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Quote: Originally posted by Rob and Tina on 21/6/2022

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Before you go too far,
what are you going to tow this with as it is a big hefty beast?

Tina

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Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 21/6/2022

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ok the freelander is out as its not got the weight allowance for towing it, we have the caravan and we are a couple the same as you with 2 dogs.

erm only way i can describe it is its bloody brilliant for living in! loads of room in all respects, you will never fill all the storage!

the only one fault we have with ours is the bedroom door! do rely on the catch to hold it still while towing, we put our awning across to stop it from moving around.

ours is the 2006 model, without the freezer so the fire is placed there, i didnt want the freezer as that meant the fire was way to close to the pull out bed and likely to be a problem with bedding getting too hot during the night, besides the ice box in the fridge is big enough for 2 people for about 3 days at a time and if like us you will be out and about anyway so pick shopping up then.

make sure your reversing skills are good, your not going to be able to man handle this caravan with just the 2 of you. the one main issue if your still at the "just looking" stage is that like all elldis's the front windows can and do leak, so you want to get it damp checked, dont rely on the seller being honest, get it checked yourself.

and lastly once you have had this caravan there is nothing else on the market that even comes close hence why we have had ours now for the last 15 years and its still looking as good now as it did the day we bought it

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Quote: Originally posted by martin734 on 21/6/2022

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Thank you, that was generally very helpful and it definitely would seem to be a good choice.

I very much disagree about the Freelander being unable to tow the van though, it pulls our 2000kg horsebox very easily, comfortably and legally which is considerably heavier than the max gross weight of the caravan and with a much higher CoG and far less inherent stability. I tow at least 10,000 miles per year for work and leisure so I am very used to driving and reversing large trailers.

I don't know if we will fit an awning as at many of the places we will be staying they are not really appropriate as they are not formal campsites, but more likely to be country show type events and trade and agricultural shows. It is good to know that it is a durable van and thank you for the warning about the front windows I will make sure to check those.

The van we are looking at does not have an electric fire but blown air heating, would this be sufficient to keep the van warm in early spring and late autumn? How much gas would you typically use over a 2 week period?
I am glad that there is plenty of storage as we will mostly be staying on-site for our stay so being able to stock up for the entire stay is very important.

Durabilty is important as it will be used at trade and agricultural shows that we help set up and exhibit at rather than staying on purpose built campsites with smooth pitches and roads/tracks.

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Quote: Originally posted by marg6 on 21/6/2022

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Quote: Originally posted by martin734 on 21/6/2022

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Quote:

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Thank you, that was generally very helpful and it definitely would seem to be a good choice.

I very much disagree about the Freelander being unable to tow the van though, it pulls our 2000kg horsebox very easily, comfortably and legally which is considerably heavier than the max gross weight of the caravan and with a much higher CoG and far less inherent stability. I tow at least 10,000 miles per year for work and leisure so I am very used to driving and reversing large trailers.

I don't know if we will fit an awning as at many of the places we will be staying they are not really appropriate as they are not formal campsites, but more likely to be country show type events and trade and agricultural shows. It is good to know that it is a durable van and thank you for the warning about the front windows I will make sure to check those.

The van we are looking at does not have an electric fire but blown air heating, would this be sufficient to keep the van warm in early spring and late autumn? How much gas would you typically use over a 2 week period?
I am glad that there is plenty of storage as we will mostly be staying on-site for our stay so being able to stock up for the entire stay is very important.

Durabilty is important as it will be used at trade and agricultural shows that we help set up and exhibit at rather than staying on purpose built campsites with smooth pitches and roads/tracks.

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ok for the type of caravanning your going to be doing your main issue is power or the lack of it!

why hasnt your van got electric heating from the fire? they all do have it not just gas and blown

your feelander/defender might be rated to tow 2000kgs but add the car weight and the caravan max loaded weight together and it takes you well over your licence requirements unless your like us and have had our driving licences well before 1997



Post last edited on 21/06/2022 13:31:01

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Quote: Originally posted by martin734 on 21/6/2022

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Mainly by a Land Rover Defender 130 with a 4.6 V8. Occasionally it may be towed by a Freelander 2.2 TD4.

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Quote: Originally posted by iank01 on 23/6/2022

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Quote: Originally posted by martin734 on 21/6/2022

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Mainly by a Land Rover Defender 130 with a 4.6 V8. Occasionally it may be towed by a Freelander 2.2 TD4.

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Although the Freelander is legally capable of towing it, the kerbweight may be on the border line from a safety point of view. Do you tow a horse box at 60mph?
Although you may be experienced at towing, the caravan is probably a lot bigger and longer than your horsebox and the last thing you need is for the caravan to take control as it is heavier than the Freelander, however it is your choice whether you want to endanger yourselves.   Unfortunately you do not mentioned age of the caravan, but if it is 2010 or newer check for cracks on front and rear panels especially where they join the roof panel. This advice applies to most brands of caravan.

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