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Subject Topic: Size & Weight of Vans. Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonAussie Col
18/5/2015 at 7:24am
 Location: Melbourne Australia
 Outfit: Windsor Rapid Off Road Van + tents View Aussie Col's Profile View Profile   Reply to Aussie Col Reply   Quote Aussie Col Quote  
Joined: 20/4/2015

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Hi all,

Reading a number of threads re vans, tow ball weights (nose weights) etc etc there is quite a difference in what is the norm here and in the Uk.

As a rule the vans here seem to be heavier/stronger than the European type vans. This could have a bit to do with the type of terrain that we have here although many of the vans and their owners never leave the black stuff.

Many of the vans are built as off road models although there is an enormous difference between one manufacturers off road and anothers.

My van which is geared for remote touring is only 14' 6'' yet when loaded for a trip is just over 2 tonne in weight. My nose weight which we call the tow ball weight is 200kg.

The weight of my van includes nearly 300 litres of water, 3 deep cycle batteries, solar panels etc which is required for the remote type vanning that we do.

My van can be viewed in some of my trip reports although some more recent modifications have been done on it since those reports were compiled.

Regards from Col.

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The worst day above ground, is a whole lot better than the best one under it. Live life to the fullest while you can.


Personkazo2014
18/5/2015 at 8:32am
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View kazo2014's Profile View Profile   Reply to kazo2014 Reply   Quote kazo2014 Quote  
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the caravans here are limited by the cars that are on the market to tow them, we do not require to carry water with us, and certainly not 300kgs of water! ( 1 ltr = 1 kilo) and from what I can gather our worst roads in the uk come no where near the tracks that get used out there,

only 4 x 4 vehicles here have a decent tow ball limit of upto 150kgs but the majority of the cars are only 75kgs max even the caravans draw bars have a limit tho and that is only 100kgs, so even tho our car can handle more the caravan cant,

we have no need for 3 batteries, we have sites that provide ehu, and as for solar panels? well its England need I say more?


Personbilly
18/5/2015 at 8:03pm
 Location: North Essex
 Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400 View billy's Profile View Profile   Reply to billy Reply   Quote billy Quote  
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There appears to be an export market of secondhand UK built caravans to Oz and NZ so presumably there is a demand for lightweight road going caravans that Oz caravan makers do not supply?


PersonAussie Col
19/5/2015 at 7:01am
 Location: Melbourne Australia
 Outfit: Windsor Rapid Off Road Van + tents View Aussie Col's Profile View Profile   Reply to Aussie Col Reply   Quote Aussie Col Quote  
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You are right Billy,

I have heard of people importing English vans to our country but at the time I could not work out why.

Since joining this forum I have come to the conclusion that the light weight and then economics of towing such a van is probably the reason.

I'll relate a tale from a year ago when I over heard a bloke asking in a regional information centre about what was there to see in the area. That morning I had driven in from one of the more remarkable Aboriginal Art Sites there is to see in that state, so was pleased that he was told of the site. He inquired about the road condition to it and as the girl didn't know I helped. I told him that it was a really good dirt road and that he would have no trouble. He then said he was towing a van and I again said mate, you'll have no trouble the road was great. He said he had an English ''Bailey van by memory' and that know way was it going on any dirt road. I shrugged my shoulders and left.

Now why I remember that so vividly as I could not work out why you would in the first place have an English van out here and the second thing was if you were touring around wanting to see a bit of the country and you wouldn't take it on a dirt road you were not going to see all the best bits.

That art site had paintings and some petroglyphs that were many thousands of years old and were absolutely stunning.

I'm sure his van would have done it but he had no faith in it for some reason.
Yes there are many roads that would destroy and do, even the stronger built Aussie Vans but that road was a ripper. (Great)

Col.

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The worst day above ground, is a whole lot better than the best one under it. Live life to the fullest while you can.


Personbilly
19/5/2015 at 12:00pm
 Location: North Essex
 Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400 View billy's Profile View Profile   Reply to billy Reply   Quote billy Quote  
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It would depend what users want from their caravans. Do you not have UK style campsites on the coast for example where caravanners just pitch up for their holiday or weekend and go to beach and so on? presumably not all caravanners want outback expeditions?


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PersonAussie Col
19/5/2015 at 12:15pm
 Location: Melbourne Australia
 Outfit: Windsor Rapid Off Road Van + tents View Aussie Col's Profile View Profile   Reply to Aussie Col Reply   Quote Aussie Col Quote  
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There are hundreds if not thousands of caravan /camping sites around the coast and inland that are like that. But you could be towing down a main road and come across road works which may go for 10 or 20 ks and then your van falls apart Ha!

We are a huge country and the distances so great with a very small population to pay for the infrastructure and with floods fires etc etc that you just never know about what lays ahead whilst touring.

Peace of mind makes for a far more relaxing holiday when you know that your car and van will cope with anything and everything that you may come across.

Col.

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The worst day above ground, is a whole lot better than the best one under it. Live life to the fullest while you can.


Personvwalan
19/5/2015 at 5:11pm
 Location: roche cornwall
 Outfit: lynton 5th wheel View vwalan's Profile View Profile   Reply to vwalan Reply   Quote vwalan Quote  
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some might find this site useful its definitely interesting .
there are a few ozzy caravans around but mainly bought for disapearing to africa etc .
theres alot of fun out there.

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vwalan


Persondiesel steve
19/5/2015 at 6:20pm
 Location: fife
 Outfit: vw t5 adria isonzo View diesel steve's Profile View Profile   Reply to diesel steve Reply   Quote diesel steve Quote  
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i was at a caravan and camping show in perth.w.a. in 2007 and saw some amazing bits of kit. spoke to a dealer that was importing adria caravans and doing the conversions to GBP. it worked out at about £35000 for a van that in uk was about £12500, he said the extra cost was in the electrics and a stronger method of construction to cope with the rough roads.



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