Is there a general advice section that I can look at?
We are aiming to get a caravan and tow car asap. I have been hovering and reading up on posts. I haven't found a general tips and tricks section, is there one?
I am very open to ideas on caravans and which car to use to tow, and any recommendations would be superb. 4+ berths.
ATM I am very confused on the towing weight allowances.
thanks in advance for any info you are prepared to share.
------------- Our Vango Colorado 800DLX finally gave in after 8 years service.
Now on the hunt for the perfect caravan and Tow car!!
Hi there! I can't give you much advice on towing sorry! But I can give you a few tips on choosing a caravan.
Best to go and physically see as many styles as possible that suit your budget - don't just look online. You need to get a feel for what layout you really think will work for you. Invest in a damp meter and check for damp in any model you're interested in - old and new! Also think about where you're going to store it - have you got a driveway or will you need to find a caravan storage facility?
Good luck!
------------- Gillian
Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
Great advice. Thank you.
I have started to research places to store the van, as our driveway would not take the caravan.
I have been to see LOTS of vans......... and it seems I have gotten a little confused over what it is a want from the van. We are a family of 4, want plenty of space ( as much as a caravan will allow) but don't want to push ourselves towing a very heavy caravan etc for 1st time caravanners.
------------- Our Vango Colorado 800DLX finally gave in after 8 years service.
Now on the hunt for the perfect caravan and Tow car!!
Have you checked out the caravan section in the features\tips section at the top of the page? Found quite a few useful articles and check lists alongside the reviews.
We did what you did bourne when we first started looking - look at LOADS to get a feel for what you want....
Ended up going for a double dinette layout, as when the boys were little, we could put them into the double bed in the rear and pull along the screen / partition so we could still say up in the front.
Now that they're bigger and needing their 'own bed each (bunks), we now need a bigger van, and so are selling this one.
Thanks for the advice.
I am thinking I would like a fixed bed........ my kids are 10 & 9. I would like a bit of privacy for DH and I.
But then need the front setas/beds to be long enough for a teenager to sleep on..... don't want to have to upgrade too soon, as planning on buying new.
------------- Our Vango Colorado 800DLX finally gave in after 8 years service.
Now on the hunt for the perfect caravan and Tow car!!
I think first step is to think about what beds you want. No good having 2 doubles if you have a teenage son and daughter but OK for young children.
Caravan bunks are usually suitable for smaller children but not big teenagers.
Fixed bed is lovely but not if the children will go to bed early you will have nowhere to sit if they have the front. Although you could sit in the awning.
Many teenagers like their own space and prefer sleeping in a pup tent. By 15 they often want to stay at home.
If you have teenagers you need somewhere private to wash and change. End washroom or fixed bed would suit.
Then sitting space. Families may want 2 activities at once. Watching TV one end playing etc other end.
Then look at what weight car you have or will buy. Big roomy caravans are lovely but you will need a big car to tow with. Smaller caravans are much easier to tow, need a smaller car and will be more relaxing on a long journey. What will you be happy towing. Will you be nervous.
Quote: Originally posted by bourne2100 on 31/7/2015
Thanks for the advice.
I am thinking I would like a fixed bed........ my kids are 10 & 9. I would like a bit of privacy for DH and I.
But then need the front setas/beds to be long enough for a teenager to sleep on..... don't want to have to upgrade too soon, as planning on buying new.
Same as our needs. Look at the fixed bed models but check the length of the lounge seats. We use these for the kids with a sleeping bag and didn't want to have to make the bed up everyday. The only way we could get lounge long enough was to get a twin axle. So glad we did it's the best can we've owned, so easy to tow they are much more stable when towing. I also like he safety of 4 wheels on the road, if we ever do get a puncture maintaining control is so much easier.
Also consider bathroom. Ours has an end bathroom with full shower, much easier with children in fact it's so good we use it ourselves too.
Quote: Originally posted by checkley1973 on 01/8/2015
Quote: Originally posted by bourne2100 on 31/7/2015Thanks for the advice.
I am thinking I would like a fixed bed........ my kids are 10 & 9. I would like a bit of privacy for DH and I.
But then need the front setas/beds to be long enough for a teenager to sleep on..... don't want to have to upgrade too soon, as planning on buying new.
Same as our needs. Look at the fixed bed models but check the length of the lounge seats. We use these for the kids with a sleeping bag and didn't want to have to make the bed up everyday. The only way we could get lounge long enough was to get a twin axle. So glad we did it's the best can we've owned, so easy to tow they are much more stable when towing. I also like he safety of 4 wheels on the road, if we ever do get a puncture maintaining control is so much easier.
Also consider bathroom. Ours has an end bathroom with full shower, much easier with children in fact it's so good we use it ourselves too.
We have a single axle, fixed bed and at the front two singles, one is 6 foot the other six foot one, so they are around.
------------- Nick
2017
April - New Forest(9)
May - Dorset (9)
August - Camping Le Pin Parasol, Vendee (18)
October - East Mersea (8)
and five nights in the one man tent!
Quote: Originally posted by bourne2100 on 31/7/2015
ATM I am very confused on the towing weight allowances.
thanks in advance for any info you are prepared to share.
I'm nearly as new to this as you are, but my understanding of weight is simplified like this:
Look at your car V5 to see what it weighs.
It's in Section 4 (blue header) item G and called 'Mass in Service'
General advice is that the total weight of your caravan should not exceed 85% of this (unless you are experienced at towing).
Caravans have two weights - MIRO - Mass in Running Order - or in English - what it weighs when it comes out of the factory and
MTPLM - Maximum Total Permitted Laden Mass - or in English - the most it can legally weigh when you've put all your personal stuff in*.
Here's an example of our set-up.
My car weighs 1682 kg
85% of that is 1430kg
My caravan has an MTPLM of 1376kg so I'm well under the 85%.
Find out your weight limit before you fall in love with a 6 berth twin-axle that you can't possibly tow. Knowing our weight limit made things much simpler when looking for our first van. It also meant I stuck to my guns when two different dealers tried to convince me that I could tow something much heavier. Yes, legally I could, but as a novice I wasn't prepared to. It also helped me walk away from two companies who I felt were unscrupulous and more interested in making any sale than setting me up with a safe outfit match.
When we did buy our caravan, the very first question the dealer asked me was "what are you towing with and do you know what it weighs". That was a good start :-)
* there are exceptions to this and someone will probably talk about having vans 'replated' but I'm offering a simple version