What is an experienced tow driver?

A consideration, when manoeuvring in smaller areas like car parks etc, is never ever go into somewhere that you aren't sure that you can get out of.. Better reconnoiter on foot than have to unhitche and manhandle (motor mover) the van out. And remember, that without help you are very blind to the rear end some 45' behind your eyeline.

An inexperienced driver is one who has never felt the onset of snaking, resolved it, and determined never to let it happen again.

Hi Grey,its not so much slowing on a hill most accidents on hills that Ive seen involving vans is overtaking approaching or on a hill,small example, car caravan approach a hgv strugling up a hill, car caravan decides to overtake, brow of the hill now hgv is building up speed on the downward side of the hill, car caravan is now out of his comfort zone, THIS is where it can all go tits up so to speak, all the time the car is pulling the van no probs, but ease off whilst going down hill big probs ,so stay back approaching hills and overtake up the other side

Do remember the caravan will cut in on corners, particularly at slow speeds. This is not serious but you do need to be aware of it and take corners a little wider than you would otherwise. 

Initially keep an eye on the caravan wheel on the inside of the bend at first to get the hang of it. 

An experienced tow driver is someone who realises that no matter how much towing you have done complacency will still catch you out! and that S**t always happens when you least expect it!!

An inexperienced driver is one who has never felt the onset of snaking, resolved it, and determined never to let it happen again.

I've been towing for years & have never had a snake or even an inkling of one .... I've had to take evasive action due to a t1t in an Aston doing silly mph into the lane that I was going into ..... he was going too fast past me to even realise what had happened. Still no snake. I ... along with the rest of the motorway that slowed down behind me ... have seen one start & finish! 

Remember to take a wider line than normal round roundabouts, don't try and cut them. The rear end of the caravan needs to get round not across the built-up kerb.

An experienced driver/tower is someone who knows when to call it a day

Thanks for all the advice guys, to be honest it doesn't sound a great deal different to driving a large motorhome........perhaps a little slower.

We have practiced reversing in a local commercial estate one Sunday and we can both reverse in a straight line now and with our mover  we should be covered for getting into the more difficult spaces until we have more experience.

Hakinbush, I know what you mean regarding overtaking HGVs on hills, its happened to me with some of our older motorhomes.

I will be putting all the advice into practice when we set off on our maiden voyage next Tuesday.

Thanks again.

GG 

Maiden voyage went well , I was really pleased  how the car towed the van as we hardly knew we had a van behind us but coming home it all changed. On the return journey we experienced a seesaw type movement especially going over rough surfaces/ potholes  etc, I was very disappointed.

Long story short, next day measured the nose weight and it was way above the 90 we started with....... we forgot to drain the water from the boiler!   Lesson here if you take a check list use it.