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

MrDoodles · 27th December 2014, 08:28

The maximum towing weight for your car is 1,650 Kg (with a braked trailer)

However, the caravan club recommend that you go to 85% of the maximum towing capacity of the car, so personally, I'd look for something around 1,400 Kg!

The unladen weight of your car will vary between 1,585 and 1,715 Kg (depending on spec) so you don't have to worry about the 3,500 Kg maximum train weight rule!

Tin Tent · 27th December 2014, 12:35

I tow a 1480kg max weight van with my cdt tourer thats as heavy as i would go and thats about 92%.

uk_dave&gill · 27th December 2014, 13:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDoodles

The maximum towing weight for your car is 1,650 Kg

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

Therefore

Quote:

Originally Posted by A19_Graham

This is the Blurb :-

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

you'd be 31kg over. You couldn't get around this with not loading anything into the van either, as even if you ran it at it's unladen weight (or MRO - Mass in Running Order) because it can go to 1631 kg MTPLM (Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass) this is the weight you have to work to. Annoying, but there it is. A quick Google will confirm this with results like this

A lighter van would perhaps be a better first one! Have a look at Lunar's - good caravans (we have one!) and often lighter than some of the alternatives

uk_dave&gill · 27th December 2014, 14:08

Just had a look and the van you mention is a twin-axle right? Probably best to get a single axle to start with, save a bit of weight!

Just run the car/van combo through the Caravan Club matching service for you and got this:-

Kerbweight ratio: 103%
The caravan's laden weight is more than the car's kerb weight. There is significant risk of stability problems, especially at higher speed. The Police may consider this combination unroadworthy, and it is illegal for drivers with a standard car licence issued since 1st January 1997.

Towing limit ratio: 102%
The caravan's laden weight is over the car's towing limit, which the Police may consider unroadworthy and which may invalidate the car’s insurance. It is not usually practical to lightly load the caravan to mitigate this issue.

Gross train weight ratio: 105%
We do not have a gross train weight figure for this car. There is significant risk of the car’s GTW being exceeded if both car and caravan are heavily laden, as some car makers define GTW as less than the sum of the car and the caravan’s fully laden weights, particularly for cars with more than 5 seats. To avoid exceeding this legal limit, we advise you to check the car’s GTW suitability by referring to the car retailer or maker (or the weight plate on the car, if available).

BHP per ton : 51
The car’s engine power should be fine to safely tow this caravan.

You'd be OK with the final part (BHP) but that's it I'm afraid!

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, 14:08	#10
uk_dave&gill This is my second home .. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Town Posts: 4,166 Thanks: 1 Thanked 189 Times in 105 Posts	Just had a look and the van you mention is a twin-axle right? Probably best to get a single axle to start with, save a bit of weight! Just run the car/van combo through the Caravan Club matching service for you and got this:- Kerbweight ratio: 103% The caravan's laden weight is more than the car's kerb weight. There is significant risk of stability problems, especially at higher speed. The Police may consider this combination unroadworthy, and it is illegal for drivers with a standard car licence issued since 1st January 1997. Towing limit ratio: 102% The caravan's laden weight is over the car's towing limit, which the Police may consider unroadworthy and which may invalidate the car’s insurance. It is not usually practical to lightly load the caravan to mitigate this issue. Gross train weight ratio: 105% We do not have a gross train weight figure for this car. There is significant risk of the car’s GTW being exceeded if both car and caravan are heavily laden, as some car makers define GTW as less than the sum of the car and the caravan’s fully laden weights, particularly for cars with more than 5 seats. To avoid exceeding this legal limit, we advise you to check the car’s GTW suitability by referring to the car retailer or maker (or the weight plate on the car, if available). BHP per ton : 51 The car’s engine power should be fine to safely tow this caravan. You'd be OK with the final part (BHP) but that's it I'm afraid! __________________ Dave

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, 08:28	#7
MrDoodles Banned MG ZT+ V6 190 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Spalding Posts: 13,245 Thanks: 369 Thanked 1,196 Times in 818 Posts	The maximum towing weight for your car is 1,650 Kg (with a braked trailer) However, the caravan club recommend that you go to 85% of the maximum towing capacity of the car, so personally, I'd look for something around 1,400 Kg! The unladen weight of your car will vary between 1,585 and 1,715 Kg (depending on spec) so you don't have to worry about the 3,500 Kg maximum train weight rule!

27th December 2014, 12:35	#8
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	I tow a 1480kg max weight van with my cdt tourer thats as heavy as i would go and thats about 92%.