Recent content by Cockovan

Hi, I'm hoping for help with finding a site as near as possible to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, prefereably on a bus route, so my wife can visit her mother whilst I'm not there. Any suggestions gratefully received. Thank you. Alan

We have also stayed at many sites in the Ardeche, but our favourite is Le Riviera, although you will find relatively few Englkish on it the staff do speak English. It has a small pool, is right on the river with direct access and a good bar/restaurant.

Hi Lutz, Thanks for the info, but the way I read that is that the vehicle has to be capable of taking a noseweight not less than 4% of the vehicle maximum permisable towable mass, not that the trailer has to exert at least that figure.

For Lutz, I'd be interested where your 'legal minimum' of 4% comes from. I can find no such minimum in technical data or on web sites I have visited over many years of caravanning.

Why not just replace the wheel itself? You can get them for £3-£5 at most caravan dealers. The are usualy just held in by a split pin at both ends of the axle tube.

I must be the odd one out. I was so pleased with my Alko jack on my last twin axle Bessacar that I transfered it to my new Compass twin axle. I have never had a problem in lifting either van (present one weighs 1875Kg Max.) allowing full access to both the spare and the flat tyre.

Funny you raise this point as I heard the same comment this weekend. As no caravanning organisation I am aware of condones towing over 100% ratio I can't see it affecting the caravanning fraturnity, cattle trailers, horse boxes and boat towers might start to be more aware of weights if it is true!

Hi, I tow a Compass Rallye weighing 1600Kg empty, payload 275Kg, Max weight 1875Kg with a Toyota Landcruiser weighing 2225Kg giving an 85% ratio. When fully loaded for a main holiday we weigh up to 4500Kg returning 22mpg (31 solo). The outfit is stable up to 80mph (abroad - now illegal). I...

Hi, Have the same problem, when I approached them at their stand at the CC national rally they could not offer any suggestions as to what to repair it with. I suggested something like TIPPEX, and they just said 'give it a go on a small spot in case it damages it further'. So far haven't got...

I have just measured the height of the ball on my Landcruiser. It has a Toyota own bar with faceplate. The height of the centre of the ball - completely unladen - is 460mm (18in). I have never noticed any problems with ride height in 5 years once the vehicle is loaded and the van hitched it...

If they are the type that you twist to adjust and lock in place we had these on our Trio. Complained to Trio about them not holding, and the joints falling apart. They provided a replacement set of poles but they were no better. On complaining again they offered me a set of glass fibre poles...

I have glued a length of white plastic track to the top of the wheel arch, hardly visible, and modified the wheel cover so that it slides simultaneously into the new track and the joining strip that holds it to the draft skirt.

I have never measured the wind speed but we have been out in some very strong winds. When my wife gets worried I either put the car wind side of van to protect the van a bit - works quite well, and if it is like it when we arrive I park - when permitted - facing into the wind. I have seen a...

I must agree, reliability is very high on my list of priorties along with being able to do the job I'm buying for. I have had 6 Toyotas over 30 years, each has done well over 100k and I have had 1 breakdown in that time. Consequently my experience is such that I stay with Toyota. As you say...

Not quite true. The 'Struggle, is from the top of Kirkstone pass down into Ambleside. Caravans are banned from all approaches to the Kirkstone Pass. Most of the severest roads have signs banning caravans, if they don't it is often because there is a site along there length. We live in Cumbria...