yobarr said
06:27 AM Jul 23, 2021
Trevor 57 wrote:
Rob Driver wrote:
Many of those with licences to drive articulated vehicles without having to pass any test, might believe this to be a mute point.
If our tests are still similar to what they were 40 or maybe 50 years ago all that were wanting to drive a vehicle that was articulated, would have to, by law, pass an exam where the driver displayed the ability to actually reverse the combination. The test was in an articulated vehicle which was to be reversed to the left and to the right, and in a straight line.
So why is it in todays values that the government departments issue licences to people who aren't even asked to be able to display the ability to reverse an articulated vehicle when at the same time they are currently permitted to operate such a vehicle? In fact these licences are given to anyone who answers some questions and asks to drive a motor car under 4.5 tonnes.
In simple terms, no one should be operating any articulated vehicle without a drivers licence that is endorsed to display their ability to be able to fully control all aspects of an articulated vehicle including reversing the entire unit.
My suggestion to anyone who is operating a vehicle and caravan and they do not have a licence to operate an articulated vehicle then at the least, go and enrol in a course which may give you the advice and guidance to be able to operate that vehicle with a basic skill which will cause no damage to property or to others safety.
I personally don't offer to help anyone reversing their combination any more because many of them think they know how to do it (when they dont) and all but a very few are too proud or stupid to accept guidance.
-- Edited by Rob Driver on Thursday 22nd of July 2021 07:46:59 PM
Your point in bold is totally untrue, as a former driver trainer who spent a lot of time in a management roles liaising with Vicroads about HV tests up to MC licence you are so far wrong it is not funny
Most States waaaay back (pre 2000) picked up on the Vicroads style HV tests, in fact the NSW HV test was (back then) very much competency based and was quite a good test
Pays to get facts right sometimes
Trevor,I think you've misunderstood Rob's post? Unless I'm mistaken,the articulated vehicle to which Rob refers is a car and caravan,and,as he pointed out,any Tom,Dick or Harriet,can be let loose on the road in a vehicle under 4500kg,towing a trailer,never having been required to display any ability to control and manouvre that vehicle,and never having driven anything bigger than a Corolla.Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 23rd of July 2021 06:43:51 AM
Rob Driver said
09:14 AM Jul 23, 2021
Trevor 57 wrote:
Rob Driver wrote:
Many of those with licences to drive articulated vehicles without having to pass any test, might believe this to be a mute point.
If our tests are still similar to what they were 40 or maybe 50 years ago all that were wanting to drive a vehicle that was articulated, would have to, by law, pass an exam where the driver displayed the ability to actually reverse the combination. The test was in an articulated vehicle which was to be reversed to the left and to the right, and in a straight line.
So why is it in todays values that the government departments issue licences to people who aren't even asked to be able to display the ability to reverse an articulated vehicle when at the same time they are currently permitted to operate such a vehicle? In fact these licences are given to anyone who answers some questions and asks to drive a motor car under 4.5 tonnes.
In simple terms, no one should be operating any articulated vehicle without a drivers licence that is endorsed to display their ability to be able to fully control all aspects of an articulated vehicle including reversing the entire unit.
My suggestion to anyone who is operating a vehicle and caravan and they do not have a licence to operate an articulated vehicle then at the least, go and enrol in a course which may give you the advice and guidance to be able to operate that vehicle with a basic skill which will cause no damage to property or to others safety.
I personally don't offer to help anyone reversing their combination any more because many of them think they know how to do it (when they dont) and all but a very few are too proud or stupid to accept guidance.
-- Edited by Rob Driver on Thursday 22nd of July 2021 07:46:59 PM
Your point in bold is totally untrue, as a former driver trainer who spent a lot of time in a management roles liaising with Vicroads about HV tests up to MC licence you are so far wrong it is not funny
Most States waaaay back (pre 2000) picked up on the Vicroads style HV tests, in fact the NSW HV test was (back then) very much competency based and was quite a good test
Pays to get facts right sometimes
Hi Trevor 57
Sorry I ruffled your akubra mate,
I would have thought that the topic title and the posts immediately following the original post would indicate that the topic applied to caravaners.
Having worked in heavy transport all of my working life, I can assure you that i am full conversant with the requirements of licensing for driving heavy articulated vehicles.
Then from my post, this:
* In fact these licences are given to anyone who answers some questions and asks to drive a *motor car under 4.5 tonnes.*
*In simple terms, no one should be operating any articulated vehicle without a drivers licence that is endorsed to display their ability to be able to fully control all aspects of an articulated vehicle including reversing the entire unit.
My suggestion to anyone who is operating a vehicle and caravan and they do not have a licence to operate an articulated vehicle then at the least, go and enrol in a course which may give you the advice and guidance to be able to operate that vehicle with a basic skill which will cause no damage to property or to others safety.*
Thank you yobarr I meant it exactly how you understood it.
-- Edited by Rob Driver on Friday 23rd of July 2021 09:22:31 AM
Norweb said
02:01 PM Jul 25, 2021
I went to a CP and it was tight so I reversed to a point then got out and use my purple movers much to the disgust of the permanent caravaners. It seems people reversing is their entertainment.
Greg 1 said
03:03 PM Jul 25, 2021
I have been caravanning for most of my driving life or towing something heavy about the place, have made my living driving vehicles in the auto trade as a test driver and have held a driving instructors license in advanced driving.
I am pretty reasonable at reversing the odd trailer or van, but am not too proud to accept an offer of assistance particularly when reversing a large van into some of the tight park bays that are around. That extra set of eyes is always handy and whilst the helper may not turn out to be as good as he thinks he is, you can always get some benefit from them even if it's just meeting a new friend.
StewG said
04:34 PM Jul 26, 2021
Whether I accept help or not depends on the situation. It is sometimes helpful to have a second/third set of eyes watch out for obstacles that may not have been so obvious at first sight. I've only been caravanning for 5 years and mostly can reverse ok, but if it is a difficult spot and I'm tired after driving all day, it may take a bit longer and provide entertainment for the watchers. That's ok, I can handle being the butt of jokes. However, I do get practice when parking at home, because to get the caravan back down the narrow sideway to its resting place I have to negotiate a couple of s-bends in reverse - tricky.
One CP I stayed at, the manager insisted that he would direct me reversing into the particular site. "half right, straighten up, quarter left," etc. was what he said and it worked perfectly. I was amazed. He obviously had a lot of practice with many different rigs.
Arrived at caravan park at Queanbeyan? iknow iam not the best reverse parker , but i always get my van in correctly. On arriving to today i had a couple of goes getting .lined up , when a fellow owner presents himself at my window, mate can i guide you ? , i have mywife out ready to help as we do always. It strikes me that in this case the helper was waiting to pounce. I refused his help and he went off unhappily . I like to do it my way in my time , experience makes perfect or bett
You are the driver, you decide whether you want help or not.
Most people don't know how to show a distance signal so they are of no use anyway.
I am with you JN.
I much prefer to do the move slowly my way with help from my wife. I like to get out and ensure that I am fully aware of the site, and then as I do the move, I get out to ensure I am happy with where we are on the site.
I have been guided by some CP owners, and that generally is good, but saying that I did have a CP owner guide me onto a tight site, and it was only my wife calling out stopped me being guided into a fence.
Happy to make friends, but they can wait until I am set up and ready to relax, not show their wife, partner or those around how good they are at guiding others onto the site. I wonder what their response is when assistance is offered to them? Would they also happily accept the offer? I doubt they would and I expect they would explain their expert statute to anyone who offers.
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Monday 5th of July 2021 07:43:06 AM
Regardless of you skills of reversing. Get a reversing camera, at the very least it is more information. If you don't want to spend the money you may be able to use your dashcam remotely if it has those options.
As a solo traveller sometimes reversing can be a test although I am reasonably competent at it and simply get out and walk around the van when in doubt.
However, in order not to offend, I always accept help but simply ignore their directions if I don't agree - "Oh, did you mean X, I didn't realise. Never mind this spot will do well. Thanks for your help" :)
----
Some people can be very annoyingly over-directive!
I recall a caravan site caretaker in Pakenham who I had asked where to hook up to water who, literally, snatched the new water hose I was unpacking from my hands in order to finish the unpacking and connect it. One has to smile....
Or go to Italy & get lessons driving in & through tight locations. Absolutely amazing skills.
I drove semi's and B-Doubles for a living, in fact for a period I worked as a heavy vehicle driver trainer. In my early days of driving trucks I was driving milk tankers and reversed into some of the most awkward places ever
I was left side reversing my old A'Van Cruiseliner into a carvan park bay, now Cruiseliner are NOT a big van, anyway owner of park appears on my left side, I wound down the window and says he would guide me, I politely refused his offer as I had been left side reversing for years, anyway it went on about park policy blah blah blah, and he stood in front of my left mirror so I couldn't see past him, so I thought OK I will let him guide me rather than argue, I did everything he said, next ****ing minute I jack-knifed and bent my rear bumper, well I lost my **** with him and he bolted. I will NEVER EVER go back to that park again
-- Edited by Trevor 57 on Monday 5th of July 2021 10:03:44 AM
I consider myself good at reversing with a trailer and van and have no problems for years until at certain van parks they have a person who guides you in to your spot, I always try to say that I don't need the help thanks but they insist sometimes and look at you as though you are an idiot.
My wife understands what is needed and she is great at keeping an eye out for stray children and others who insist on walking behind a reversing vehicle, We have a rear camera on the van but the mirrors are more accurate.
My wife calls me on the hands free with her mobile and we can talk back and forth without me holding a mic, it works perfectly.
Safety is our first priority. I am amazed at the number of reverses who have no idea, obviously only tow once a year, there is a need to have a school that can teach reversing for a reasonable cost. if everyone could reverse properly we would miss out on our happy hour entertainment eh.
Go slow and have a good friendly experienced lookout and you will enjoy the skill and satisfaction of reversing, it's not hard.
I parked in a park at Queensland once in the dark and got in first go. Three fellow campers unknown to me were watching. Apparently the were worried about folks hitting the power poles etc.
They reckoned every one seems to hit others that year.
They congratulated me on even placing the wheels on these two little strips of concrete that the wheels are supposed to sit on. I said thanks guys been doin' it all my life....
Crikey that was good fun, as I hadn't even seen those two bits of concrete they were only about a foot wide....
Take any credit you can get I say.
"I (or we) like to practice this so that when it is really tight and there is no help I can do it better".
When I was a Caravan Park Owner /Operator we always offered to park customers vans after they booked in. The offer was always appreciated whether it was taken up or not. There was a considerable proportion who took the offer up for one or more of many reasons - pleasant surprise after a long days drive, saves another fight with their partner, they did not like or just could not reverse park .........and I remember on more than one occasion customers asking for advice or for me to talk them through the "reversing procedure.." We had some "drive through" sites too for some who ,we could sense, were not entirely happy with the first couple of options. No big deal . We just wanted our customers to be happy.
Many of those with licences to drive articulated vehicles without having to pass any test, might believe this to be a mute point.
If our tests are still similar to what they were 40 or maybe 50 years ago all that were wanting to drive a vehicle that was articulated, would have to, by law, pass an exam where the driver displayed the ability to actually reverse the combination.
The test was in an articulated vehicle which was to be reversed to the left and to the right, and in a straight line.
So why is it in todays values that the government departments issue licences to people who aren't even asked to be able to display the ability to reverse an articulated vehicle when at the same time they are currently permitted to operate such a vehicle?
In fact these licences are given to anyone who answers some questions and asks to drive a motor car under 4.5 tonnes.
In simple terms, no one should be operating any articulated vehicle without a drivers licence that is endorsed to display their ability to be able to fully control all aspects of an articulated vehicle including reversing the entire unit.
My suggestion to anyone who is operating a vehicle and caravan and they do not have a licence to operate an articulated vehicle then at the least, go and enrol in a course which may give you the advice and guidance to be able to operate that vehicle with a basic skill which will cause no damage to property or to others safety.
I personally don't offer to help anyone reversing their combination any more because many of them think they know how to do it (when they dont) and all but a very few are too proud or stupid to accept guidance.
-- Edited by Rob Driver on Thursday 22nd of July 2021 07:46:59 PM
Your point in bold is totally untrue, as a former driver trainer who spent a lot of time in a management roles liaising with Vicroads about HV tests up to MC licence you are so far wrong it is not funny
Most States waaaay back (pre 2000) picked up on the Vicroads style HV tests, in fact the NSW HV test was (back then) very much competency based and was quite a good test
Pays to get facts right sometimes
Trevor,I think you've misunderstood Rob's post? Unless I'm mistaken,the articulated vehicle to which Rob refers is a car and caravan,and,as he pointed out,any Tom,Dick or Harriet,can be let loose on the road in a vehicle under 4500kg,towing a trailer,never having been required to display any ability to control and manouvre that vehicle,and never having driven anything bigger than a Corolla.Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 23rd of July 2021 06:43:51 AM
Hi Trevor 57
Sorry I ruffled your akubra mate,
I would have thought that the topic title and the posts immediately following the original post would indicate that the topic applied to caravaners.
Having worked in heavy transport all of my working life, I can assure you that i am full conversant with the requirements of licensing for driving heavy articulated vehicles.
Then from my post, this:
* In fact these licences are given to anyone who answers some questions and asks to drive a *motor car under 4.5 tonnes.*
*In simple terms, no one should be operating any articulated vehicle without a drivers licence that is endorsed to display their ability to be able to fully control all aspects of an articulated vehicle including reversing the entire unit.
My suggestion to anyone who is operating a vehicle and caravan and they do not have a licence to operate an articulated vehicle then at the least, go and enrol in a course which may give you the advice and guidance to be able to operate that vehicle with a basic skill which will cause no damage to property or to others safety.*
Thank you yobarr I meant it exactly how you understood it.
-- Edited by Rob Driver on Friday 23rd of July 2021 09:22:31 AM
One CP I stayed at, the manager insisted that he would direct me reversing into the particular site. "half right, straighten up, quarter left," etc. was what he said and it worked perfectly. I was amazed. He obviously had a lot of practice with many different rigs.