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Subject Topic: Newbie caravan advice
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Persondavidmw1983
28/7/2013 at 8:24pm
 Location: Doncaster
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Im currently looking to move on from tent to a 4 birth caravan. There are a few things im really unsure about though regarding the laws an weights. I have a Vauxhall astra estate 1.7cdti which from what I have found in the manuel and on the plate inside the car door these are the figures it says, gross vehicle weight :1950kg
Permissible gross train weight:     3390kg
kerb weight 1408kg

I also got my driving licence after the new 1997 laws and have not as yet done the B+E course, what can I tow with my car and on my current license as im totally lost from looking at all the sites I have seen so far

Thanks


PersonGrampian91
28/7/2013 at 8:56pm
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What power output does your car have?

You should be looking at caravans with a gross laden weight of 1300 or less.

If you have one of the lower powered engines in the range then you may want to go a fair bit less.


PersonAl+Mel
28/7/2013 at 8:56pm
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It is recommended that the maximum towed weight is 85% of the car's kerbweight - unless the manufacturer stipulates a lower figure. This gives a maximum of 1196kg for your caravan. Older 'vans tend to be lighter. This should be OK with your current license.


Persondavidmw1983
28/7/2013 at 9:11pm
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what is the average weight of a four birth caravan, what are the best manufacturers who make low weight caravans

How would I find out what power my car has is this something that would be in the vehicle handbook


Persondinkum
28/7/2013 at 9:22pm
 Location: crewe
 Outfit: Elddis Xplore 302 and Nissan Campervan View dinkum's Profile View Profile   Reply to dinkum Reply   Quote dinkum Quote  
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Have a look at Freedom Caravans (all lightweight and compact. You can get a 4 berth similar to our 2 berth as a Microlite.Shop around for a bargain. Some usually on ebay. Pic on my profile on this forum.Also on You Tube. Sprite also do lighter caravans.There are many others to choose from.You should be able to identify which engine and then the power output from the handbook or a garage or "petrol head" mate at the pub could help.

-------------
cramming for my finals in the twilight zone


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Personsnowy747
28/7/2013 at 9:28pm
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One vital figure missing from your post, what is the car's max tow capacity?

Ali


PersonGrampian91
28/7/2013 at 10:13pm
 Location: Midlands
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Weights vary hugely.

My missus keeps saying we should get a smaller van. But i keep pointing out that small van actually weighs more than our current van.

You can have a 4 berth thats under 1000kg and a huge monster of a 2 berth thats close to 2 tons.

What year is your car and the power output?

A 2004 estate is only 73bhp and a max tow of 1100kg.


Personsnowy747
29/7/2013 at 3:10pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Al+Mel on 28/7/2013
It is recommended that the maximum towed weight is 85% of the car's kerbweight - unless the manufacturer stipulates a lower figure. This gives a maximum of 1196kg for your caravan. Older 'vans tend to be lighter. This should be OK with your current license.


You forgot to ask the OP the max tow weight of their car, how can you state 1196 kg is the max without knowing this figure?

Ali


PersonAl+Mel
29/7/2013 at 3:51pm
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"unless the manufacturer stipulates a lower figure"

He said the kerbweight is 1408kg. if the max tow weight is higher it doesn't matter, as the recommendation is 85% of the vehicle kerbweight.


Personsnowy747
29/7/2013 at 3:59pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Al+Mel on 28/7/2013
This gives a maximum of 1196kg for your caravan.


Not necessarily, what if the max tow stipulated by the manufacturer is lower than this figure? Your advice should be "a max of 1196 kg or the manufacturer's max tow, whichever is lower".

Ali


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PersonHolster
29/7/2013 at 9:22pm
 Location: South Wales
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Hi

We too currently make use of our tent and are considering a move to purchasing a caravan.

There are many "newbie" forums available - just do a Google search for Caravan Tips, or Towing a Caravan, however a good place to start is the Caravan Club.

They have some good advice for beginners, from towing, outfit matching and more.

I am not (yet) a fully pad member myself, but have found many of the articles useful to guide through the questions you no-doubt have.

Click Here to go to the Caravan Club - Expert Advice page.

best of luck in your search.


Let us know how you get on

-------------
Steve & Jayne


PersonSkoda Bob
29/7/2013 at 11:45pm
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You can tow a combined weight of 3.5 ton, thats car and van on your licence, and should find a van of around 1150KG or less in 4 berth range, even some 5 berths are around that weight, due to the 5th berth being a fold down, a handy extra shelf if not required as a bed


PersonDaveCoaches
30/7/2013 at 7:22am
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Quote: Originally posted by Skoda Bob on 29/7/2013
You can tow a combined weight of 3.5 ton, thats car and van on your licence, and should find a van of around 1150KG or less in 4 berth range, even some 5 berths are around that weight, due to the 5th berth being a fold down, a handy extra shelf if not required as a bed


without b&e entitlement, you cannot exceed 100% of the vehicles kerb weight, even if the max tow weight is higher and you are under the 3500 kg limit. Actually, you can tow a 750 kg trailer with a vehicle weighing 3500 kg, so the actual limit is 4250 kg, not 3500.

Towing over 85% if the cars kerb weight is not recommended for inexperienced towers.


Personsnowy747
30/7/2013 at 7:36am
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Still no word from the OP as to the max tow of the vehicle.

Ali


PersonST1100
30/7/2013 at 9:14am
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From the OP's opening post it is easy enough to work out.

gross vehicle weight :1950kg
Permissible gross train weight: 3390kg
kerb weight 1408kg

Permissiable gross train weight less gross vehicle weight

3390-1950= 1440kg


PersonAl+Mel
30/7/2013 at 9:34am
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I googled the car before posting anything - it said max towing weight 1400kg.



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