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14 top tips for reversing a van

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If you’re a bit of a newbie when it comes to driving a van, the thought of reversing one can send shivers down your spine. It can be daunting enough sticking the thing into first gear and driving forwards, right? So you should probably stick to that and forget about reversing, shouldn’t you? Wrong. 

 

Chances are, you’re going to have to slam the gear stick into reverse at some point. Thankfully, two pieces of good news are winging their way straight to you through your screen. One. It’s not as hard as you think. Two. We’ve put together our list of top tips for reversing a van, helping you get to grips with everything you need to know. Win. And. Win. 

 

1. Go and have a look

Before you even climb into the driving seat of your van, have a walk around it and check out the lie of the land. As well as making sure there aren’t any hidden obstacles such as annoying bollards, you’ll also see how your van fits into any potentially tight spaces. 

 

2. Get cosy

Once you’re in the cabin, make sure your seat position is comfortable. Make adjustments to things like the steering wheel height, so you’ve got a good level of control over every aspect of your van. 

 

3. Get geared up

Whether your van’s manual or automatic, get familiar with how to engage reverse gear. You’ll need to be able to reach the gear stick comfortably without looking or even really thinking, especially if you need to perform a manoeuvre which requires numerous gear changes. 

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4. A mirror image

As vans don’t usually have rear windows, your wing mirrors are going to be your best friend when you’re reversing. Adjust them for a good view of the side of your van right down to the road when reversing. This will help you avoid those infuriating high kerbs which can easily damage your wheels. If they don’t already have blind spot mirrors, install these on your wing mirrors for an even better view. 

 

5. Tech a bow

There’s loads of tech you can get to help you reverse these days. Parking sensors are a brilliant tool, while rear cameras can give you a clear view of where you’re backing into. Other things like reversing alarms are popular, which can come in the form of audible beeps or flashing lights to warn those around you. 

 

6. Don’t play limbo

The last thing you want to do is start reversing under something you don’t know you can get under. Whether it’s a low bridge, barrier or something hanging down into the road or above a parking space, you could do a lot of damage. It’s a very good idea to know exactly how tall your van is to avoid any nasty scrapes. 

 

7. The go-slow

One of the most crucial things you can do when reversing a van is to take it slowly. Speed only makes tricky manoeuvres more difficult, so cutting it out is only going to help you reverse with style, safety and your dignity intact. Keep checking your mirrors and don’t be afraid to jump out of your van to survey the scene midway through your backwards voyage if you need to. 

 

8. Keep it snappy

No one needs a backwards voyage that goes on forever. So avoid reversing long distances if you can. A quick loop or a turn in the road could prove a lot less stressful than taking 20 minutes to back up 100 yards. 

 

9. Refrain from the main pain

Reversing out onto a main road can be scary and dangerous. It’s best to avoid doing so if it can be helped. Especially as you don’t have the right of way just because you’re going backwards. 

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10. Walking on sunshine

Watch out for pedestrians and give way to them where necessary, for example if you’re crossing a pavement. If you’re reversing across a footpath where you don’t have a clear view, pip your horn as a warning. 

 

11. Just think of all the doors you could ope

If you’ve got stuff in the back of your van which needs to come out when you pull up, make sure you leave space for the rear doors to open. Otherwise you’re going to have to jump back in the cab and pull forward. A minor inconvenience perhaps, but an inconvenience, nonetheless. 

 

12. Don’t let your pride get in the way

You may think asking for help is embarrassing. But whether you enlist the services of a passenger or a stranger in the street, asking for someone to give you a hand is a lot less embarrassing than pranging your van. And a lot cheaper too. A real life, walking, talking human guiding you into a space is the best parking aid you can have. If you trust them, that is. 

 

13. Practice makes perfect

That old chestnut, huh. But there’s no substitute for a bit of practice if you want to improve at something. Head to a big empty car park like the ones you get on industrial estates, and practice reversing your van to your heart’s content – away from other cars, vans, buses, bikes, buggies and bloomin’ well everything else that seems to want to get in your way. 

 

14. Do you even have to reverse?

So you’ve read our first 13 tips. But you’re still not feeling too confident about your chances of executing a reverse for the ages. Well, what about if we said to you that maybe you could avoid reversing your van altogether? Wouldn’t that be just swell? Now, we can’t guarantee this is going to work every time and in all situations, but sometimes it’s possible to ignore that reverse slot on the gearbox. 

This could mean a quick loop around the block or simply driving in and out of parking spaces. To do this, you’ll either need to park in a single row of spaces or if it’s a double row, find a spot which is clear on both sides of the row. Just drive right through the first one into the second, and hey presto – you can drive straight back out again when you return to your van. 

For more assistance for safe van driving, check out our guides for parking your van and driving at night, as well as our top tips for first-time van drivers. 

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