DISCOVER TRAINING
e
Q
u
o
t
“A great
boost to my
confidence. Lots
of practical tips
and on the road
experience”
–GW
Motor caravan course
I MUST admit to a smidgen of hesitation But there was no need to panic. While through Henfield High Street and going on
before I agreed to participate in this course. we were seated with our coffees, Tony to join the busy A23 towards Brighton!
As a relative ‘newie’ to the world of motor eased us in with a gentle introduction and As it turned out, though, my misgivings
caravanning, until now the largest vehicle some general advice on commercial were unjustified. With Tony in the
I’d been behind the wheel of was a Kia vehicle-type driving. After that it was passenger seat giving plenty of guidance
Sorento. The idea of taking to the road in a time to get practical. We headed outside and reassurance, within minutes I was
3.5-tonne beast got me a tad nervous… to the training ground, taking it in turns beginning to feel quite relaxed; even, dare
This is something instructor Tony just driving around and getting a feel for I say it, confident. Apart from having to
Waterfield understands very well. (He’s only the vehicle. With Tony in the passenger adjust to a dashboard-mounted gear lever
teasing when he blames years of instructing seat giving instructions and offering and a higher driving position than normal,
TOP: Negotiating
newcomers for turning his hair grey…). With careful pointers, we each practised the experience wasn’t all that different
the local high street
years of experience, Tony has perfected the making our way around a basic course and from driving a car. Of course, you must
ABOVE: Instructor
Tony stays close at
art of nurturing the novice, balancing had a go at reversing in a circle and constantly keep the motor caravan’s bulky
hand to provide
measured, helpful guidance with a relaxed, between two posts – occasionally with proportions and overhanging length in
expert guidance light-hearted approach that puts everyone at some comical results! (I regret some mind – but the adjustment took
BELOW: Reversing
their ease. traffic cones were harmed during the surprisingly little time.
practice
Course participants are usually required course of this training…) Roughly an hour was spent out on the
to use their own vehicle but I had managed After all that thirsty work it was time for road. There is no formal testing during the
to borrow the coachbuilt motor caravan you a coffee break, followed by a brief video on course, but Tony gave a critique of each
can see in these pictures – a Knaus Sun TI ‘defensive driving’ – ie road safety issues to driving performance as we went along. I
600 LF – still an unnerving size for a Ford Ka consider when driving a large vehicle. One was told I didn’t slow down early enough
P
1
4
driver like myself! of the most important points this tuition on the approach to junctions and when
T
o
u
r
i
n
g
i
s
drives home (excuse the pun!) is to bear in passing under low-hanging trees (to
s
o
e
a
s
y
mind that long vehicles need more room to minimise that nasty scraping of branches
turn on bends and at junctions. That may against the roof). This was a common
sound obvious but it’s very important if trait, Tony said, in drivers more
you’re accustomed to a rather more accustomed to small cars. A wrist-
compact vehicle. slapping for Miss Brown…
Educated in the basic theory and with a The Caravan Club stresses that its
bit of practice under our belts, there was courses will not make you immediately
nothing left to do but hit the road. I had proficien in driving and manoeuvring a large
secretly hoped that our on-the-road driving motor caravan. As with anything else,
might be limited to a gentle pootle along the practice makes perfect. But the courses are
quiet roads close to the L-Busters base. I an excellent place to start if you’re a little
think I emitted an audible gulp when I nervous. If I can cope just fine then there’s
learnt that we would in fact be driving hope for anyone! KB
26 DISCOVER TOURING
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68