My van is brilliant up to 50, you can corner quite hard. Up to 60 you need a little care, up to 65 any draught or buffeting will set you wobbling
I've found the age old technique of not looking in the mirrors removes any worry.
🙂
Edit:
I never get bored of posting pics of my 'rig'
[img] 
[/img]
I don't have to look in the mirrors to feel the wobbling!
If we are show and telling
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8297/7923239210_d798129672.jp g" target="_blank">
I would second the advice of going camping near your house first to get the hang of it and find out what you need/forgot or things you didn't realize you need. Also if you have an awning it would be a good place to get the hang of putting it up. The first time we used ours we had a big bag full of funny size poles and not a clue of how to put it all together. Luckily for us some friendly camping neighbours put the whole thing up for us. I had to stand there looking gormless. 😳
I must admit, we had a pretty horrible start to caravaning. After 2 trips out I'd have been quite happy to never see it again.
A year on and things are looking a lot better, just come back from our first main holiday in the van...I love it! Some of the best caravaning was late autumn / early spring when it's hard to camp, but ace in the caravan as there is not many people about.
I'd third the idea of going locally for your first outing, there is a fair learing curve to get up when you start.
The first time we used ours we had a big bag full of funny size poles and not a clue of how to put it all together
Our van came with two awnings. One we were told was small and one large. When we went to Germany to work we only wanted one, so I got out one set of poles - yep, all there, and one awning - yep, also all there. No worries, I know how to put up an awning having done it a hundred times as a kid. You can probably see where this is going however.
Just before we left Germany my in laws came to visit, the plan being that we'd all drive back and stay in the caravan on the way, with the in laws in the awning in an inner tent. We spent so long packing we only made it about 60 miles or so that first day so we found a campsite, no problems.
Got the awning out, got the poles out - hang on a minute, wtf is going on here? There's some bits missing. Some of the main struts seem to be in two pieces, that's weird. In one of my most resourceful moments, I found a local DIY place that was sitll open, bought some different lengths of aluminium tube and jubilee clips and botched it together, whilst being watched in silence by my grumpy tetchy father in law, my 8.5 month pregnant wife and her walking-on-eggshells mother.
I got the thing up, and it stayed up all night too, but the in laws weren't impressed and I had to take them to a hotel.
Turns out I'd brought the poles for the small awning which looked the same as the small set but the left and right arms were shorter, but they fit together in an alternative way which made it look like there was a bit missing.
Anyway going through the bits last night when tidying the garage turns out there are actually THREE sets of poles, the third is not an awning set but for something else I cannot identify. Best guess is a toilet tent, but there is no tent and the van has a toilet. Must've got lumped in there somehow.
Could I ask you caravanning types about a very small van I saw recently at Kenmore. There was no manufacturer's name but it had been titled the Tupperware Tardis by the owner who was nowhere to be seen. It didn't look long enough to stretch out in but I was intrigued - it seemed to be made of material like the back of a small campervan.
Umm.. this?
elzorillo - Member
Had a caravan for years..Whenever I go windsurfing all the guys sleeping in the back of their vans or still stuck in some layby somewhere in their broken down Vw camper think I'm so uncool. Or on a weekend away with mates who would rather sleep in a tent than ruin their 'image' by owning a caravan.
Oh how I do love it in the morning waking up in a proper bed, hot running water, a shower and a bacon roll, then throwing the door open to see the look of desperation on the 'cool' guys heheheheheh
Even had one mate recently buy a caravan then immediatelly sell it for a tent because his wife felt uncool in it
Caravans are cool, for all the reasons you've stated - what else can you take pretty much anywhere (within reason), that can sleep 4+ people, has a toilet, kitchen, shower, central heating - and leave in situ, whilst you drive your normal car around?
They are just used by some uncool people, but then so are most things.
I'm currently sat in mine near Bristol, with 6 Music playing on my freeview TV, saving around £700 a month not being in a dismal Travelodge - tomorrow, I'll drive my truck to work, Friday I'll drive home and next Monday I'll come back to it where I left it. So far this year, I've used it for a week on the best campsite in Britain (3 Cliffs) and a long weekend in the Lakes with the family.
[img] 
[/img]
Ours:-
[url= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5230/5656634895_431c9267c5_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/takisawa2/5656634895/ ]Car & Caravan-1[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/takisawa2/ ]pten2106[/url], on Flickr
We love it, but especially the kids. It has twin dinettes, so the one end is basically left set up as my two lads bedroom. Spent weekend just gone near Windsor & drove home this morning.
I put all the bikes inside while travelling. Took a while to find this layout as wanted one with a full separate shower cubicle.
1500kg MTPLM, is exactly 85% of the car. Very stable to tow.
Except for two weeks ago coming back from Devon late on a Sat night, when a tyre blew out. The Tyron bands did their job & kept the tyre on till it slowed to a stop.
Bit of a brown trouser moment. 🙂
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8284/7784089974_4474b4c7ab_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/takisawa2/7784089974/ ]IMAG0828[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/takisawa2/ ]pten2106[/url], on Flickr
Check the tyres & don't risk them if over 5 yrs old, regardless of mileage.
You can see on the video, the outsides looked fine, but the insides...
[url= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88AXGFrZr5E&feature=youtube_gdata_player ]Click.[/url]
If your fixing damp there's plenty of info on ukcampsite, & some good stuff here:-
[url= http://www.1carpc.co.uk/wcdr/index.htm ]Click[/url]
Well, if we're showing...it isn't as posh as your vans though...
[img] 
[/img]
Keep thinking about one, really must stop.
Tents are cool
Caravans are not (but at least you can wee in them)
[quote=Tiger6791 ]Keep thinking about one, really must stop.
Tents are cool
Caravans are not (but at least you can wee in them)
tents are ****ing cold, mate, not just cool, or else boiling as soon as the sun hits them
never got my head round this idea that being "cool" is better than being "comfortable", personally...
Tents are a faff, damp, cold, too hot, too small or too big. Second time out in ours was big bike bash a couple of years ago. Rolled up at 12am in the rain. Legs down, lights on, hot chocolate and toast within minutes, followed by a cosy warm bed with a real mattress, sheets and a duvet. Brilliant 🙂
Worst of both worlds here - we keep all our camping stuff in a trailer so we have to tow but still put up and sleep in a tent.
Actually there is a downside to caravanning - 28-32mpg instead of 55-60. Adds a fair bit of cost to the whole thing.
we'd never go back to a tent after getting a caravan. tents suck big time.
Its not like you're trekking to the middle of nowhere, just get yourselves booked into a nice B&B instead.
I think caravans should be allowed no further than the motorway. I propose a caravan park on junction 36 of the m6.
just get yourselves booked into a nice B&B instead.
B&Bs are crap compared to caravans. It's someone else's room, usually with a crappy bed, you can't relax all day in it or cook your own food or lunch, you're in a completely different environment.
Since we're sharing, here's the only available pic of my caravan:
[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8313/7929377898_801427e01d_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/11569254@N06/7929377898/ ]Caravan[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/11569254@N06/ ]molgrips[/url], on Flickr
I've lived in/holidayed in a caravan for 13 years. Done lots of touring. It's 24' overall, twin axle. Here's my thoughts from experience:
Don't be tempted to fill all that space with stuff - you have a weight limit. (Weight of caravan + weight of stuff).
The Caravan Club and Camping & Caravanning Club both have oodles of information including matching cars to caravans. If you join and then go on holiday on a club site you'll save your membership fee in one visit.
If you get a motor mover, you'll need to deduct the weight of it from weight of stuff.
Load heavy items low down and over the axle(s).
Twin axle caravans are more stable on the road than single axles. BUT you need to pitch them with your car (unlike single axles which are fairly easy to manoeuvre off the car).
In the nearside lane lorries make ridges in the tarmac. These are wider than your caravan. In the dry it doesn't make much difference. In the wet it feels rather odd, as if your caravan is squirming around behind you. Try to get one set of wheels into one rut, it will feel better.
If you go off line make long, slow corrections. Don't snatch at the steering wheel.
When big vehicles overtake you, you get this funny feeling almost like you are being 'sucked' across into the side of the coach/lorry. Keeping to the left of the lane helps, but otherwise just hold on, it will pass. Coaches (particularly National Express) thunder past very fast, very close. The draft from them can be quite unnerving, seems worse in the wet.
I prefer a caravan with a front and back window so I can see through it to see what's behind. I use mirrors too, but like having the rear view.
Water is really really heavy. Take a bit in your toilet flush and a bit for a cup of tea, but not gallons. It's heavy and it swooshes around so magnifies movement. It's freely available everywhere (certainly in the UK anyway) so no need to take it for a ride.
I used to tow with a car and found crosswinds and passing vehicles affected me, now I tow with a big 4x4, ain't nuthin' bothering me now. The fuel consumption is the same whether I have the caravan or not. Plus I don't get stuck on wet grass.
Be prepared for other road users' stupid moves. Some drivers will do ANYTHING to get past a caravan. I like to leave extra braking distance, but inevitably some **** in a Golf will come screaming past, anchor up, and duck into the space. Oh well.
Oh, reversing onto a pitch. Take a breath, take your time. If you are really unsure speak to the Site Assistant or Manager, they will usually come and help you. (You can sometimes cheat by finding a pitch you can drive onto).
Anyhoo, caravanning is ace. So enjoy. If you think I can help with any other advice let me know.
Good post that karinofnine
Yep, good post.
Don't be tempted to fill all that space with stuff - you have a weight limit
Yes, and even with new vans this is only about 130kg ish which is very quickly eaten up. You've not got much left after food, bedding, clothes, never mind an awning or bikes.
On the subject of bikes, get a roof rack if your van is in any way tidy. It is NOT possible to carry them in the van without them beating up the insides. The inside of the van when driving is a more violent place than you'll ever know!
Why thank you geoffj 😀
For bikes, I took a cupboard out of my caravan, I screwed some bike-fork-holder-thingies onto the wall (strengthened first because caravan walls are hollow) and my bikes travel that way. I'll try to sort an image out, but I'm at work now. Of course you may not wish to mutilate your caravan in this way !
[img] 
[/img]
bought ours this year after 10 years of tenting, £1600 superb.
I took a cupboard out of my caravan
Well yeah, that would probably work for you and your 24 foot van 🙂
The bit I live in is only 19' the rest is A frame and front locker.
All this talk of caravanning has got me thinking! Any tips for getting a tow-bar fitted and approximate cost?
www.towbarexpress.co.uk, they're great.
If you have a modern car there's the option of expensive electrics, these link in with the ECU and remove the need for an annoying indicator beep, and also allow your car's ESP to control trailer snaking too, so it's a safety thing.
Thanks Molgrips - its a 2009 320D. Just looking at Gumtree - some second hand jobbies that seem to offer a lot of 'stuff' for the money. I really must get some work done instead!
eBay is a good place, loads on there.
2 berths are quite a lot cheaper, and there are loads around with all the toys.
Your kerb weight is 1495kg which is decent enough, you will be fine with an older van typically, new ones are heavier so you might be on the limit with some of them. The old rule of thumb is 85% of kerb weight but that can be stretched maybe to 100% with modern kit.
Lots to look out for with old vans.. post on this thread when you find some and we'll offer opinions 🙂
I'll need a 4 berth as I will have to take MrsG and the kids. Bunk-beds would be great too!
The more I look, the more I'm finding it easier to justify - we must have spend a fair few £££s on cottage holidays in the UK since the children were born. Each holiday preceded with ridiculous stress levels: hunting for an available cottage in the right place (that we can afford) as we've left it to the last minute AGAIN. 😀
Got our first caravan this year as well and we love it. Our boys are 2 and 5 and it's a great adventure for them. Doesn't matter if we're 30 minutes up the road or down at the coast, it's a break from the normal routine.
We bought an older 5 berth model to start with to see how we got on but must admit I'm already thinking about what we'll upgrade to 🙂
Helps that my old man has had his own caravan maintenance and repair business for the last 20 odd years as well....
If you're thinking of buying an older 'van get yourself one of these
[img] 
[/img]
www.amazon.co.uk/Brennenstuhl-moisture-detector-determine-materials/dp/B003CSNV2Q
And learn where to poke it! 😯
I reckon a caravan would work out very well compared to cottages, in cost terms. And it's really easy to find campsites on the whole, you often don't need to book if you know where to go.
You get to stay on little farms in the middle of the mountains for £15/night, with three other families, and still cook your own food using your own stuff. It's great 🙂
It's well documented that I love my caravan, but can anyone come on and justify the merits of trailer tents?
Seems like the worst of both worlds to me, however, I'm willing to be proved wrong.
Only thing I can think of is fuel economy.
Whilst we're on the subject (thanks to me) what are you lot getting in terms of MPG? And in what car?
Passat 2.0 TDI auto gives 55-60 on a motorway run solo, 28-32 towing. Seems to depend on wind conditions more than anything else, although A roads are definitely at the lower end of that range and motorways at the top.
Passat 2.0 TDI auto gives 55-60 on a motorway run solo,[b] 28-32 towing.[/b]
That doesn't sound very good, I've been looking for a way of doing some touring without destroying the planet and it can't be good planet with so many caravans on the road. I guess I'll stick to the tent.
Had a 2.5l td Ford Ranger pick-up (140bhp, chipped to 170bhp) and around 2.1 tonne with hardtop/tools, which did around 30-32mpg and 22mpg towing a 1700kg caravan.
Now have a Nissan Navara 2.5l td (190bhp) and around 2.3 tonne, which does around 30-32mpg and 22-24mpg towing the same van. Not too bad considering a 4t gtw, I suppose.
[quote=molgrips ]Only thing I can think of is fuel economy.
Whilst we're on the subject (thanks to me) what are you lot getting in terms of MPG? And in what car?
Passat 2.0 TDI auto gives 55-60 on a motorway run solo, 28-32 towing. Seems to depend on wind conditions more than anything else, although A roads are definitely at the lower end of that range and motorways at the top.
Volvo V50 1.8 petrol - we don't do many miles, around 6k per year, so can't really justify a diesel, especially as most of those miles are trips of 10 - 20 miles max.
We get around 37-40 mpg average, that goes down to 28-29 when towing. I find rather than wind, it's my foot that makes the difference. Best MPG I ever got was 30 mpg in the 1.6 Octavia, when towing from Braemar to Aviemore via the Glenshee pass down to Pitlochry and up the A9. I reckon it's because I was able to maintain a pretty constant speed, and I wasn't hammering the engine, I was just cruising. If I keep it around 54 mph I get much better economy than pushing it to 60mph
will put up a pic of the outfit later
molgrips - MemberPassat 2.0 TDI auto gives 55-60 on a motorway run solo, [b]28-32 towing[/b].
Does nobody care about the environment? Not even a tinsy bit?
You could get a tent 😉
I use my focus 1.6 tdci estate.. never had a problem even on steep hills. Hammers the fuel economy mind but even towing it does more than my old Terrano 4x4 did 24/7.
Couple of old pics here - before we changed cars. Annoyingly, haven't got a pic of the new outfit yet!
Invercoe campsite, looking up towards Glencoe - March 2011, last day or two of a two week trip round all five scottish ski centres. moving too much to contemplate using an awning (and we saw more than one collapse under the weight of new snow in Avemore!)
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
Presthope, near the Long Mynd, on a bikey / birding trip
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
Sat in mine at Glenmore near Aviemore. Lovely day out there - may have a pootle around the loch 8)
Does nobody care about the environment? Not even a tinsy bit?
I doubt the few hundred miles a year I do towing my van has much environmental impact in relation to the other 40,000 I do not towing my van.
Right, the environment and my car.
My car is a 4x4, it weighs 3.08 metric tons. It does about 6 - 6.5 miles to a litre. It doesn't seem to matter whether I tow or not, the only thing that makes the fuel consumption drop is going very fast.
Before anyone gets excited... I live in my caravan, it takes up less space than a house, uses less resources to heat/cool it, build it, repair it, clean it, plus it was second hand. I travel to work by bicycle, sometimes on foot/train. I buy local food, locally, where possible and I don't eat meat, I recycle, I wear a jumper when it's cold (rather than banging the heating up full blast), I have flown on an aeroplane once since 1990, and in fact in my whole life (57 years old this month) eight times. I don't buy sugarsnap peas airlifted from Lagos in January, or strawberries flown in from wherever in December. I buy second hand if feasible, I do not throw things away because they are unfashionable, I either use them until they die then recycle or give them to charity.
The government of this country, wishing to increase their tax revenue, has exaggerated the impact of car emissions on the environment. Cars are not solely, or even mostly, responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.
RANT OVER 🙂
Karin, I do most of those things PLUS I drive a more economical car. They aren't exclusive!
Top #1 fail in environmental justification. The environment doesn't care what else you. Or whether or not you can justify it. Cut everywhere you can. Every kg of CO2 is the same, makes no difference if it's the only one you emit that day.
RANT OVER!
(Please not, this is an objective post not a personal one, I am not claiming to be greener than anyone else, I'm about middling at best.)