A-Camping We Will Go

By B.L.Cann


campfire.gif


As some of our more seasoned readers will have guessed, I'm a recovery driver. The truck that I drive is 24 feet long, and about 8 feet wide, making it just a bit wider and longer than your average family car. With an average 'van in tow, about 6 feet longer than a 38 ton articulated. And taller! The differences don't end there, either.


breakdowntruck.jpg

24 volt electrics can make an interesting sight when dealing with caravanserai - who in their enthusiasm to "help" plug the van straight into the truck's socket. Particularly at night! Now whilst I and others like me welcome a little assistance sometimes, we carry trailer-boards for the purpose of moving caravans and trailers, and prefer to use them (complete with registration plate applicable to the towing vehicle).

Now, there are a couple of points here where our lives can be made awkward, to say the least, the first being the destination. Most caravan sites are located in country locations which are served by single track roads with few passing places. These aren't too bad until Mr. & Mrs. Other camper are wishing to go home again.

We all know this is likely to happen, and all too frequently does. The simple fact that the smaller the vehicle, the easier it is to manoeuvre seems to be sometimes overlooked. Seven and a half tons of vehicle will "bog down" on a grass verge, regardless. End of story! It's not that we're bolshy, this happens even in dry conditions, and can take an hour to dig out. All we ask is a little consideration, please.

Of course, the problems don't stop there. Speed bumps, narrow accesses and constrictive spaces on site all conspire to make our job a living nightmare, along with hairpin bends on steep hills. The last caravan job I did provided all of these, and it took two "shunts" to negotiate the hairpin (with only the truck to worry about), and all the road's width. As we are paid by the mile, and not by the hour, and we're the last ones to want to delay all you busy people, please give us a little room to move.

Finally, it's amazing how many "Tin-tenters" don't have a clue as concerns loading a 'van, or what the speed limit is. Maximum speed on a motorway is 60 m.p.h.. A badly loaded 'van will buck and roll at even 40mph, so you can imagine how it'll ride at 60+ ! Here, the warning is simple again. If you don't know, join the Caravan Club and ask! You're not only endangering yourself and anyone with you, you're also a danger to others, and a rolling 'van will overturn a towing vehicle with no problem at all.


carcrash.gif

While I'm about it, an R.A.C. membership doesn't always include the 'van. Nor does it cover very large trailers, so before you venture forth, check exactly what your cover entitles you to. You could be looking at a very large bill, otherwise.

I hope that these few words of advice prove useful, and you continue to have safe, happy holidays. Take care now!



manwaving.gif


Previous