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Subject Topic: What to buy...? Post Reply Post New Topic
04/8/2007 at 1:16pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Gelert Krakatoa Hotel 8
View barrymung's Profile View Profile   Reply to barrymung Reply   Quote barrymung Quote  
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Some advice needed by a newbie!

SWMBO has decided it'd be a nice ide to get a "caravan" to take the kids on cheap holidays. We have already holidayed in a tent but SWMBO found it a bit basic! She especially disapproved of sleeping in the thing! So..a  caravan type thing it has to be!

The car we'd use for towing is a 1.9 diesel berlingo so whatever we choose can't be too big or heavy. If possible, we'd like to store it in a garage so that rules out a full sized conventional caravan. It'll need to sleep 4 people. Cooking and toilet facilities would be nice but not 100% essential. I *think* a trailer tent will be too tent like for SWMBO so would prefer alternative ideas.

So..are folding caravans any good? Any particular brands to go for/avoid? Could I use a small folding caravan and a huge awning?

I'd also toyed with the idea of buying a really small caravan with 4 berths in for sleeping in and using a huge awning for living/cooking in. Are there any small caravans available? (I saw a small one t'other day on the motorway..think it was german and the brand name began with an "E")

Any advice greatfully received!

 

 



04/8/2007 at 3:16pm
 Location: Wakefield
 Outfit: Conway Crusader
View dgall's Profile View Profile   Reply to dgall Reply   Quote dgall Quote  
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Have a look at the folding campers. The top of the range models come with WC, hot and cold water, oven, fridge, king sized beds always ready, lots of storage. 15 minutes to put up, nothing to peg unless you want the awning up

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Why does it alway rain when I go camping?


04/8/2007 at 3:34pm
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Defender 90 and MyWay Voyager Raid
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The "E" name is Eriba.

http://www.eriba-uk.com



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Love a lot. Trust a few. But ALWAYS paddle your own canoe!!
Minds are like parachutes:- They only function when they are open!!!
Those who talk don't know.
Those who know don't talk.


04/8/2007 at 4:50pm
 Location: Slaving away
 Outfit: Dandy (Magic mushroom) BMW 3 series
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Check out the new Dandy - the ultimate one has a washroom in it

What I wouldnt give for one of those??!!

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No, really?!


04/8/2007 at 5:22pm
 Location: north wales
 Outfit: Sprite Quattro FB
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You could also check out other pop tops like the trigano silver.  They say these pop tops are very popular on the continent.  They are quite expensive though.


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04/8/2007 at 6:39pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Gelert Krakatoa Hotel 8
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Yes, ikt was "Eriba"!

The budget won't stretch anywhere near anything new and probably not anything with luxuries such as a washroom! :)

I'm planning to buy around October/November time so I have a while to make my mind up. Hopefully proces will be cheaper then, too!



04/8/2007 at 6:45pm
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: Gelert Krakatoa Hotel 8
View barrymung's Profile View Profile   Reply to barrymung Reply   Quote barrymung Quote  
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All these are towable with a 1.9 diesel Berlingo, I assume? What's the biggest thing I can practically (and safely) tow with something like this?


04/8/2007 at 7:22pm
 Location: Wakefield
 Outfit: Conway Crusader
View dgall's Profile View Profile   Reply to dgall Reply   Quote dgall Quote  
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According to http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/citroen.htm#berlingo00 depending on your year between 1054 -1077 kilos. I don't know what the vans weigh but the top campers are 1000 kg loaded, and a 1.9 diesel won't have any problems towing

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Why does it alway rain when I go camping?


05/8/2007 at 10:04am
 Location: north wales
 Outfit: Sprite Quattro FB
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I tried the combination of the berlingo with our caravan (on what tow car) - 4 berth and has a maximum towing weight of 1000kg, and this is the result.  It is due to the fact that the diesel is non-turbo and with only 70bhp it will struggle with 1000kg.  Our car has 107bhp but that is just about enough.


05/8/2007 at 12:48pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: silverline nova. ford focus
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towed dandy destiny ( the largest dandy) at home & abroad behind a 1700cc fiat uno non turbo diesel with absolutely no problems. MOre recently behind a fiat stilo 1900 turbo diesel - you can forget its there.  (It is however for sale on this forum at a competative price due to me having angina resulting in change to small caravan that doesnt need any putting up) 

Main difference between towing folding camper & caravan is not caused by weight  (exept when climbing  1 in 4 hills  but by wind resistanace which drasticaly increases fuel consumption & reduces acceleration.  Pop tops caravans such as Eriba  perform somewhere in between

Your idea of small caravan & large awning is a fair idea, check out 1980's sprite 400, and Alpine which weighed below 10cwt unladen   - many still giving good service and considerably lighter than modern vans.

george




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