Towing weight of a caravan

[Vulcan190+]

I caravanned for over 20 years and my father in law still does and is a c&c club member rallying every weekend.
It's not rocket science... work out the weights and you've cracked it.

The 85% rule is a guideline but most seasoned 'vanners use it as a gospel. Just make sure the fully laden weight of the van doesn't exceed 85% of the weight of the car you, can exceed it but at your own risk. I would advise not to until you have experience of the weight of the whole unit.

Load the van over the axle(s) with heavy stuff and don't carry what you don't need to. Keep everything low down.
I can't find a definitive weight on the net for that van and I would suggest a walk into your local caravan dealer and just ask him whether he thinks it matches, but I'm sure that the 75 is heavy enough.
This is why most experienced caravanners buy a massive 4x4 just to be sure.

You MUST have a stabiliser, without it you risk a snake, I have been there with a bad snake on; and it's only luck that the whole unit did not turn over, brown trousers and 10mph onwards from there....

Moving the whole unit:
Think about the length of the unit, most people just drive the front wheels and can scrape the wings of a Ford Ka turning a corner. Move your perception outwards to the end (back) of the trailer and always work from that rather than your normal steering of the car.
Reversing is a huge thing and newbies will pile it.. end of.. as the unit moves steer and WATCH it when it starts to go follow it with the steering and correct it, now this will be opposite to what you expect so if you can, find a big empty space and practice.

Caravanning is a hobby and an art, embrace it and enjoy it and poopoo the Clarksonites who hate vans, we don't hold up anyone, big trucks, coaches do that, we travel at the proper speed with cars that can do it.
Be proud as a part of today's British society who want a decent holiday inside their own country and want to use their own car to tow their own home from home with them.

EDIT: I'm sitting here at 1.15 am thinking..I want another van.. this thread has probably cost me 12k over the next few weeks..doh!! Oh how I hate nostalgia.. it's so expensive.

[black olive]

from all the useful info given on here we could probaly do with a caravanners sub forum !!

We've recently taken the plunge and bough a 2000 4 berth Abbey with a large end washroom- all the kit included ( bereavement sale)

Havent been away yet- am still washing, polishing, and going through all the kit to see what goes where. this weekend will be sterilising the water and drainage systems and checking the wather heater out ( had been drained off for the winter), but am looking forward to the first outing.

found towing very mentally draining for the first few mile s!!

[windrush]

A caravanning section has all ready been ask for and turned down

[GrahamP]

One point that hasn't been mentioned yet regarding nose weight and getting it right, is the fact that as your towing speed increases above 40 mph the front of the caravan rises due to the air pressure on the front of the van.
That is why you need sufficient nose weight to start with to counteract this lightening of the the cars back end and why snaking starts to kick in above this speed.

[Hampton Caught]

Originally Posted by black olive

from all the useful info given on here we could probaly do with a caravanners sub forum !!

Havent been away yet- am still washing, polishing, and going through all the kit to see what goes where. this weekend will be sterilising the water and drainage systems and checking the wather heater out ( had been drained off for the winter), but am looking forward to the first outing.

Don't forget to do the obvious, safety-related things such as checking the trailer lights, and if you can't get the whole caravan serviced by a specialist, at least tighten the wheel nuts and check the tyre pressures, oh, and the tyres themselves. Caravan tyres can get flat spots where they are not used for months on end, so this can degrade the tyre wall. I think the Caravan Club advice is to change them every 6 years whatever the mileage.

As previously mentioned, 'Tyron' bands are an excellent idea. Have them on my 'van. They prevent the tyre coming off the rim if you have a blow-out. You can control the outfit and stop safely without parking the 'van on it's side! Money very well spent. If your second-hand van already has them, make sure the vendor passes on the very long allen-key tool, as a tyre fitter will need this to take the Tyron bands off, as and when.

Graham, very interesting point you make about the nose weight decreasing with speed. Never really thought about that.

Can we ask again about a caravanners forum? Sounds like a superb idea

Steve

[windrush]

Originally Posted by Hampton Caught

Don't forget to do the obvious, safety-related things such as checking the trailer lights, and if you can't get the whole caravan serviced by a specialist, at least tighten the wheel nuts and check the tyre pressures, oh, and the tyres themselves. Caravan tyres can get flat spots where they are not used for months on end, so this can degrade the tyre wall. I think the Caravan Club advice is to change them every 6 years whatever the mileage.

As previously mentioned, 'Tyron' bands are an excellent idea. Have them on my 'van. They prevent the tyre coming off the rim if you have a blow-out. You can control the outfit and stop safely without parking the 'van on it's side! Money very well spent. If your second-hand van already has them, make sure the vendor passes on the very long allen-key tool, as a tyre fitter will need this to take the Tyron bands off, as and when.

Graham, very interesting point you make about the nose weight decreasing with speed. Never really thought about that.

Can we ask again about a caravanners forum? Sounds like a superb idea

Steve

You can certainly ask but don't hold your breath

[apywell]

Originally Posted by Mike 25543

Hi Alan.
According to my book max towing weight for a braked trailer for 75 Diesel is 1600 kg. max nose weight is 100 kg. There is a note which says ' .. the max laden weight can be increased by 100 kg, ... and the rear axle load can be increased by 15% provided road speed is limited to a max' of 62 mph'.
As a long time caravaner I would advise stabaliser and if not fitted 'Tyreons', and join the Caravan Club.

Thanks Mike... I joined the camping and caravan club today because the site we are booked on for the Whitby festival will only take club members..... It will be our first outing.

I think what I will do is put the awning and other heavy itens on the roof rack thus increasing the weight of the car and keep the van as light as poss. I will be very careful for our first trip.

[apywell]

Originally Posted by Vulcan190+

I caravanned for over 20 years and my father in law still does and is a c&c club member rallying every weekend.
It's not rocket science... work out the weights and you've cracked it.

The 85% rule is a guideline but most seasoned 'vanners use it as a gospel. Just make sure the fully laden weight of the van doesn't exceed 85% of the weight of the car you, can exceed it but at your own risk. I would advise not to until you have experience of the weight of the whole unit.

Load the van over the axle(s) with heavy stuff and don't carry what you don't need to. Keep everything low down.
I can't find a definitive weight on the net for that van and I would suggest a walk into your local caravan dealer and just ask him whether he thinks it matches, but I'm sure that the 75 is heavy enough.
This is why most experienced caravanners buy a massive 4x4 just to be sure.

You MUST have a stabiliser, without it you risk a snake, I have been there with a bad snake on; and it's only luck that the whole unit did not turn over, brown trousers and 10mph onwards from there....

Moving the whole unit:
Think about the length of the unit, most people just drive the front wheels and can scrape the wings of a Ford Ka turning a corner. Move your perception outwards to the end (back) of the trailer and always work from that rather than your normal steering of the car.
Reversing is a huge thing and newbies will pile it.. end of.. as the unit moves steer and WATCH it when it starts to go follow it with the steering and correct it, now this will be opposite to what you expect so if you can, find a big empty space and practice.

Caravanning is a hobby and an art, embrace it and enjoy it and poopoo the Clarksonites who hate vans, we don't hold up anyone, big trucks, coaches do that, we travel at the proper speed with cars that can do it.
Be proud as a part of today's British society who want a decent holiday inside their own country and want to use their own car to tow their own home from home with them.

EDIT: I'm sitting here at 1.15 am thinking..I want another van.. this thread has probably cost me 12k over the next few weeks..doh!! Oh how I hate nostalgia.. it's so expensive.

Thanks for all your info. I have pulled a trailer all over the place full of camping stuff so i kind of know how a trailer behaves while reversing. Although i know a van is soo much wider and taller. Quite daunting really, but I know me and I am taking delivery on Sunday morning in a large country park with a very big car park, so i will have a few practices reversing etc before I get out on the open road.

I have always enjoyed holidaying in the open air in this country and have a large 6berth frame tent, but sadly the wife has had enough of tent erecting... hehehe. I'm sure we will love our first venture caravanning. At £1900 with everything included, I had to buy it!

Oh, and sorry for for your loss of 12k..... but is it?

[apywell]

Originally Posted by GrahamP

One point that hasn't been mentioned yet regarding nose weight and getting it right, is the fact that as your towing speed increases above 40 mph the front of the caravan rises due to the air pressure on the front of the van.
That is why you need sufficient nose weight to start with to counteract this lightening of the the cars back end and why snaking starts to kick in above this speed.

Oh dear, now it seems complicated.... eeek!

[apywell]

Originally Posted by Hampton Caught

Don't forget to do the obvious, safety-related things such as checking the trailer lights, and if you can't get the whole caravan serviced by a specialist, at least tighten the wheel nuts and check the tyre pressures, oh, and the tyres themselves. Caravan tyres can get flat spots where they are not used for months on end, so this can degrade the tyre wall. I think the Caravan Club advice is to change them every 6 years whatever the mileage.

As previously mentioned, 'Tyron' bands are an excellent idea. Have them on my 'van. They prevent the tyre coming off the rim if you have a blow-out. You can control the outfit and stop safely without parking the 'van on it's side! Money very well spent. If your second-hand van already has them, make sure the vendor passes on the very long allen-key tool, as a tyre fitter will need this to take the Tyron bands off, as and when.

Graham, very interesting point you make about the nose weight decreasing with speed. Never really thought about that.

Can we ask again about a caravanners forum? Sounds like a superb idea

Steve

I have spoken to the guy i'm buying it off tonight and he says he baught it in March this year from a reputable dealer and it was serviced before he took delivery. So sounds good!