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Topic: Why so few ?

Dave11

20/3/2017 at 1:41pm
Location: Sussex
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Is there any reason why we see hardly any Caravans being pulled by day vans / camper vans?

Putting cost to one side, as this can't be a primary factor as there are many big or expensive tow cars out there, why would the average caravanner not want the facilities to enjoy whilst out of a day or indeed the flexibility of a night away from site (making the wardens aware of course).
It can be used as a day to day vehicle as well , yet I rarely see any caravans being pulled by a day / camper van unless I am in France on holiday?
I was considering changing my 4WD and thought this would be a good idea, but it's so rare to see it's putting me off. Is it they don't make good towcars?

Opensauce

20/3/2017 at 2:02pm
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The flexibility of caravans is that we can buy an unmotorised sleeping box that can be stored when not in use leaving the engine bit of it for everyday use as a car throughout the year. This is the cost effectiveness of a caravan over a motorhome.

Most of us do not want some sort of campervan or day van for everyday use. We want a car.

Some folk are van enthusiasts. They have VW day vans or campers of varying vintage from old to brand new & often they are happy for these vans to be their daily drivers. Most of these folk are in no way caravan enthusiasts. If they want extra space on camping trips they use side awning or separate tent.

A VW T5 for example will make a reasonable towcar for even a large caravan but it does need some weight in the back. A suitably sized car or SUV will arguably make a better towcar though.

I can see why folks like campervans. I used to have a VW camper myself but I got fed up with banging my head & the hassle of going offsite just for a shopping trip so I arrived at modern car & cheap caravan as cost effective better alternative.

Nothing to stop anybody buying a campervan & towing a caravan if that's what they though.

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peter1474

20/3/2017 at 2:03pm
Location: ML9
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What is a day van?

Why pull a caravan with a campervan?

Looks like trying to sort something that is not broken really. Though maybe a day van whatever it is might be a step up from a BM X5 hahaha

Also why would you inform the wardens if you were away for a night? you have paid for the pitch, never had a roll call on a site before.

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Peter and CofSD (Anne)

Opensauce

20/3/2017 at 2:33pm
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Fyi Peter.. You have to be a van freak to understand the 'dayvan' concept. If you look at the price of 'proper' VW campers a new T6 is north of £50k. Even a few yrs secondhand they are £30k.

So what you do is find a used VW van a few yrs old & start off with adding tinted windows on sliding door & opposite side. Then you add alloys, Borbets or BBS with low profile rubber. Line out the inside with carpet glued on ply with plenty of speakers for your thumping sound system.

Then add rock 'n roll bed & you are almost there. You may also want to remap motor out to 180bhp & add body kit with running boards. Plenty on ebay from pristine to wrecks if you don't want to diy.

peter1474

20/3/2017 at 2:39pm
Location: ML9
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Thanks Opensauce, honestly had never heard the term before.

I can see why they wouldn't want t pull a caravan with that set up, you don't pimp a ride then add a muckle caravan to it. Does sound a step up from a BMW mind ;-) more Kudos.

So happy to have my CRV to pull my van.

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Peter and CofSD (Anne)

dusters

20/3/2017 at 2:50pm
Location: Hastings
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is this supposed 2 b a serious question???

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phil.

peter1474

20/3/2017 at 3:02pm
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Phil, don't think so. but at least I found out what a dayvan is.

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Peter and CofSD (Anne)

Dave11

20/3/2017 at 3:57pm
Location: Sussex
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Hi Peter 1474 thanks but for a towing car I will stick to my X5 :-)
Been towing for 25 years and driving for 48 years, first BMW ever owned and can honestly say it's the best tow car and indeed best drivers car I have ever driven and I had many cars over the years!
Yes Dusters it is a serious question , without going on for too long a post I am trying to find a solution to a good problem.
Briefly wife and I now in 60's able now to get more time away, however as mentioned in previous post one of my daughters her husband and 15 month old granddaughter love coming away with us for Bank holidays and two weeks to France or Italy in the summer and occasional weekends.
Our caravan is a 4 berth T/A so for the wife and I have loads of space which we love having and also suits when my daughter and family with us . However we were looking to change to a Motorhome but despite searching for a maximum 8.00 mtr mitorhome with enough sleeping berths and travelling seats and enough power to tow a small car has proved virtually impossible . I know my daughter is looking to have another child within the next two years, which neans our caravan would not be big enough for sleeping berths. The wife and I would like to tour year round as more time comes available to us. so an awning would not be much use in the winter.
I was exploring the possibility of towing with a camper van so that when needed the wife and I could decamp to sleep there, giving the caravan betths to my daughter and family.
We need to make the right decision , I know if I have a Motorhome I would want the convenience of towing a small car, but can't find one with suitable berths and size to fit on most pitches up to 8 metres.
Consequently may have to stay with the caravan and change to a 5 /6 berth, which would be overkill for when the wife and I are touring on our own .

peter1474

20/3/2017 at 4:22pm
Location: ML9
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Nice motor only jesting with you Dave.

Telling your reason for the question puts a new light on it. And a good reason as well.

I think though I would change up to 5/6 berth van and relish in the space when there were only the 2 of us.

Have you thought of an awning with annexe?

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Peter and CofSD (Anne)

GCMS2012

20/3/2017 at 4:23pm
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I'd say 'give it time', regarding towing a caravan with a van - be it a 'day van', or even a normal van.....

Road taxes are about to change (again?)....

Take my situation as an example...

OH has the new / must be kept clean / look after me lease car...

I on the other hand, have the heavy / doesn't matter if it gets dirty etc 4x4 for towing the caravan...

I hope to soon be changing jobs sometime, and therefore won't be needing the 4x4 part anymore.

I will still need the towing capacity though - which I'll only find in a van now as cars these days are becoming 'lighter'.

Which is also where I mentioned the road tax....

Cars, AFAIK, will be taxed regarding engine size / emissions / list price and so on...

Yet vans seem to be 'left alone'....

So you do the maths on my plans....

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sennen26

20/3/2017 at 4:52pm
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We are looking at towing with a day van so we can put our bikes in the back out of the way along with chairs ect. The day van we looked at has windows in the sides no bed but small kitchen and toilet we can be independent on days out.

Sennen

JTQU

20/3/2017 at 5:28pm
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As I see it, with a camper van you have a vehicle way up towards its maximum permitted weight. Then you couple it to a caravan kissing 90 % of its unladen weight. Then that poor modestly commercially rated 150 to 180 bhp engine has to haul that about.
Does not stack up that well compared to a decent domestic car at least 500 kgs lighter, pulling the same van with probably 250 - 270 bhp.

Even so, as we age and places are closing their public WCs, I can see the attraction.

Opensauce

20/3/2017 at 5:56pm
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If op wants to tow their caravan with with a VW camper & funds are obviously not an issue then a new T6 camper with 180bhp will tow large caravan no probs. You can go for long or short wheelbase.

Several converters about. Bilbo's are good. Look on their website.

diesel steve

20/3/2017 at 8:01pm
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Quote: Originally posted by JTQU on 20/3/2017
As I see it, with a camper van you have a vehicle way up towards its maximum permitted weight. Then you couple it to a caravan kissing 90 % of its unladen weight. Then that poor modestly commercially rated 150 to 180 bhp engine has to haul that about.
Does not stack up that well compared to a decent domestic car at least 500 kgs lighter, pulling the same van with probably 250 - 270 bhp.

Even so, as we age and places are closing their public WCs, I can see the attraction.

you should try a hyundai i800.168 bhp and pulls 1800kgs like its not there.effortless.

Johnnie Boy

20/3/2017 at 8:26pm
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Best setup you can have in my eyes, small caravan towed with a camper van / day van.
Leave the caravan onsite and off you go for the day.
Just lined the van out with carpet got the side windows in, rock and roll beds on order.

JTQU

20/3/2017 at 9:01pm
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Quote: Originally posted by diesel steve on 20/3/2017
you should try a hyundai i800.168 bhp and pulls 1800kgs like its not there.effortless.

However, the OP would be coming from a BMW X5. That even if diesel will be about as I suggested 260ish bhp.
My experience leads me to believe they with a 100 less bhp, will notice the van is there.

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