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Subject Topic: small car and trailer vs big car?
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07/11/2007 at 12:32pm
 Location: N. Ireland
 Outfit: Elddis Xplore 304
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Financially there's no contest - a small/medium car is thousands cheaper than a bigger car, also cheaper to run and insure, especially with the miles you are doing. In comparison purchasing a trailer and taking it on the ferry once a year is less expensive, plus you will always have the trailer, it's not like buying a bigger car then losing the money on depreciation.

I've always liked Citroens, I'm on my 4th now, they're very comfortable, reliable and cheap - we have a C5 at the mo.



08/11/2007 at 8:44pm
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How about a Nissan Primera?  Mine has a vast boot and you can use a Thule back box on it if you need more space, an additional 450 litres.

80

We use one with our Almera and it works a treat, no limitations on speed like you have with a trailer and no drag so doesn't consume more fuel.

Ali



09/11/2007 at 11:08am
 Location: East Sussex
 Outfit: None Entered
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Quote: Originally posted by arthurdent on 07/11/2007

Financially there's no contest - a small/medium car is thousands cheaper than a bigger car, also cheaper to run and insure,


That's very true, but we seem to find loads of other occasions when we need a big car with loads of load space - taking stuff to the tip, collecting furniture, washing machines, timber etc. We've probably saved £100 or more in delivery charges this year alone.

When you've got dogs you need a bigger car too. Although ours are only small, they travel in crates (it's safest) and they take up the whole of the back seat area when the seat is folded down, so the normal luggage space is all that's left for our stuff.

I can't believe we used to go camping with a much bigger dog and got everything in a Micra!



09/11/2007 at 11:10am
 Location: East Sussex
 Outfit: None Entered
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Quote: Originally posted by snowy747 on 08/11/2007

How about a Nissan Primera?  Mine has a vast boot and you can use a Thule back box on it if you need more space, an additional 450 litres.

80

We use one with our Almera and it works a treat, no limitations on speed like you have with a trailer and no drag so doesn't consume more fuel.

Ali


 

They look like just the job to me. How difficult is it to get to the tailgate when the box is on?

 

 



09/11/2007 at 12:34pm
 Location: Leicestershire
 Outfit: 1995 Pennine Fiesta
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Yes the box looks a great idea, I would seriously consider it. Is the rack and box easy to get on and off? Also I don't really understand about how you fit the lighting board on the back - do things like that all come in an easy fit kit, or is it something you have to get done at Halfords or a garage?


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09/11/2007 at 11:39pm
 Location: west yorks
 Outfit: Bailey Senator California
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 i ve got a VW Passat it does 50 to the gallon on average what more can you ask for

  Phil



10/11/2007 at 12:08am
 Location: Newcastle u lyme staffordshire
 Outfit: outwell indiana 6 & 2 Quechua's &base
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Quote: Originally posted by sparky69 on 09/11/2007

 i ve got a VW Passat it does 50 to the gallon on average what more can you ask for

  Phil


??? what engine is that.......i have a 2006 jetta 2.0 turbo diesal and i only get aprox 45......and its lighter, unless you drive to the specification that is

jans



-------------
Work just gets in the way.



10/11/2007 at 11:03am
 Location: Berrys Green Kent
 Outfit: Outwell SV8
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doesn't matter what you buy as you will always fill it and eventually need more space. Get a HGV licence and buy a truck.


11/11/2007 at 10:07am
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Camplet Concorde Bailey Phoenix+ 420
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If I remember rightly the box and frame tip backwards so you can get to the tailgate.  The lighting board is a permanent fixture on the frame and the box sits on top.

-------------
Kate

Trailer tent, caravan and too many tents!


11/11/2007 at 12:33pm
 Location: South West
 Outfit: Lots of Cabanons + Freighter 600
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We have a VW caravelle which I would like to change because of running costs, lack of air con and tinted windows   
...but I just can't seem to find a good alternative, it might be tatty but it's just so reliable and useful! I think a trailer would be a hassle and extra expense esp. if travelling by ferry. At the moment we can fit everything in the van and still have plenty space. I've been through so many different options in my head but can't think of anything better(on a limited budget, don't want to spend too much on a car anyway!)than the set up we've got.

Aaaargh one day we will decide.


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11/11/2007 at 6:51pm
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Yep the box and frame sit on the towball.  If you need to get into the tailgate you slacken off the clamp and lower it down then raise it again when you are done.

You can buy all sorts of attachments for the base, carry stuff to the tip etc etc so it is very handy to have.  You need a number plate made up but that's it, the light board is integral to the base.

We have taken it to France and driven down to the Alps and it was rock solid.  Once there we chained it to the tree behind our tent and used it for storage.  Not seen many in this country but quite a few cars on the continent had them on.

Ali



12/11/2007 at 7:47pm
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Hi Ali.
Sounds good if you only want a little extra room.
But for the campers that only use large tents and have a family I do not think it is the answer, we bought a 4x3 trailer last year we filled that a roof rack and our Nisson
Note car. We now have a 6'6" x 3'6" trailer and all our gear will fit inside the fitted cover not cheap and we traveled 30miles above were Steven lives up in the cold county, to fetch it740 mile round trip.
So myself I would always recommend the biggest trailer you can afford,
And as I said to val, we could load the Kitchen tent the tarp and sleep in the trailer, guess what she said
Regards
Rex

-------------
"Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)


12/11/2007 at 8:11pm
 Location: Blackpool
 Outfit: Bear Lake 6 & Minny 4 + others
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Hi,

If cost is an issue there are other alternatives to the Zafira e.g. Kia Carens. My brother-in-law has one and they are really impressed with it.

I personally will never buy another Zafira, or Vauxhall come to that!. We had one and it was a great car to drive, nippy for the size and economical. However we got rid of this year after repeated problems.

The air conditioning ran out of gas 3 times in 18 months, but garage were unable to diagnose a leak or problem in the system. Re-gassing is £80 a shot and not covered by the warranty.

But a bigger issue was that within 6 months the starter motor/ignition switch went twice. The first time it was under warranty, the second time was 6 days out of warranty! The garage were really helpful and got Vauxhall to pay half of the repair but we still had to find £300+. We found out by doing a bit of internet research that is quite a common problem on this age and model of Zafira (2004 2.0DTi) and that Vauxhall seem to be doing nothing about it. See http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_23373.html

This is a pity because as said previously, it was great versatile car to drive.


13/11/2007 at 1:02pm
 Location: N. Ireland
 Outfit: Elddis Xplore 304
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Has anyone used these yet ? http://www.rackinabag.co.uk/

They seem perfect - cheap, easy and portable. But I haven't used one so I can't say if there's a catch or not ....




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