Thinking about first Van

[MrDoodles]

[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!

[A19_Graham]

So something like this, may me more suitable then

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-BERTH-CA...item27f4fda462

Than perhaps my first choice, which was

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3216263709...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT


Also spotted this, but a little further away, and maybe a little out of budget

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3314235293...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[uk_dave&gill]

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%!

[uk_dave&gill]

Originally Posted by A19_Graham

So something like this, may me more suitable then

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-BERTH-CA...item27f4fda462

Than perhaps my first choice, which was

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3216263709...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT


Also spotted this, but a little further away, and maybe a little out of budget

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3314235293...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

They all look like decent vans, but is your budget around the mark of the first one, or the latter pair?

With reference to twin vs single axle. Twins will weigh more and generally be larger, and although you'll find that they should be more stable when towing, they can also be trickier to maneouvre when reversing. That said, they can also be less likely to suddenly dart off course when going backwards, which some people find a bonus.

Regarding the stats I posted above from the Caravan Match, out of interest, our Rover Tourer had these figures

Kerbweight ratio: 96%
Towing limit ratio: 93%
Gross train weight ratio: 100%
BHP per ton : 40

On the whole, it felt fine, but then I have a good few years of caravan towing experience, plus a Class One HGV licence. There were occasions when it struggled, in particular pulling away from lights uphill! We've had reason to buy a 4x4 so have retired the Rover from towing duties and now have figures as follows

Kerbweight ratio: 77%
Towing limit ratio: 43%
Gross train weight ratio: 65%
BHP per ton : 45

I'd like a little more BHP per ton, but otherwise, these are the sort of figures that make for relaxed towing! You can get these with your car of course, but need to make the right choice of van.

I'd also suggest having a go at reversing before you commit, as if you are terrible at it, you'll probably need a motor mover and that'll cut into your payload allowance by 100kg or so!

[A19_Graham]

The budget is about 5k,

I notice the one in Carlisle (the last one) has a motor mover.

I will be seeking some sort of training none the less, and I don't have any problem reversing (a car anyway

I want something big enough and clean enough (and inviting) that we will actually use it tbh, looked at smaller, older vans and I know we would put off going away in them.

[A19_Graham]

Oh and thanks for all the advice and pointers

Had a few campers in the past, but never even towed a trailer before.

Drive a Super LWB Iveco at work sometimes, and drive my LWB Trafic every day.

[uk_dave&gill]

Originally Posted by A19_Graham

I want something big enough and clean enough (and inviting) that we will actually use it tbh, looked at smaller, older vans and I know we would put off going away in them.

Makes sense! Ours is a four berth but we only ever use it for the two of us. Our budget crept up when we started looking, but there's lots out there, so I'm sure you'll find something to suit. Might be an idea to go to some local dealers just to have a look at what is available, even if you then buy whatever you fall for somewhere else

[A19_Graham]

There'll only be the 2 of us too

So what is the max weight I should be aiming for?

And I plan a trip to some of the local dealers shortly

[uk_dave&gill]

Your car weighs 1570kg so 85% would be 1334kg

Of course, 85% ratio is recommended only, so you can go to 1600kg, but I'd not personally go over 1500kg. Our van is MIRO 1296kg and MTPLM 1495kg, and as I've mentioned, on occasion the Rover did struggle a little

HTH

[A19_Graham]

Thanks Dave,

So this would be ok?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3314235293...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT