Dealing with narrow roads

[eddie123]

I am looking forward to returning to the freedom of motorhome ownership after an absence of 20 years. I used to have a VW van conversion and toured both France, Spain and the UK. I am due to pick up a Burstner Solano T710 in May and have started visualising finding myself beyond the point of no return down some single lane track not knowing if I may be forced into reversing all the way back, due to a lack of space to turn the 7.2 meter monster around. Am I alone in this paranoia, how can I minimise the chances or is it all a part of the adventure and should simply stop worrying?

[Guest starspirit]

Going on a CC or CCC motor caravan manoevering course will help.

 

Never trusting your sat nav and avoiding minor roads to start with

 

Other than that learn as you go as it does get marginally less daunting with 38 years experience although getting into tight spots in a foreign land with manic locals screaming varying advice in their own langauge is all part of the fun and something you will look back on and smile at in years to come.

[mark lambert]

might be worth getting a decent reverse camera for when you have to reverse all the way back up that road! cameras do make things easier. Am i correct in saying the bathroom is at the back of your new van, no window?

[eddie123]

Yes bathroom is at the back, it does have a smallish window but I am not sure what I will be able to see from the driving seat, I guess I could get Eileen to position herself at the window with the bathroom door open and have her and shout directions, but she has a tendancy to say left when she means right and vice versa so on second thoughts a reversing camera seems a better option.

[Guest starspirit]

I've only ever seen a reversing camera picture whilst stationary but from what I have seen of their width and depth of vision I would rather trust my mirrors to reverse with as cameras seem a bit gimmicky to me?

Maybe I am wrong but no doubt someone will soon tell me if I am!

 

Why not try down the local supermarket car park when it is closed and place some boxes or buckets or traffic cones (if you can pinch some without being caught) and practise reversing in and out and round bends and corners.

 

Good useful low cost experience of judging what the back end (and front too) does when you spin the steering wheel.

[mark lambert]

I wouldn't say you are wrong, its just a matter of choice. I didn't find the depth of camera vision any diferent to that of the mirrors depth of vision. My next van will have reverse censors aswell as a camera, maybe a little over kill but i'd rather be safe than sorry, expensive back ends on these vans nowadays, colour coded bumpers and the like. dave newell sells good cameras for about £400, check him out on this forum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[W3526602]

Hi,

 

We all have driving lcences, we are all able to reverse. OK, we might go off line, and have to drive forward a bit to reposition, just a fact of life. My problem would be when another driver is harrasing me to hurry up. (The worst I have met is reversing back along a country lane, followed by a car with its headlights full on, meaning I could see nothing through my rear window). At the least, you need somebody watching your corners to make sure you don't actually hit something. No need for any other instruction than STOP. I am not embarrased by having to get out the cab to see what the back end is doing.

 

Yesterday I watched a convoy of school mini-buses drive down a narrow track, only to bottom out on a hump back bridge. Even after unloadiong the kids and their kayaking kit, they were still too low. By that time a small van driver had finished his fag, and wanted out of the car park. So convoy of mini-buses had to reverse 200 yards back to the road. Happy days!

 

602

[Terrytraveller]

Hi Eddie,

 

The Michelin paper maps are very good at showing road widths, when the map shows a very narrow road in relationship to surrounding roads, they are in fact very very narrow, and you learn to avoid those roads. I find SatNav systems aren’t so good at showing these small roads – as small roads, and unsuitable for wider vehicles, I think plenty has been said on that point in the press etc..

 

Regarding Starspirits advice on practising reversing, it’s the only way to gain confidence. I found at first when reversing down a clear road using the mirrors, I would weave first one way and then the other, its only practise that improves your reversing technique. I often marvel at those articulated vehicle drivers, aren’t they a wonder? - how they manage to manoeuvre those long vehicles when reversing into places that I would consider impossible to get into.

 

If reversing down a road using your mirrors, its absolutely essential to have clear vision to the rear of the vehicle, mirrors as we know have a huge blind spot. I have a fresnel lens on the rear window, so my blind spot is covered.

 

One other point, I have seen immense damage to the rear ends of MH on more than a few occasions, when reversing up onto ramps against walls, car park edge curbs and boulders, when the MH overruns the rear of the ramp, the consequences are obvious - so always drive forward onto the ramp or at least away from such obstacles.

 

Anyone reversed the entire length of the promenade from the Aires at Saint Valery en Caux to the town, will know how essential confidence is when backing up!

 

Regards Terry

 

[Basil]

eddie123 - 2007-04-02 7:33 PM

 

I am due to pick up a Burstner Solano T710 in May and have started visualising finding myself beyond the point of no return down some single lane track not knowing if I may be forced into reversing all the way back, due to a lack of space to turn the 7.2 meter monster around. Am I alone in this paranoia, how can I minimise the chances or is it all a part of the adventure and should simply stop worrying?

 

I think you have answered your own question in the last two lines of your post. Worrying about it will niether help nor stop the situation when it occurs. I also read of people concerned of parking 'such a large vehicle', at the end of the day you will either do it or you won't fearing the situation will not help at all, being aware will. A driving tuition course might help if you feel you need that.

Look ahead, most drivers don't thats now a proven fact, be aware of your surroundings and road conditions and don't panic when you get into the inevitable awkward position.

Got down a winding single lane, with grass in the middle, track with trees and bushes overhanging in France last year by accident and had to reverse for about a mile before finding somewhere to turn, but luck was with me as I had no hassle from other road users (they probably all knew it was a dead end!) it happens just keep smiling! When I had a car/ carravan combination measuring close to 40 feet overal we ended up in circular market place in the centre of Brugge and the only way out was the way we came in with nowhere to turn round, reversing out was the only way to go that was fun with a caravan, bet the car drivers really hated caravanners (especially foreign ones) after we got out of there, had to do it though no point in panicing or worrying!

Just my view anyway.

 

Bas

[tonyishuk]

PWS towbar with rear bumper would help a little to fend off a few scratches ?

[Clive]

The driver always remains the responsible person for the vehicle. When reversing this responsibility still remains 100% with the driver. The wing mirrors give good view along the sides but not of the kiddy who has crawled up close behind your van as you reverse out of the cramped camp site watering point. Reversing alarms don,t help toddlers or the deaf. A GOOD rear view camera system can cover this blind spot for you, nearly as well as your better half standing behind and shouting at you. But its always your responsibility. Have the best mirrors and the best camera system is my advise.

[mark lambert]

agreed, here! here! my thoughts too clive

[Brian Kirby]

Clive - 2007-04-03 3:02 PM The driver always remains the responsible person for the vehicle. When reversing this responsibility still remains 100% with the driver. The wing mirrors give good view along the sides but not of the kiddy who has crawled up close behind your van as you reverse out of the cramped camp site watering point. Reversing alarms don,t help toddlers or the deaf. A GOOD rear view camera system can cover this blind spot for you, nearly as well as your better half standing behind and shouting at you. But its always your responsibility. Have the best mirrors and the best camera system is my advise.

May I just add to that?  Neither in the mirrors, nor in a rear view camera - but more especially a simple reversing camera, can you see everything that needs to be taken into account. 

At the risk of stating the obvious, do get out and look all round your vehicle for yourself, before executing any manoeuvre in a confined space: irrespective of detectors, camera or whatever. 

There are numerous potential hazards, apart from the odd toddler; low branches on trees, overhanging balconies, low set bollards, projecting road signs, any of which can inflict substantial damage on a motorhome.

We once had a sweaty back up and turn round in the middle of Jerez.  Never mind children, adults were diving past the back end, while I was trying to work out how close to the shop window I'd got.  My wife was outside trying to fend them off, but they just pushed past her!

In the end, if you need reverse gear almost anywhere, apart from the middle of a field, do get someone to get behind and watch for all the things you can't see in the mirrors or the camera! 

3.5 tonnes of motorhome hurts itself if it meets an immobile object, even while travelling at a snail's pace.  Damage to the rear of motorhomes while reversing is apparently by far the commonest cause of insurance claims!

[eddie123]

Thanks everyone for all your practical advice it has given food for thought and a number of options. I feel reassured. Perhaps the best approach is avoid narrow roads if at all possible, but expect it to happen sometime, stay safe and keep a sense of humour; BRING IT ON!! Only a few more weeks now.

cheers

Ed

[J9withdogs]

I just close my eyes..... *-)

[Guest starspirit]

Yeah - I remember!

[J9withdogs]

and squeak (lol)

[Guest starspirit]

I don't remember that?

[Supertractorman]

Ed,

 

As has been stated before, walk round the back of your vehicle if you are uncertain nothing has crept up on you. The best advice I was given both for LGV & PCV Driving is that if you have driven forward to the point you must reverse too, then there is no reason that you should bump into anything if you keep your offside wheels close to the verge, only time when this could go wrong is if you have to back through a bridge where you had to drive down the centre of the road !!. The other tip is take your time.

 

David

[eddie123]

thanks again to you all, I can't wait to get my hands on the steering wheel.

Ed