Buying caravan

[tenerifemike]

Hiya guys,

I am going to buy a small 4 berth caravan shortly and I know that there are some caravaners amongst you. I would like some advice on the following please.

1. What is the best type of towbar to buy
2. What would the price be roughly
3. Are they easy to fit
4. Is my car powerful enough to tow it. 1.8 Connoiseur SE T
5. Does anybody have one that they no longer use and are willing to sell
it.

Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks


Mike

[ragitty]

Here are the kerb weights for most makes of vehicle, if you stay at the 85% car to caravan ratio you will be able to cope ok.. hope this helps.

http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/kerbweights.htm

[tenerifemike]

Thanks Raggity.



Mike

[tenerifemike]

Sorry Ragitty


Mike

[ragitty]

that's ok just hope the info was helpful ;)

[tenerifemike]

It is excellent information.

Thanks Lee



Mike

[Dave Goody]

Here are the kerb weights for most makes of vehicle, if you stay at the 85% car to caravan ratio you will be able to cope ok.. hope this helps.

http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/kerbweights.htm

Remember the 85% is the caravan loaded with all your camping gear +crates of wine etc. Not the kerbweight of the van unloaded:D

[eamon38]

Hiya guys,

I am going to buy a small 4 berth caravan shortly and I know that there are some caravaners amongst you. I would like some advice on the following please.

1. What is the best type of towbar to buy
2. What would the price be roughly
3. Are they easy to fit
4. Is my car powerful enough to tow it. 1.8 Connoiseur SE T
5. Does anybody have one that they no longer use and are willing to sell
it.

Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks


Mike
A "Swan neck" Tow bar will look better than most and you can get some that the Swan Neck is detachable for those cold winter months when the only thing it is good for is for hitting your shin!!
More expensive though.Why not try a local scrap yard or e-bay?
New price for any thing worth its salt will be around the £250 up mark then fitting.You need to remove the bumper and scrap the rear alloy reinforcing bar.A good tow bar will screw into the existing holes in the rear panel an a hole is then needed for wires into the boot.Not the biggest job in the world...fairly self explanatory.I would suggest you get some one to do the wiring though you need a fitted into the loom to balance the extra wiring.
I made my own tow bar and have used a few extra fixing points like the back towing eye in the center.
Watch out for tow bars that you have to cut a hole in the rear bumper to fit...looks like nothing.
The wiring for a caravan also needs a secondary plug for your fridge etc which has to be run from the engine compartment to the rear?
Depending on how far you intend to transport your caravan do you really need it? A cooler box in the back can do the trick or one that plugs into the 12v in the car?
:bowdown:

[tenerifemike]

Thanks Dave and Eamon


Mike

[Dragrad]

A "Swan neck" Tow bar will look better than most and you can get some that the Swan Neck is detachable for those cold winter months when the only thing it is good for is for hitting your shin!!

I disagree... been using a towbar as a parking sensor for the last 30 years - works well, no electrics involved :D:D:getmecoat:

[tenerifemike]

Excellent advice Andrew :D:D:D:D:D




Mike

[Departed]

I wouldn't advise making your own, as you can't use it in most of Europe. I'd be surprised if it's legal in Ireland.

In the UK, on any car after about S reg, you have to use a type approved towbar. That doesn't mean it has to be made by the car manufacturer, but it does have to go through some testing and get an E number.

This was brought in through European law, which is why I'd be surprsied if Ireland doesn't have something similar.

I don't doubt that the one made is safe, and maybe even safer than an aopproved one. I'm merely commenting on what I believe the legal position is.

[2Diesels]

I disagree... been using a towbar as a parking sensor for the last 30 years - works well, no electrics involved :D:D:getmecoat:

Me too I find it to be a very effective method & without the annoying bleep the only trouble is it can cost a fortune in replacement number plates if you get caught doing it:D

[tenerifemike]

Thanks Duncan for the information.



Mike

[Dan1971]

What's your budget .. ?

Reason I ask is that my father in law is selling a 2008 Sprite 4 berth. It's never been used ! Got delivered and then sat on his drive. The holidays he wanted to go on never came to pass, and he's decided to sell it. It's got top spec, quality towing gear and an electric mover apparently worth about £1200 on it's on.

He'd likely sell it for about £8,500 against it's cost new which was £11K.

[tenerifemike]

Hiya Dan,

Not thinking of anywhere near that price range, although it would be very nice to have one like that.

We might have found a caravan locally.

Sorry hope your dad gets it sold.

Mike

[Dan1971]

Hiya Dan,

Not thinking of anywhere near that price range, although it would be very nice to have one like that.

We might have found a caravan locally.

Sorry hope your dad gets it sold.

Mike


No worries ... he's not advertised it properly so I'm sure it'll sell when he does. Just thought I'd ask. Cheers.

[Wolds_lady_2006]

My Tourer has a Witter detachable Swan Neck, fitted&supplied for £295 in 2005

[tenerifemike]

Thanks Debbie,

I have been looking at that one myself.



Mike

[eamon38]

Mike..just to let you know,I seen a tow bar on a 75 saloon in my local scrap yard in great condition,maybe I could get wiring n all,if your interested:bowdown: I could get you a price.I am in Ireland though...cant be that expensive to post?Hiya guys,

I am going to buy a small 4 berth caravan shortly and I know that there are some caravaners amongst you. I would like some advice on the following please.

1. What is the best type of towbar to buy
2. What would the price be roughly
3. Are they easy to fit
4. Is my car powerful enough to tow it. 1.8 Connoiseur SE T
5. Does anybody have one that they no longer use and are willing to sell
it.

Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks


Mike

[moonstoneboy]

Do your homework well before buying the caravan to ensure that you do buy the right one.

We bought our first one in 2001 new - 4 berth (though there are only 2 of us L shaped seating one end, table and seats that make up into bunks in the middle and an end bathroom.

Now, when you have enjoyed a bottle of wine or two, or been out to a restaurant and enjoyed a good meal we did not find the joys of setting up the bed very, well, enjoyable.

We therefore bought one with a fixed end bed - that is nice, can just flop in to bed with no hassle.

As to weight, some of the caravans are heavy - ours is over 1400kg. However, there are some that are much lighter.

Also depends what you are going to cook but give that consideration.

[tenerifemike]

Thanks Paul.

My girlfriends stepfather sells caravans in Weston Somerset and he reckons he has found us a cracker. We forgot he did this as we don't see him very often.

Not seen it yet of any pictures of it so not sure what the layout is at the moment. He said it belongs to one of the fitters that works there so it should be a nice one with no associated problems, damp etc.

Your suggestion about the bed is very practical and will bear this in mind when I eventually buy one.

Went to see some new ones in Newport last week and some of them are stunning but expensive. Makes me want to sell the house and just tour around the place.

Will let you know what I decide.

Thinks..........any nice Rover tourers around, mmmmmmm


Mike