Tips For First Time Drivers?

[missteesix]

Hi there
I've been a confident driver of cars for over 35 years, however ....
Hubby and I have just bought a T6 van which is booked in to be converted in Feb.
I'm really looking forward to getting into the campervan life and exploring the UK!
Trouble is I've never driven anything so big before and I'm a bit worried about getting used to its size.
I'm also not used to not having a rear view mirror!
Any tips you can give me as a T6 first time driver gratefully received!
Thanks

 

[Dellmassive]

As a Long term van driver id say..

Be very spacialy aware...

Keep looking in mirrors all the time.

Always expect someone to be in you blind spot.

Go long into corners and pulling off round abouts to taken into account the extra length.

Indicate for twice as long on a motorway before changing lanes, and change lanes slowly to allow anyone you haven't seen to react.

Basic van driving tips.... but they help.


Great member name BTW.


.

 

[Pauly]

You just kinda get used to it and find yourself adapting to van driving without really trying

A couple things I always do is when parking in a bay/residential car park etc I always reverse in so I can drive away and if I have to reverse out of somewhere I always look around to the rear when returning to vehicle and make a mental note of the layout/area so I know any possible hazards, with no rear view mirror you have to watch out for those low walls, bollards, posts and lamp posts (yes I have reversed into a lamp post before ) obviously parking sensors and rear cameras help here

 

[missteesix]

Bless you! Really helpful advice, many thanks.

Do you position yourself in the road any differently?

 

[Pete C]

Reversing - get your partner to check out their side too, continuously.

Don’t ignore the reversing beepers like I did once - van still has the scars.

Pete

 

[PipeMonkey]

If anything you’ll find it easier once you’ve been in it for an hour or two.
My Mrs has driven every one of my vans right up to the LWB crafter and even my MAN 7.5 ton and she prefers vans to her Polo daily driver.
You’ll love it.

 

[Smarty]

Easier than driving any car as the visibility is so much better and the box shape makes it easier to judge where the corners of the vehicle are.

As it’s a bigger vehicle keep it in the back of your mind that it’s ok to do things a little more slowly. Remember that people won’t expect you to be buzzing around and zipping in and out of parking spaces like you would in a little hatchback. Everything is easier when done at a slower pace so don’t feel pressured into rushing.

As for tips.
Keep your near side passenger mirror adjusted down, so that you can just see the wheel. This will still allow you to see back down the road as the mirrors are a good size and you don’t need to see the sky while driving. I find this provides a much better view for reversing, low speed manoeuvring and road positioning from the kerb.

 

[missteesix]

Yeah I'm really looking forward to it, even though I'm a bit apprehensive I am expecting to love driving it! Just need to get out there I guess!

It's sitting on the drive and unfortunately I don't think I'm going to get a chance until next weekend

Still, all your advice has really made me feel better, thanks again

 

[ZEB]

My wife was the same as you she drove a Honda jazz and she was surprised how quickly she got used to our T6 lwb.

During the conversion if you are having glass fitted in the back doors can you not fit a rear mirror then? we got a van with barn doors and have the blinds fitted so that they close outside to inside, except for the centre pillar we have good vision out the back, we also have parking sensors which are a great parking aid.

 

[missteesix]

Yes you're right - we will get a rear view mirror fitted so viz will be much better. As I said, I'm sure I will enjoy driving it once I've got used to it

So here's another noddy question from a newbie ...

How do folk transport their dogs? Ours is about 25kg so not small. Once we've had the conversion done, is there a way she can be in her bed, but still secure? A long lead attached to an internal fitting?

Thanks

 

[Murdoch]

If you van doesn't have front and rear parking sensors - get them fitted......... they are so helpful....

 

[Cherokee]

Yes you're right - we will get a rear view mirror fitted so viz will be much better. As I said, I'm sure I will enjoy driving it once I've got used to it

So here's another noddy question from a newbie ...

How do folk transport their dogs? Ours is about 25kg so not small. Once we've had the conversion done, is there a way she can be in her bed, but still secure? A long lead attached to an internal fitting?

Thanks

Welcome to the forum! Personally, I wouldn't fit a rear view mirror to your front screen. Not having one will force you to rely upon using your external door mirrors. Continuously glancing into them will become second nature and allow yourself to become much more aware of your surroundings. This will make driving the van easier for you.

Our dogs normally just lie down on the floor behind the front seats. It's never been an issue for us, and I'm not a fan of caging them for travelling.

Happy ownership.

 

[missteesix]

Thanks for the warm welcome

I thought it was illegal to travel with dogs unrestrained which is why I asked how other folk manage it?

So I just googled it and it does say they should be restrained. Rules about animals (47 to 58) - The Highway Code - Guidance - GOV.UK

 

[PukkaT6]

There is a killer blindspot, which given the size of the wingmirrors is hard to believe.

The actual best thing is trying to gauge how close you are when parking, there is no bonnet so it literally feels like you should have crashed already. My first few attempts left me about 3 feet hanging out the parking space. Once used to it its a good way to scare passengers.

 

[Tourershine]

I really don't think you have much to worry about @missteesix. My wife drives a Mini every day and although she'd say she's the best driver in the world, in reality she's just a very safe one. She has driven my LWB T6 several times, and said it was actually easier to drive than her Mini, simply because you're in a much better/higher position to see the whole road, plus your perceived bulk makes you feel far more confident on the road than being low down in a car I personally think. As mentioned above, parking can be sometimes a little challenging, but you soon get used to it.

What have you ended up buying? Spec, colour, manual/DSG? etc

 

[VWJAY]

You'd be surprised how easy it is to lose a car (especially a little sports car) right under your nearside mirror! so be wary changing lanes.

 

[David Baines]

Do those blind spot mirrors help?

 

[Jean-Louis Bourdon]

i've seen a german company that has the retrofit for the blind spot (about 600 euros, mirror shells + radars)
i wanted them, but not available on the LWB
do you think it can be done?

 

[andys]

Do those blind spot mirrors help?

I have those and they do cover the missing bit if you rotate it to the right angle

 

[Ghost]

Any tips you can give me as a T6 first time driver gratefully received!
Thanks

Hi and welcome to the forum..
If it will give you some confidence, take a look at your van or any other SWB van next to some parked cars, you will notice it’s not much bigger in length to most cars these days.
I think we all feel a little nervous driving something new.

Don’t rush it, just enjoy it, you soon be loving it