What are people towing with a Rover 75

[sn1958]

Originally Posted by 7T5

I would guess that near the max the car is nearing its limits. Good move getting something bigger. My van is nice and light for my 75, 950 from memory no more and its a dream to tow.

In hindsight should of stuck to my original 1400 max weight, the end bathroom, fixed bed layout was the one that sold the other half, who was unconvinced of getting a caravan. I knew it was pushing it on the weights, but the deal was done and the caravan cost a lot more than my 75 is worth, so changing the car was the only sensible option especially as Lucy is now totally converted to caravanning and cant wait to get away.
I could of stuck with the 75 but it would of wrecked the clutch in no time and there was always the chance if everything stacked up the wrong way that the caravan could of taken the car with the way it stacked up with weights. So safer all round getting something bigger.
Off away with it again this weekend for 3 nights

[Spenrex]

Nothing if I can't get my fan and alternator sorted before I'm supposed to be going to France in 3 weeks

[bikerdude666]

Originally Posted by sn1958

Well the Rover 75 Tourer has pulled the Caravan on a couple of outings, performed well but struggled a bit with the weight at times, and on the motorway it just felt like the tail was wagging the dog. Our replacement tow car has been picked up now, went for an early release Discovery Sport, so the Rover 75 has had its final clean this week and will soon be for sale.


First outing with the Caravan and Rover 75


It made it north of the border


The caravan is just that bit too big for the Tourer to handle

Is that one of those air awning's?

[sn1958]

Originally Posted by bikerdude666

Is that one of those air awning's?

It is indeed, its a Kampa Air Pro 390, been very impressed with it so far, put it up by myself in 30 minutes with no problems (this was first time out with the caravan and awning) ... Really sturdy and easy to transport and carry, went for the air type to keep weights down ...
We are looking to get a smaller one for shorter stays, we need something to separate the outside from the caravan with the dogs in wet weather ...

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by sn1958

It is indeed, its a Kampa Air Pro 390, been very impressed with it so far, put it up by myself in 30 minutes with no problems (this was first time out with the caravan and awning) ... Really sturdy and easy to transport and carry, went for the air type to keep weights down ...
We are looking to get a smaller one for shorter stays, we need something to separate the outside from the caravan with the dogs in wet weather ...

I have always assumed the air type were heavier than the 'fishing pole' frame type..

I caravanned 20 years without an awning - never saw the need for one, but realised just how much of a difference they make when I got our first 30 years ago. For most of that time we had a full size awning, but as we got older I found it quite hard work. Now we have a double porch one, which is perfect - I can put that up on my own. I also have a full size one, bought before I realised the convenience of a porch, which is stored away and we never used.

[bikerdude666]

Originally Posted by sn1958

It is indeed, its a Kampa Air Pro 390, been very impressed with it so far, put it up by myself in 30 minutes with no problems (this was first time out with the caravan and awning) ... Really sturdy and easy to transport and carry, went for the air type to keep weights down ...
We are looking to get a smaller one for shorter stays, we need something to separate the outside from the caravan with the dogs in wet weather ...

Sounds good, I've been looking at them on eBay, trying to pick one up 2nd hand as I can't justify the cost of a new one, just missed out on one locally a few day ago as I forgot to up my bid in the morning and it finished while I was at work. That was an Air Pro 390 as well. How do they fit to the caravan? Not had to put up an awning since I was a kid helping my Dad and that was a pain as it was the old heavy metal poles that slid together and then had massive Dalek like suckers that stuck to the caravan.

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by bikerdude666

Not had to put up an awning since I was a kid helping my Dad and that was a pain as it was the old heavy metal poles that slid together and then had massive Dalek like suckers that stuck to the caravan.

They have an awning bead along the top, which slides into the awning rail like a traditional awning, but unlike a traditional awning - the vertical sides where awning meets caravan wall, is not attached to the caravan at all.

For the sides some just hand down, pulled taught to the ground with pegs. My awning has a vertical pocket stuffed with a light foam of some sort and a vertical alloy pole to which the vertical awning part can then be tied.

Mine is a 290 so 2 sections, three folding elasticated light weight 'fishing poles' push into pockets. These form a curved hoop to brace the awning from the awning rail down to the ground at the farthest side away from the caravan. These 'fishing poles' are what have been replaced by blow up air pockets, in the air versions.

My awing also uses two alloy roof poles which fit front to back, between the above hoops give extra support.

Most of these porch awnings, because of not having enough slope off the roof, seem prone to collecting water in heavy rain - especially if the porch is on higher ground than the van. I have also heard that the air version is rather better in this respect, because if weight of water does build up - the weight causes the awning to dip down to release it.

One thing to watch out for, is to measure and buy a porch awning where the vertical end, will avoid crossing over a window. Make sure it will fit ahead of or behind a window.

With kids and dogs etc. a full size awning was a real bonus when on a site for two weeks, for the massive extra space. Down side was the work involved putting it up/down, the weight of carrying it and the fact it only fit one size of caravan, plus the cost.

For us the porch awning now wins all round - lighter, cheaper, easy to erect and it will fit most caravans.

[Georgies Dad]

We have a small Kampa 260 Air pro,fantastic and easy to put up,this is now the 2nd season with so only time will tell if they are made to last.

[sn1958]

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

I have always assumed the air type were heavier than the 'fishing pole' frame type..

I caravanned 20 years without an awning - never saw the need for one, but realised just how much of a difference they make when I got our first 30 years ago. For most of that time we had a full size awning, but as we got older I found it quite hard work. Now we have a double porch one, which is perfect - I can put that up on my own. I also have a full size one, bought before I realised the convenience of a porch, which is stored away and we never used.

The air one would be heavier than the lightweight carbon type poles, but lighter than the traditional poles, the 390 we have is just over 23Kg .. I have just this week purchased a Air Pro 200(2 metre) for shorter stays and that is 16Kg.. Once its up and the air beams pumped up to the correct pressure they are rock solid, i have head a few people saying some have been popping in high temperatures, we haven't had an issue yet .. Touch wood ...

[sn1958]

Originally Posted by bikerdude666

Sounds good, I've been looking at them on eBay, trying to pick one up 2nd hand as I can't justify the cost of a new one, just missed out on one locally a few day ago as I forgot to up my bid in the morning and it finished while I was at work. That was an Air Pro 390 as well. How do they fit to the caravan? Not had to put up an awning since I was a kid helping my Dad and that was a pain as it was the old heavy metal poles that slid together and then had massive Dalek like suckers that stuck to the caravan.

As Harry said they slide in the awning rail like a traditional awning, you then just peg the vertical nearest the van, then inflate and it all pops up into shape, the stirrup pump you get with them does it in a few minutes (all newer ones have cross linked air beams so you only inflate from one point, you can isolate sections with valves in case of punctures etc) once its inflated you just peg it out round the bottom, then peg out the guy ropes ... The sides can have poles to keep them close to the van or the Kampa ones have a limpet suction system you can use that stick to smooth sided vans ... All in all been very impressed with ours ...

So much so we just purchased the smaller 200 for short weekend stays ...