


Caravan Towing Course in Somerset, Devon & South West
Based on authentic user experiences
Marie Brown
6736 reviews
N/A
9 months ago
I can t recommend Dave highly enough
I can t recommend Dave highly enough After realising most of the towing schools locally use trailers which I have towed previously I knuckled down to search for Caravan specific towing lessons and learned I d need head up-country Asking locally on the campsite I first heard about Dave and googled him everything was clearly explained on the website with options for a few hours full day solo or group lessons Further research checking online recommendations which were as positive as in-person reviews and I contacted him to ask more All responses were informative and friendly we discussed my goal - towing a 17 caravan around Cornwalls winding lanes and that this was a new purchase as I am new to touring An additional challenge is that I m a wheelchair user due to a spinal cord injury so my ability to lift is compromised as is my left foot Dave wasn t fazed and had some considered suggestions He gave me the choice of using my car for the lesson which would have been my preference but I couldn t prepare my tow ball in time and we discussed times dates and whatnot After booking I received an email with very clear and concise details on how to find him on the day things to prepare before hand and and contact details The balance was due ten days before the lesson and again everything went smoothly with Stripe and BACS options for how to pay and a confirmation email We talked once more before the lesson and on the day we began a little after 9 30am because I missed the gate The info was in the email this was my mistake and easily corrected with a phone call to get further directions We went over theory and suggestions on products that might make life easier for me technical information useful tips on caravan ownership and how to just about everything This took all morning around 3 hours followed by a lunch break After lunch we hitched up the caravan and I reversed down a car park a few times I had pointed out I have a motor mover so I won t need to faff around reversing too much and Dave asked what I d do if I met a tractor on a lane Dave was mindful about my physical challenge both during the theory lesson and when discussing housekeeping such as lunch and bathroom breaks I appreciated the thought he d put into making sure I d be able to access facilities throughout the day After lunch and donuts we began the driving section of the lesson which lasted over six hours due to a road closure in Bampton and a lengthy detour The route incorporated local roads A roads motorway town and villages everything I ll face on my adventures This included coming face to face with a tractor towing a trailer and thanks to my earlier practice reversing I calmly used my new skills to move out of the way I would have thought he planned it but this was during the detour Dave was kind enough to take over driving the last half hour as I was physically struggling and was comfortable I d learned enough and practiced enough to be confident towing my own caravan We reviewed everything and he reassured me I can call if I have any further questions or need advice It was after 7pm when I left him unhitching everything and headed home Days later I moved my own caravan solo for the first time and aside from the rain everything went smoothly my lesson meant I was confident I knew what I needed to do and how to do it The extra time he had taken to help me work out how to get around my physical limitations was invaluable and after a couple more moves to identify which challenges I need to address next I ll be booking a follow-up advanced lesson If you are thinking of purchasing or have recently purchased a caravan I recommend you contact Dave he will not only teach you how to tow it but also how to be a responsible caravan owner and how to keep everything in tip-top shape
Mr Jonathan Mashen
6736 reviews
N/A
9 months ago
Extended Caravan Training Course
I did Dave s extended caravan training course over 2 days which were 2 days very well spent As a caravan newbie the theory and practice elements were very informative and allowed for plenty of questions which combined with a 140 mile day of towing on the varied roads of Devon Somerset motorway to single track has left me feeling confident for the day when our new caravan arrives Dave has a great sense of humour and is easy going but as a very experienced driving instructor he soon identified my bad habits - both hands on the steering wheel please That said he was very fair and his skill in teaching was superb The day of driving was both an introduction to towing and a jolly good reminder of general driving skills for someone who passed their driving test in the 1970s My wife was an observer during the 2 day course having felt initially that she did not want to be under the spotlight on the driving day but having seen Dave in action she felt comfortable to book her own training day when she will use our own vehicle this time we used Dave s own vehicle and caravan The course covered both theory and the practicalities of caravanning together with reversing skills straight line and reversing around a corner and the extended day of driving We had concerns regarding the approach to levelling the caravan side to side and having raised the issue Dave included this on Day 2 of the course to put our minds at rest The course was hugely enjoyable and gave me the confidence and skills I was looking for to tow a caravan safely I would recommend this course to anyone approaching caravan ownership or those looking to improve their skills Thank you Dave Jonathan Mashen 23 1 24
Paul Kent
6736 reviews
N/A
9 months ago
Caravan towing day
We were given Dave s details Caravan-training by the company we recently bought our new caravan from not having ever owned or pulled one before Although initially having reservations it was a 200 mile round trip my wife and I enrolled in a full day tutoring with Dave It was a full day too from 9 30 until nearly 7 30 but a wonderfully enlightening experience Dave is very likeable and knowledgable about all things caravan and although I did all the driving on the day for some 3 hrs all over Devon we both learned an awful lot He also dispelled a lot of our fears and concerns about towing and adapting to the numerous disciplines involved in looking after and living in our new home from home Dave has a lovely way about him and an empathy with newbies coupled with an evident desire to ensure any bad driving habits are noticed and commented upon In short never having towed before this was an invaluable day and I would heartily recommend anyone either new to the game or looking to bolster their confidence have a timely refresher to use trailer Dave s company they won t regret it
Kate
6736 reviews
N/A
9 months ago
100 recommend
Dave is a fantastic instructor I did a full day caravan course with him I ve never owned a caravan or towed anything in my life and I finished the day feeling confident that I can be safe on the roads Not only do I now feel safe but Dave went through all sorts of caravanning basics like levelling and different equipment and products that are available all at a complete beginner level The course went so far beyond just driving The day in hours was very long but it felt like time flew by because it was all very relaxed and a lot of fun Dave s manner is excellent as an instructor and I couldn t recommend this course highly enough We went out on a 100 mile or so round trip on all different types of road - motorways hills towns country roads the works I got to gain experience in all different situations There are little things that I hadn t considered - the people behind you can t necessarily see past you to see why you ve stopped e g if there are parked cars so whilst you wouldn t indicate in a normal car you SHOULD indicate with the caravan to show the people behind you that there is an obstacle and you haven t just randomly stopped The next day I picked up a small trailer and had to put my new reversing skills into practice I was slow but having Dave s voice in my ear really helped and I managed to get out the way of two HGVs on a country road Thank you Dave
jonathan
6736 reviews
N/A
9 months ago
excellent training
Having recently bought a new caravan but having not towed for many years I felt it may be useful to invest in a caravan towing training course and decided to use Dave partly due to location but also as the training is on the job towing a caravan as opposed to a trailer It was one of the best decisions I have made Dave explains things in a way which makes them easily understandable he is very knowledgeable calm and also a really nice person which helps The course I took included theory practice on manoeuvring and then towing on different road types motorway dual carriageway A roads through to single track lanes The advice and tips given were invaluable and since the course as I tow and approach a situation I can hear Dave s voice in my head I would highly recommend these courses to anyone who has never towed before or if someone is thinking of freshen up their towing skills It is worth every penny
Debbie Merifield
6736 reviews
N/A
9 months ago
Excellent Towing training
Our day spent with Dave was a day well spent My husband has reluctantly towed for 7 years I have been too nervous but wanted to venture further a field so knew I needed to put my big girl pants on and get it sorted Dave put me at ease straight away Went through the basics every day is a school day as we learnt new things and better ways of setting up Dave s instruction was clear and again he put me at ease knowing I was nervous I really enjoyed the day and feel I learnt so much I would highly recommend learning to tow a caravan with Dave You will get so much out of your time with him
Laura Cook
6736 reviews
N/A
9 months ago
Thank you Dave you are an excellent teacher
Thank you Dave you are an excellent teacher You totally put me at ease you covered soo much I have been driving for years not towing though and you taught me soo much about it all towing and driving This course is invaluable and brings down the insurance cost A LOT I now feel totally comfortable towing our new caravan and will have the best adventures I didnt even expect to hear about how to use the caravan and the equipment you need to have a safe secure and fun time away If I could rate this 10 stars I would Thank you Dave and I would recommend this course to anyone even if you have towed before anyone will learn a lot of things you didnt know Thank you
Michael
6736 reviews
N/A
9 months ago
First class caravan training
My wife and I decided that we wanted to upgrade from camping to caravans but being a total novice to towing I was understandably nervous and decided that I would need some training I booked a two day course with Dave after reading all the 5 star reviews and I m so glad that I did We spent two excellent days with Dave and learned a tremendous amount about towing and manoeuvring a caravan With my wife as an observer we covered towing limits hitching and unhitching the caravan levelling and practicing reversing back in a straight line and round a corner On the second day we did a 160 mile drive around Somerset and Devon with me towing Dave s caravan on motorways dual carriageways through towns and housing estates and down narrow lanes At the end of that day I felt much more confident about towing our new caravan when we receive it Dave is a really nice guy and he made us both feel comfortable Nothing was too much trouble for him and we re both so pleased that we found him We can 100 recommend this excellent introduction to towing a caravan Many thanks Dave Mike Szolomicki
Michael Ginsberg
6736 reviews
N/A
9 months ago
Great one to one caravan training - highly recommended
I have been caravanning for about three years but had never received any formal training before going on a full day course with Dave During the packed day we covered theory and practical advice of owning and keeping a caravan then practiced reversing exercises before heading out for an extensive road trip towing for several hours in a variety of real world driving conditions Dave has a wealth of knowledge and he puts you completely at ease so you can really settle into the driving He could not do more for you and I cannot recommend the course highly enough for anyone interested in caravans whether novice or like me someone who wishes to gain confidence and learn new skills
Chris Kirkby
6736 reviews
N/A
9 months ago
Great service highly recommended
Had a days trailer towing training with Dave As a complete novice to towing this was an incredibly useful and well delivered course Dave was great company and extremely knowledgeable and patient I m towing my 3500kg trailer fully loaded with confidence already