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Topic: Question from Canada
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31/7/2012 at 11:57am
Location: None Entered Outfit: None Entered
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Joined: 31/7/2012 Standard Member
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Hello everyone!
Expat in Canada here and just about to embark on a caravan purchase, looking for some sensible advice from sensible people...
I own a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder, it's got a tow rating of 2700kgs (I notice the UK ones have a slightly higher rating), with a 4.0l V6 (I wish we could get the diesel over here).
With the prevalence of giant pick-up trucks over here, the Pathfinder is considered a "poor" tow vehicle. Basically everytime I suggest towing a "small" caravan here, I get raised eyebrows, much air sucked through teeth and head shaking(like a plumber assessing a job), one chap spat his chewing tabbaccy at my foot and tried to beat me with his cowboy hat!!! Admittedly, the caravan dealers who assured me I'll be fine!!!
What is a small caravan I hear you ask... Well anywhere between 2,000-2,300kgs, 21-24ft long, 8' wide and 10-11ft tall.
Of course, I will use a weight distribution hitch and anti-sway set up.
Now we have some differences in the challenges we face over here... Much bigger lorries, that are not restricted to 56mph (I know, they still manage to go faster...), although our speed limits are generally lower - 62mph on the motorway (everyone does about 75mph) and 50mph on A roads.
Yes we have hills in Ontario, it's no Scotland or Wales but we manage some fairly long and substantial climbs nonetheless.
Anyway, as I said before, I need sensible advice from people who will not immediately resort to "bigger is better" thoughts. I should point out that I can't replace the Pathfinder for a while, I'm still paying for it you see, so no it's not an option for me to go buy the Ramiest of the Dodge Rams!!! So, if you also collectively shake your heads, I'll know it's time to rethink what I want to tow.
Looking forward to your replies.
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31/7/2012 at 8:04pm
Location: Teesside Outfit: Mitsubishi ASX4
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Thorin, we've hired motorhomes and 5th wheelers in Canada and the US, and I would say conditions over here are completely different to yours.
Here we have few automatics, electric trailer brakes are illegal, and caravans are far far lighter.
My car, a 4x4, has 150bhp but can only tow 1400kg (3,000 lbs) and has a hitch weight of 70kg. Our caravan, all up weighs in at 1000kg. We have cassette-type toilets, instead of the tank type which are much lighter, and our caravans do not have grey water tanks either, those are external waste containers which are emptied before travelling. Some caravans now have internal water tanks, but smaller than the 55 gallon tank in our last motorhome. Most caravans though still use external fresh water containers with the electric pump outside. We even have lightweight gas bottles now.
Fridges are far smaller, and the internals are built of lightweight materials, not the solid cabinets built into American vans.
Really it is impossible for us to give you any clear help in this matter, sorry!
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