Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice

Topic: Single axle, fixed bed - advice please!

Sandra1098

09/8/2010 at 7:54pm
Location: East Sussex
Outfit: Bailey Ranger 460 2 + Hyundai Tucson

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 18/6/2005

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 22

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

We are thinking of moving from a motorhome to a caravan and are looking for the smallest, lightest, single axle, fixed bed caravan currently available.

Any advice/suggestions would be very gratefully received!

Many thanks

Sandra

jasper15

09/8/2010 at 8:49pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 13/9/2007

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 315

Site Reviews Total:	10

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Hi have a look here http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/index.html under latest news on the left hand side 2009 caravan guide, you can choose, berth, weight, fixed bed, end washroom. hope this helps

petra8315

10/8/2010 at 6:19pm
Location: Ilkeston near derby
Outfit: eldiss avante

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/8/2008

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 237

Site Reviews Total:	26

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	3
Site Reviews 2018:	1

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	6
Site Nights 2018:	1

we have a freedom sunseeker only 600kg, we have replaced the usual table and seats with a proper matress and this stays as a double bed all the time, we still have the single table and seats at the other end, but really its used as a bed on wheels, it depends on how long you want to spend in your caravan, you can allways spill out into ypur awning, but this takes a lot of stress out of caravanning.

-------------
you are only as old as the woman you feel.

Sandra1098

10/8/2010 at 7:34pm
Location: East Sussex
Outfit: Bailey Ranger 460 2 + Hyundai Tucson

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 18/6/2005

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 22

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Thanks for the advice. We camp all year round so we want a van with fixed bed and lounge for entertaining friends in the winter months. I've had a look at the CaravanFinder site and there are a few sub 1400kg single axle vans with fixed beds. Some of them are very long though.

LegsDownKettleOn

10/8/2010 at 8:08pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 17/10/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2782

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

You may be better looking at an older van if you want a light one. The twin diner may be a lighter option and certainly more plentiful if looking at older vans. You can leave the bed made up at one end and use it as a fixed bed. Some people have permanantly fixed them.

Richl812

11/8/2010 at 5:12am
Location: Cambridgeshire
Outfit: Disco5 & Elddis Crusader Supersirocco

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 13/6/2005

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 623

Site Reviews Total:	5

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Lunar and Bailey are probably the lightest vans available however I understand weight reduction is one of the big changes in the soon to be released 2011 vans if you are looking at new.

If you use the van to car matching site you can put in your car details and it will tell you the vans you can legally pull. It all hinges on what car you have.

jimbouk

11/8/2010 at 7:19am
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Bailey GT65 Verona and CX5

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/3/2009

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 240

Site Reviews Total:	19

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

bailey ranger 460/4, think its about as light as they go for a modern fully fledged caravan with cooker fridge etc.

Berth: 4
Internal Length: 4.661m (15' 4")
Shipping Length: 6.332m (20' 9")
Overall Width: 2.19m (7' 2")
Overall Height: 2.58m (8' 6")
Internal Headroom: 1.90m (6' 3")
Awning Size: 914cm
MTPLM: 1208kg (23.8cwt)
MRO: 994kg (19.6cwt)

Alan_F

11/8/2010 at 8:46am
Location: Barnsley
Outfit: Bessacarr e562 Motor Home

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 29/7/2007

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 41

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

The Lunar Lexon EB has an MTPLM of 1350kg and there seem to be a few available at the moment. I have a 2003 model and we find it very comfortable especially the slightly longer lounge area compared to other fixed bed vans. Good luck in your hunt. Alan

-------------
Alan F
KIA Niro PHEV
Bessacarr e562 Motor Home

johnks

11/8/2010 at 9:24am
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 17/10/2005

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1809

Site Reviews Total:	10

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Sandra

What car do have to tow it with?

-------------
John

mattlad

11/8/2010 at 10:19am
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Defender 90 and MyWay Voyager Raid

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 27/9/2006

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2883

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Eriba?

-------------
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.

Sandra1098

11/8/2010 at 11:14am
Location: East Sussex
Outfit: Bailey Ranger 460 2 + Hyundai Tucson

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 18/6/2005

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 22

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

We currently have a Chevrolet Matiz which wouldn't tow me let alone a caravan so we will be changing our car anyway. We thought it best to decide on a few vans or similar weight first, then match the car to those.

However we are novice towers so length of van is also a consideration. Hence looking for the lightest, shortest vans on the market.

Thanks for all the suggestions - I'll check them out online

Sandra

jonbob71

11/8/2010 at 12:45pm
Location: Middle Earth
Outfit: Former tin tent owner

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 14/4/2005

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 718

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Hi Sandra

I believe the Adria Alrea 432PX is the lightest fixed bed on the market. Used to own one a few years ago. Great van, basic, but built like an 'outside loo'. Towed like a dream.

Jon

johnks

11/8/2010 at 1:39pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 17/10/2005

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1809

Site Reviews Total:	10

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by Sandra1098 on 11/8/2010

We currently have a Chevrolet Matiz which wouldn't tow me let alone a caravan so we will be changing our car anyway. We thought it best to decide on a few vans or similar weight first, then match the car to those.

However we are novice towers so length of van is also a consideration. Hence looking for the lightest, shortest vans on the market.

Thanks for all the suggestions - I'll check them out online

Sandra

I wouldn't do what you are doing. I would find a van that is comfortable and has all that I want for the right price. Most will come in under 1500kg so you can then find a car to tow it with that is also comfortable.

You need a diesel with at least an 1800 engine.

Don't go for the smallest and the lightest. You will regret it. Towing is just as easy with a 12ft caravan or a 20ft one.

-------------
John

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

5287 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder