Any tips for somebody new to LHD?

[LuAn]

My new bay panel van is a LHD, the first LHD I've ever driven and if feels weird.

I got caught out yesterday when I came to do a left turn at a 'T' junction and found myself in a position such that I couldn't see down the road to my right. It was a quiet road and my wife was in the passenger seat and was able to tell me that it was clear. She doesn't drive so I wouldn't trust her judgement on a busy road and she's not always with me anyway. I'm wondering if an additional mirror would be good move. Anybody else done that?

Any other tips for modifications and/or techniques would also be appreciated. I'm particularly concerned about parking, reversing and overtaking as I anticipate that there will be problems that I haven't yet though of never mind solutions.

 

[ianscooby]

LuAn

First Tip:- do not try and get in on the right, can be a bit embrassing done it lots of time.

Try and get the stick on circles for the mirrors as I found there are a few blind spots and do not let misses sit in the front they only get their head in the way.

 

[concrete hippo]

I've been driving a LHD for seven years now.

(Albeit a car so better visibility than a van any way.)

To be honest the only problem I've encountered is the one that you already have - turning left out of a junction.

The trick is to stop short of the junction by a metre or so, enough to be able to see any traffic coming from your right.

Also wait at the junction straight on, rather than steer to the left - position the van as you would if you were turning right in a RHD van - that way you can see oncoming traffic out of the passenger window rather than get your view blocked by the blind spot over your right shoulder.

 

[Justin & Muttley]

...I'm particularly concerned about ... overtaking...

Bit optimistic isn't it? :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Shaggy]

HAHAHAHAHA.....can you do that then, I can't even get past tractors.

 

[jabbo]

3 of the last 4 aircooled vehicles I've bought have been LHD, and I find it no problem at all personally. It doesn't take long to adjust form a RHD vehicle. It won't take you long to learn where to position yourself in the road etc, so get practising - it's a good excuse to drive the van.

 

[LuAn]

Also wait at the junction straight on, rather than steer to the left - position the van as you would if you were turning right in a RHD van - that way you can see oncoming traffic out of the passenger window rather than get your view blocked by the blind spot over your right shoulder.

The 'T' that caught me yesterday was one of those where the stem of the T meets the road going across at an angle like a slip road but not as shallow. Just about perfect for putting the road to my right in a blind spot.

I guess I could work around it with positioning but there's an even worse one around here that I haven't dared tackle yet:

The road meets a dual carriageway and bends to the left. Turning left isn't a problem, but if you want to go right you have to go left, and cross both lanes of the dual carriage way in the space of 100 years to get into a turn right lane. Step two is a case of waiting for a gap in the two lanes of oncoming so you can shoot across into another road where you do a U-turn to come back to the dual carriageway where you wait for another break in the traffic so you can turn left onto it.

It's a swine of a job at the best of times because although the dual carriageway is supposed to be a 50mph road, it's more usual for the traffic (and it's a busy road) to be doing 70mph. If I accidentally get myself into a position where I can't see, I'll be knackered.

 

[Shaggy]

Thats where the scenic route always comes in handy, go the long way round, plus you get to enjoy the van more

 

[70 BUS]

As long as you can look out the driver's side window and see the kurb next to you then things are going OK. If you don't see a kurb then you're either overtaking (not likely) or you're on the wrong side of the road.
Good luck!

 

[carole]

I love LHD as I can see the kerb when I'm parking.....no more scuffed wheels :lol: :lol:

passengers get nervous though, especially when overtaking... :shock:

but like ianscooby it's very embarrassing when you get in the wrong door, especially if your on your own and can't fool people into thinking you're just waiting for the driver!!

and the other thing I keep doing is bashing the door with my left hand when I'm driving, as I keep forgetting that the gearlever needs my right hand to make it work :lol: :lol:

still love it though.

 

[lobus]

On the overtaking topic, if it is a stock 1600 you don't need any technique, the times you will need to and have the opportunity as well are so rare it will be easier to just hang back and take in the scenery.

On the point of approaching intersections, you will just have to get used to sitting at 90 degrees at intersections so you can see out the passenger window. If you go out into a divided carriage way and prop in the middle at a sharp angle you are flirting with death. It is no different in a RHD panel. You have to be a little patient and wait till you can do the turn in one smooth go. It is known to upset the impatient boneheads behind you occasionally, bit that's life.

I speak here after now cruising around in a panel since 2002. Another tip is when you are changing lanes; give several extra seconds warning with the indicator and then proceed to change lanes as slowly as you can, all the time listening out for the horn of someone in the blind spot.
As for those little mirror add ons, I think they are a nuisance and restrict what is a reasonably sized rear view mirror. Considering the vintage of our buses.

 

[concrete hippo]

Can't get into work today. :?

 

[8ballbug]

The road meets a dual carriageway and bends to the left. Turning left isn't a problem, but if you want to go right you have to go left, and cross both lanes of the dual carriage way in the space of 100 years to get into a turn right lane. Step two is a case of waiting for a gap in the two lanes of oncoming so you can shoot across into another road where you do a U-turn to come back to the dual carriageway where you wait for another break in the traffic so you can turn left onto it.

chuffin hell that you could do in a van with no windows

 

[Araon]

Try bicylce clips and a plastic seat cover and spare pants :lol:

 

[vil]

Good thread, very apt for myself also! I have got to pick up my first Van on Monday from down south and drive it nearly 200 miles back, should be interesting since I haven't driven a LHD van before :lol:

Just a quick question also- 200 mile trip, 70 Westy with a 1600tp engine, completely stock. How many hours am I looking at..? :? :lol:

 

[carole]

take your sleeping bag..... :lol: :lol:


no seriously, it depends on what the roads and traffic are like, I'd allow 4-5 hrs and take it easy with lots of tea breaks.

have fun....

 

[LuAn]

chuffin hell that you could do in a van with no windows

:lol: That should of course have said "yards".

 

[ianscooby]

Good thread, very apt for myself also! I have got to pick up my first Van on Monday from down south and drive it nearly 200 miles back, should be interesting since I haven't driven a LHD van before :lol:

Just a quick question also- 200 mile trip, 70 Westy with a 1600tp engine, completely stock. How many hours am I looking at..? :? :lol:

talk to grazy,J&M, shaggy & SK about what biscuits to take, seriously though taking a sleeping bag and you may make vanfest by friday :lol:

 

[Speedman]

I was in the same boat, got my first LHD camper in February, but with lots of practice I've adopted the sit back from the junction and peer round method, you become a more observant driver :wink:

 

[lobus]

Another important tip for our LHD bretheren is :
Always take a friend when going to the drivethrough junk food purveyor!
Saves all that stretching to wind the window down and avoids the need to SHOUT your order....