Time to Roam Magazine Issue 11 - October/November 2014 | Page 17

| feature safe reversing Further Expert Advice: THE VIEW FROM TOM OLTHOFF Use your mirrors when backing straight. Don’t turn around in your seat to look as that will confuse you. Picture: Global Gypsies Tours and Training, WA very slowly to avoid damage. To avoid backing into anything, find a landmark like a post as guide to judge in relation to the back corner of the van. Get out and check the space between objects. “It’s preferable to reverse on the right-hand-side, you can’t see the left-hand-side as well.” Don’t let size put you off either. The heavier the trailer, the slower and more predictable its behaviour is. “Every van is different. It depends on the length of the draw-bar, position of the axles on the van or if its single or tandem axle.” s a re ps: me r a me ti , Reversing cainstall. So to gy sy toy hnolo nd e a s, o r e tec n se t eap a • Us arava tions ely ch c ec relativ r a nd all dir toy ca about in m y with iples. c • Pla . Push the e prin elf th trains yours ys lwa e ac h ce. A d a nd t lf spa th a n ourse eight, wid r low ive y k fo • G he h . . L oo ider t f lines r van c ons f you d ro o s an g th o len n c he anic! s, b r a on’t p beam a nd d wly e it slo • Tak My approach is that reversing a trailer is simple. Firstly a trailer only responds to inputs from the driver. Secondly there can only be three outcomes – the trailer goes where you want it to go; it goes too far left; it goes too far right. If it goes where you want it to go there is no problem. That only leaves two scenarios – either veering to the left or the right. To correct the (unintended) direction of travel simply turn the steering wheel in the same direction as the rear of the trailer is moving. So if it moves to the left, turn the steering wheel to the left or if it moves to the right, turn the steering wheel right. It is critical for the driver to see the back corners of the trailer when the car and trailer are in a straight line. This means having towing mirrors, unless the trailer is very narrow. It’s also of importance to know where ‘helpers’ are standing. They must always be in view of the driver. As many caravanners have a UHF radio another tip is to use an additional handheld unit so communication between the driver and guide becomes easier. Tom Olthoff Tom Olthoff is the proprietor of Towsafe Training Australia which specialises in teaching safe towing of caravans, boat trailers, horse floats and commercial trailers. Send your questions to Tom c/[email protected] Enjoy Satellite TV Complete Travellers Package Everything you need for Great TV Was $799 Now $499 High gain 85cm steel dish 30 second fold out 99% reception Australia wide F olds flat into compact storage bag Super light weight dish with Easy Base P erfect HD compatible digital picture I ncludes 12V/240V VAST Satellite set top box F ull accessories – Sat finder, 20 cable, pegs, fly lead, compass and instructions. 4 Compatible with Foxtel and Austar. 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Zip up Bag Folds Flat Stable Easy Base Call NOW 1300 483 249 Shop 14/49 Great Eastern Hwy, Rivervale, WA Issue 11 Oct/Nov 2014 17