Please can anyone give advice/ help - my husband bought his dream triton Eriba 2 years ago but has sadly passed away suddenly - He did everything regarding towing setting up Eriba and I need to learn how to tow it/set is up as he wanted me to carry on using it,, I am terrified and wonder how I can learn to hitch it on car to tow and where to get advice regarding setting it up on site/ leisure battery/ levelling it / fridge on etc / water/ gas bottles basically everything,,,

Thank you A

So sorry to hear of your loss.

I haven't towed for over 20 years and have been recommended the Caravan Club training courses. I have also found their website information on the detail of caravanning helpful and written in accessible language (which I certainly need!!) Michael

Have a look on you tube too. There are loads of really good how to videos there for caravanners., from towing to emptying your loo!. I am very sorry to hear of your loss. You're a brave woman so go for it!

Hi and welcome to the Forum. Sad to hear the news about your husband but good on you for wanting to use the van yourself. One of the Clubs has a section for people who still want to caravan after the loss of a partner. I'm sorry I can't remember which one.

When Kath and I first got our Troll we had never caravanned before. I had two bad hips at the time (now thankfully replaced) and so Kath had to learn to tow as well as me. As Racontuer suggests above we both went on a Caravan & Motorhome Club towing course locally.

It was great, if a bit pricey. From scratch Kath turned out to be one of the best towers on the course and made me look totally kack-handed and clumsy. There were a number of women on their own on the course and a couple were really nervous at first but they did brilliantly and really grew in confidence. I cannot recommend it enough - our course was at a local agricultural College and the tutors were excellent

We made notes and still look at them at the start of every season. They went through everything, putting it in ways we as beginners could understand. The other great thing is that you tow with your car but use their vans, so you don't have to tow your Eriba to the College.

Good luck with it - I'm sure that you will get the hang of it and then enjoy using your Eriba.

MikeT

Sorry to hear of the death of your husband and much respect for your determination to carry on. You are not alone, many couples have only one person who does all the towing and technical stuff whilst the other looks on. Normally the man but not always. I can think of one couple on this site who have travelled extensively where the wife does all the towing. The idea of a towing course is a good one and as Colin says on site there will always be people who are only too willing to share their expertise. To my shame although I can and do tow I always let my hubby do the hitching/unhitching so am totally ignorant on that, note to self, must have a go.
I hope you soon get out there and maybe when there is another one, come to a Meet, you will be swamped by willing helpers.

I can think of one couple on this site who have travelled extensively where the wife does all the towing.


I do help push it in place honest [ and Bunny doesn't tow it she uses a car ]
But seriously she took a C&CC towing course and said it was brilliant
Dave

One tip I have seen for reversing up to the tow-hitch without a mover is to stick a garden cane in the ground in front of the hitch. You can then see it in your rear window as you are reversing - a useful guide.

Thank you everyone for all your positive advice and feedback you have given me the confidence to have a go have now tried hitching it onto car and driving it-and feel I will be able now tow my husbands beloved triton Eriba - still so much to learn - how do I use fridge whilst travelling? and how/ where does water turn on please. How do I make sure caravan level once parked up? Thank you everyone for all your advice and help. I live in South Wales near Swansea if anyone local to contact. Many thanks

Does the van have a mover? We've just had one fitted and it's not just great, it's better than sliced bread, crispy, crunchy roast potatoes and anything else you can think of! LOL