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Subject Topic: Trailer virgins, tips needed
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22/4/2010 at 1:26pm
 Location: Liversedge West Yorkshire
 Outfit: CabanonGalaxyDL Amazon600 Icarus500
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LOL,
I remember when we started camping, 2 Adults & 1 Child, Vango Diablo 600 & all the trimmings in our VW Golf ............. now, 5 years later, I'm struggling with a Zafira, Roofbox & Erde 142 with high sides!
Trailers are never big enough, as has been said many times before, decide which trailer you need to fit in all your gear, then buy the next size up!
Seriously though, it's not too hard/expensive to make your own high sides, I managed it & I'm a carpentry clown at best!
Took me a couple of weekends and about £60 for materials (inclusing woodstain) to double it's size & I'm chuffed to bits with it:



-------------
Never argue with an idiot ........
They will drag you down to their level, and then beat you with experience!


22/4/2010 at 6:29pm
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Raclet Astor 300 & something new
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DONT FORGET TO GET A SPARE WHEEL!!!!

We didnt have one, our tyre went flat, luckily we were 10 mins from home, but still took an hour to get sorted!

 



22/4/2010 at 7:19pm
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Good tip about the spare wheel, also I have fitted locking wheel nuts to my trailer wheels as they are 13" car size, more nickable than 8"/10" wheels was my thinking, they are cheap to buy and could save you a big headache.


22/4/2010 at 8:39pm
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When trying to reverse it is often easier to remember that the trailer will go in the same direction as the bottom of the steering wheel.

If you want a challenge try a three point turn with a trailer.

 



22/4/2010 at 10:28pm
 Location: N West Lancs
 Outfit: Coleman WeatherMaster
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Hi Everyone

Trailor--- The smaller the trailor the harder to reverse, the bigger the trailor the easier it is. I have both a 5ft x 3ft and its a real B---H to reverse even after almost 4yrs but better now with practise. The big trailor is the base of a small caravan and is a dream to reverse.

Packing trailor as already said pack in reverse order ie tent last is first out, and so on.

So go get some practise and you could also try a practise pack with the trailor, enjoy all the experience and what you cry at now, you will bring great joy to many as you tell them of your trails and tribulations hahaha.

Regards

 Steven 



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23/4/2010 at 8:29am
 Location: South Cheshire
 Outfit: Monty 6 plus Extension
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We have recently changed our car from an estate to a hatchback and yesterday decided to have a try at packing it ready for our next camping trip in June. After a few raised voices we decided it's a no go and we already have a roof box! Luckily last week I noticed a trailer advertised in our local post office, we went to see it last night and are now the proud owners of a Erde 122. It is like new, only used twice with cover and lock for only £100!
I just means that Hubby will have to all the driving though, as although I am in my 30's I only passed my test in 2008 so can't tow, What a shame, he,he! (the things I do to get out of driving!)
The only thing is now we have no tow bar to take it home!

Can anyone recommend a reasonable tow bar fitter in the South Cheshire/ North Staffs area please?


23/4/2010 at 9:20am
 Location: Newton le Willows LANCASHIRE
 Outfit: Burnt out wreck
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Driving a car with a small trailer is very easy...Just forget you have the trailer attached just drive normally but remember, no faster than 60mph. The trailer will just follow you around corners...there's no need for big swings. The weight of the trailer is neglible regarding the braking performance of your vehicle.   


23/4/2010 at 1:43pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Outwell Hartford XL
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Joined: 14/4/2010

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Hi Have had my trailer for about 5 years. its a 5 x 3 and soon found with camping that i needed to make a plywood "box" that just fits inside the trailer and extends the height by another 12 inches.

I also just made a cycle rack for it to carry 3 bikes and uprated the suspension arms to 500kg with 12" min wheels.

One thing that did catch me out last year was I got done my the police for using the thrid lane on a motorway. I realised trucks never use it and when i thought about it, i'd never seen a caravan in it but forgot I had the trailer on the back. The police man reminded me that ANY articulated vehicle is not allowed in the third lane.

What does help with reversing is one of those plastic clip/stick on mirrors that fits on my rear window. it lets you see the trailer in your mirror when driving along and reversing and you can see for reversing without the trailer.

One thing that does annoy me is my reversing sensors going mad when i reverse with the trailer on.

The weight in the trailer should be biased to keeping a load on the tow ball of the car.

Put the tent in the boot / saloon is a good tip as its the first thing you will need and if you need to put it away wet, always take some bin bags. Put the went tent loosley rolled up in a bin bag and find room for it in the trailer rather than the car.



23/4/2010 at 3:12pm
 Location: Leicester
 Outfit: Outwell Norfolk Lake
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So long as the trailer is less then 750Kg you should be fine to tow on an old license.

There are a few more rules see below!

But for a simple camping trailer in most cases it should be fine to tow on a modern license.

Car licences obtained on or after 1 January 1997

If you passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 you're limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass towing a trailer up to 750kgs, or a vehicle and trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes MAM providing the MAM of the trailer doesn't exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle. You will need to pass an additional driving test in B+E if you wish to tow a caravan or trailer combination which exceeds these weight limits.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_4022521



23/4/2010 at 3:17pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Outwell Monty 6 + Awning
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Im so glad many of you cant/dont reverse these trailers as it makes myself feel far better as i too have tried and cant seem to do it, and always end up in a huff then jump out and push the bloody thing onto the pitch or up the drive!!

 

LOL



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23/4/2010 at 4:13pm
 Location: Bedfordshire
 Outfit: Tent
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I can't reverse mine either! If we are in a jam, he has to unhitch it.

at service stations, I either go with the caravans or park in the back of space for the cars and pull through and take up two spaces.

Tight corners, like mini roundabouts when you need to make a left or right turn can be tricky, but drive thru McD's are easy enough.

and yes, pack the first thing you need on site on the top. We have ours down to a fine art. He even remembers now that the tent is always on top at the back end and dishes etc are in the front end, Wine is in the ice chest...
we have a split top with a piano hinge so either side can lay flat back on the other side best £100 of camping equipment we ever got.

-------------
the bigger the berry, sweeter the juice.



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