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Subject Topic: Tow vehicle OVER 3500kgs for 9mtr Caravan
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PersonLuv2Travel
27/5/2018 at 12:32pm
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My husband has a POST 1997 licence, so we are aware that he is required to update his licence to B&E just to tow a regular UK-sized Caravan of upto 23ft/7mtrs; However, we want to go for a 30ft/9mtr American Caravan (Travel Trailer) - they are more like a tiny house on wheels. It would allow us to full-time travel, as we are self-employed and the work requires a fair amount of travelling. Right now, we spend more time travelling to get home.

The weight of the Vehicle required to tow over 7mtrs must be OVER 3500kgs. DVLA told us he would be required to go as far as getting a C1&E update to legally tow up to 12mtrs. YET, we have still to get over the hurdle of finding a big enough vehicle, that is legal to boot, to tow our dream Caravan -

Take 7 passengers - we have 5 children
Tow over 3500kgs - decent American Caravan start 9mtrs length
Is available to buy in the UK

Someone told us you could possibly 'Downplate' a Commercial Vehicle, but staying over 3500kgs threshold to legally tow. Not familiar with this process and DVLA are so unhelpful, suggesting it 'might not' be just a paperwork exercise. My husband now has visions of him having to drive a Heavy Duty Rig about town lol. My head hurts trying to find a solution, so we need serious help from those who know.

If anyone has knowledge that could help, we would be eternally grateful - we are novices in the world of Caravan Towing full-stop, but won't let that stop us trying to make the dream a reality. I know from reading this forum that if anyone knows, it will be you guys


PersonRob and Tina
27/5/2018 at 12:52pm
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Welcome to the forum. I can't help with the tow vehicle problem but a couple of other things have crossed my mind about the use of an American trailer. Is the width of the trailer legal on British roads? Where do you intend to pitch your outfit? I think the length of the trailer will prevent you from using most campsites due to pitch size and access problems.

Rob


Personmarg6
27/5/2018 at 1:55pm
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whats more worrying about the post is the " we are novices in the world of Caravan Towing full-stop, but won't let that stop us trying to make the dream a reality" come on start off with something more suitable to learn with! I don't want your dream coming together with mine all because you don't know how to tow the thing!


Personoxter
27/5/2018 at 3:24pm
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The maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres. The maximum length for a trailer towed by a vehicle weighing up to 3,500kg is 7 metres.

You need to check width before anything else.

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playing at tinkies


Personmarg6
27/5/2018 at 4:03pm
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they are asking for OVER 3500kgs! not under


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PersonGrampian91
27/5/2018 at 4:08pm
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Rather extreme for a caravanning holiday in the UK.

Your going to need your HGV licence and taking 2 weeks full time? Not forgetting your medical requirements.

Then your going to need something like a large motorhome or small coach, Irisbus or 814? With 4.5L or 5L diesel engines at approx 12MPG.

Then the issue of what campsite will allow that combination and where will you be able to travel to with a coach with its parking issues and height issues?

Your spending more time travelling home, wont you still need to do that to take the kids to school?

DVLA are unhelpful? Because its nothing to do with them. If you want a vehicle downplated then you need to speak to the vehicle manufacturer not the DVLA.

Once the vehicle has been downplated then you can inform them of the weight change. But if your going to need an HGV licence why bother downplating?

Then parking issues of your tow vehicle. Should be fun on the school run.


Personoxter
27/5/2018 at 4:22pm
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Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 27/5/2018
they are asking for OVER 3500kgs! not under


Yes, but the width was for ANY vehicle. I’m worried they buy an over-width US trailer and need an escort. 😩

Good luck - but they might have problems with that dream





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playing at tinkies


Person664DaveS
27/5/2018 at 6:57pm
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5 kids and 2 adults means a 7 seater.Maybe american day van type vehicle which might tow that size van.
Most of those have big gas guzzling V8 engines and would drink fuel.Massive suv such as Chevvy Tahoe or Suburban?
There may be some about but will be LHD personal imports.

Americans tend to use big pickups but most are 5 seat.
Cannot see many sites letting that size oitfit in



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DS-There's more to life than football!!!


PersonGrampian91
27/5/2018 at 7:19pm
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Tahoe only weighs 2.5 tons, 3.5 ton axle limits so it will be less than 3500kg.


PersonOpensauce
27/5/2018 at 7:31pm
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A more practical idea after taking your hgv licence would be a large American motorhome with slide outs & a trailer towing a 7 seater people carrier. Ford Galaxy or similar. Or if both of you drive then one drive the motorhome & the other drive the car. This would be more practical for campsites as well.


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Personnavver
27/5/2018 at 8:02pm
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I can't say I've ever seen a caravan that size on a camp site. All the big stuff I've seen has been American RVs with slide outs, converted coaches and big American 5th wheelers with slide outs.

Of these I guess the 5th wheeler would be most suitable as it gives a reasonably small vehicle to drive on the road while the trailer stays on the site.


Persondiesel steve
27/5/2018 at 9:01pm
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Quote: Originally posted by oxter on 27/5/2018
The maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres. The maximum length for a trailer towed by a vehicle weighing up to 3,500kg is 7 metres.

You need to check width before anything else.


my adria is 8.19 metres long and is uk legal


PersonDaveS1
27/5/2018 at 9:31pm
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The 7 metre maximum does not include the A frame.
DaveS1


Personmarg6
27/5/2018 at 9:31pm
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that's 7 meters body length, your adria must be 1.19 hitch length then?


Persondiesel steve
27/5/2018 at 9:47pm
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got a long a frame,in storage so can't measure it


PersonLuv2Travel
27/5/2018 at 11:40pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Rob and Tina on 27/5/2018
Welcome to the forum. I can't help with the tow vehicle problem but a couple of other things have crossed my mind about the use of an American trailer. Is the width of the trailer legal on British roads? Where do you intend to pitch your outfit? I think the length of the trailer will prevent you from using most campsites due to pitch size and access problems.

Rob


Thank you anyway- American 5th Wheelers and Travel Trailers are more frequent on the Camping & Caravan Site. They are all UK road legal. Having spoken to them was advised that so long as the Caravan or Motorhome is 9mtrs or less, then it's not a problem.



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