Thinking about first Van

A19_Graham · 26th December 2014, 22:21

Hi All,

Thinking about getting a van, which will be my first.

Have my eyes on a 2003 "swift conqueror 580 luxury"

My first question, would this be fine as a first van?

Second Question, would my 180 zt-t be upto the job

Thirdly, How do I check if I can tow a caravan or not (Passed in feb 2002)

And finally, would it be worth having a towing course etc....

Also what sort of insurances etc do you need with a caravan?

Thanks in advance.

Graham

fraz59 · 26th December 2014, 22:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by A19_Graham

Hi All,

Thinking about getting a van, which will be my first.

Have my eyes on a 2003 "swift conqueror 580 luxury"

My first question, would this be fine as a first van?

depends what you wish to do with the van, and what you like

Quote:

Originally Posted by A19_Graham

Second Question, would my 180 zt-t be upto the job

would seem so http://www.uktow.com/towing%20capaci...e=MG&model1=ZT 160

Quote:

Originally Posted by A19_Graham

Thirdly, How do I check if I can tow a caravan or not (Passed in feb 2002)

would seem you will need to take a test

https://www.gov.uk/towing-rules

Quote:

Originally Posted by A19_Graham

And finally, would it be worth having a towing course etc....

I would say since you need to take the test, then that will be part of the test as well, if not would be worth it anyway

Quote:

Originally Posted by A19_Graham

Also what sort of insurances etc do you need with a caravan?

lots of places do insurance, same as car insurance really but with contents for all the stuff in the van ...should be around £20>£30 for the year

Thanks in advance.

Graham[/QUOTE]

A19_Graham · 26th December 2014, 22:49

Thanks for the speedy response

I best start looking at tests etc......

Wasn't sure if it was too big for a starter, but it ticks all the boxes

A19_Graham · 26th December 2014, 22:53

I think after checking I can tow as long as the combined weight is no more than 3500kg,

Think the van is 1600 max, so Ill need to work out the weight of the Car and see if it adds up.

I think you are right though, training at least would be a worthy exercise.

Tin Tent · 26th December 2014, 23:38

[QUOTE=A19_Graham;1874480]I think after checking I can tow as long as the combined weight is no more than 3500kg,

Think the van is 1600 max, so Ill need to work out the weight of the Car and see if it adds up.

I think you are right though, training at least would be a worthy exercise.[/QUOT

I would say 1600kg is too heavy it's recommended that caravan to car ratio should ideally be no more than 85% thats not the law just a rule of thumb and never heaver than car. Lots of lighter vans about just need to find a dry one and layout that suits you. Try E&L for insurance found them ok.

A19_Graham · 27th December 2014, 01:15

[QUOTE=Tin Tent;1874485]

Quote:

Originally Posted by A19_Graham

I think after checking I can tow as long as the combined weight is no more than 3500kg,

Think the van is 1600 max, so Ill need to work out the weight of the Car and see if it adds up.

I think you are right though, training at least would be a worthy exercise.[/QUOT

I would say 1600kg is too heavy it's recommended that caravan to car ratio should ideally be no more than 85% thats not the law just a rule of thumb and never heaver than car. Lots of lighter vans about just need to find a dry one and layout that suits you. Try E&L for insurance found them ok.

This is the Blurb :-

Length 24ft (with hitch)
Width 7ft
1631kg max
1352kg unladen

Tin Tent · 27th December 2014, 21:17

Have to have a re think when my ins is due with E&L, must say i had no problems with a claim i had in 2009 hope i can last until August when i'm due for renewal.

MrDoodles · 27th December 2014, 14:24

[QUOTE=uk_dave&gill;1874734]Pretty sure the max towing weight is 1600 kg (was sure anyway, but this would suggest the same). Even the 260's top out at 1600 kg

QUOTE]

Well I'm out at the moment, but when I checked my handbook this morning, it did quote 1,650 Kg for a Tourer, so will check again when I get home!

uk_dave&gill · 27th December 2014, 14:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDoodles

Well I'm out at the moment, but when I checked my handbook this morning, it did quote 1,650 Kg for a Tourer, so will check again when I get home!

I did say "pretty sure" as I never like to state something 100% unless I am 100%!

Dorset Bob · 27th December 2014, 23:22

Rather than using a ZT to tow a caravan, you could always just get a motorhome.

26th December 2014, 22:21	#1
A19_Graham I really should get out more....... Land Rover Freelander 2 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hartlepool Posts: 2,454 Thanks: 3,124 Thanked 722 Times in 482 Posts	Thinking about first Van Hi All, Thinking about getting a van, which will be my first. Have my eyes on a 2003 "swift conqueror 580 luxury" My first question, would this be fine as a first van? Second Question, would my 180 zt-t be upto the job Thirdly, How do I check if I can tow a caravan or not (Passed in feb 2002) And finally, would it be worth having a towing course etc.... Also what sort of insurances etc do you need with a caravan? Thanks in advance. Graham

26th December 2014, 23:38	#5
Tin Tent Avid contributor rover 75 tourer Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Stourport On Severn Worcestershire Posts: 151 Thanks: 42 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	[QUOTE=A19_Graham;1874480]I think after checking I can tow as long as the combined weight is no more than 3500kg, Think the van is 1600 max, so Ill need to work out the weight of the Car and see if it adds up. I think you are right though, training at least would be a worthy exercise.[/QUOT I would say 1600kg is too heavy it's recommended that caravan to car ratio should ideally be no more than 85% thats not the law just a rule of thumb and never heaver than car. Lots of lighter vans about just need to find a dry one and layout that suits you. Try E&L for insurance found them ok. Last edited by Tin Tent; 26th December 2014 at 23:45..

27th December 2014, 23:22	#10
Dorset Bob Senior Citizen Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur SE,Chrysler 300C,124 Spider, Daytona 955i,Honda XL250 & Royal Enfield 650GT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Kingdom of Wessex Posts: 6,976 Thanks: 2,391 Thanked 2,685 Times in 1,686 Posts	Rather than using a ZT to tow a caravan, you could always just get a motorhome. __________________ Let the good times roll............

26th December 2014, 22:49	#3
A19_Graham I really should get out more....... Land Rover Freelander 2 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hartlepool Posts: 2,454 Thanks: 3,124 Thanked 722 Times in 482 Posts	Thanks for the speedy response I best start looking at tests etc...... Wasn't sure if it was too big for a starter, but it ticks all the boxes

26th December 2014, 22:53	#4
A19_Graham I really should get out more....... Land Rover Freelander 2 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hartlepool Posts: 2,454 Thanks: 3,124 Thanked 722 Times in 482 Posts	I think after checking I can tow as long as the combined weight is no more than 3500kg, Think the van is 1600 max, so Ill need to work out the weight of the Car and see if it adds up. I think you are right though, training at least would be a worthy exercise.

27th December 2014, 21:17	#7
Tin Tent Avid contributor rover 75 tourer Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Stourport On Severn Worcestershire Posts: 151 Thanks: 42 Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts	Have to have a re think when my ins is due with E&L, must say i had no problems with a claim i had in 2009 hope i can last until August when i'm due for renewal.

27th December 2014, 14:24	#8
MrDoodles Banned MG ZT+ V6 190 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Spalding Posts: 13,245 Thanks: 369 Thanked 1,196 Times in 818 Posts	[QUOTE=uk_dave&gill;1874734]Pretty sure the max towing weight is 1600 kg (was sure anyway, but this would suggest the same). Even the 260's top out at 1600 kg QUOTE] Well I'm out at the moment, but when I checked my handbook this morning, it did quote 1,650 Kg for a Tourer, so will check again when I get home!