Advise before buying our first caravan

[bib]

We are looking to buy our first caravan in few weeks time. Before such important expense, we would like to consult others and get some feedback and guidance. Thanks in advance everybody.

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It a lightweigh 3 berth caravan that would travel mostly in Ireland and hopefully in Europe at some point

What would be the additional (minimal) equipment and tools needed on the caravan (the likes of spare wheel, room heater, etc) as a starter?

Advise before a purchase like this? Dos and donts.

What about any security features?

Anybody else traveled abroad and towed caravan back to Ireland ?

 

[Hutch]

A spare wheel is a nessecity, as for tools, that can be neverending, the caravan shown doesn't show any payload, ie how much it can carry, European caravans and normally smaller ones like Eribas, tend to have good payloads. But that is normally because they are basic.
A waste water container of some sort, maybe 25 litres, maybe a water supply barrel , even though it has a 30 litre tank. The list is almost endless.

 

[JTQ]

As you are new to caravaning I would strongly recommend you hold fire and start doing a lot more research on the viability of that caravan.

[ based on the stated "Permissible gross vehicle weight 750 kg", unless that has lost something in translating.]

I just don't think a caravan with a maximum weight of just 750kg can be viable. At least for other than the ultra minimalist campers.

 

[bib]

As you are new to caravaning I would strongly recommend you hold fire and start doing a lot more research on the viability of that caravan.

[ based on the stated "Permissible gross vehicle weight 750 kg", unless that has lost something in translating.]

I just don't think a caravan with a maximum weight of just 750kg can be viable. At least for other than the ultra minimalist campers.

I d call myself a minimalist camper.

 

[JTQ]

I d call myself a minimalist camper.

Then the challenges reduce, if not go away. The very critical real user payload, the difference between what it in working spec actually weighs and that maximum permitted weight, is not even hinted at. This has to be adequate for bedding, crocks, cutlery, towels, clothes and anything food wise carried. Just trying to help you focus on ensuring there is enough allowed, regretfully there often is not. You can cut toothbrush handle short, use one Marigold rather than a pair , skint on clothes etc. 😏
Enjoy your new hobby.

 

[Hutch]

Then the challenges reduce, if not go away. The very critical real user payload, the difference between what it in working spec actually weighs and that maximum permitted weight, is not even hinted at. This has to be adequate for bedding, crocks, cutlery, towels, clothes and anything food wise carried. Just trying to help you focus on ensuring there is enough allowed, regretfully there often is not. You can cut toothbrush handle short, use one Marigold rather than a pair , skint on clothes etc. 😏
Enjoy your new hobby.

The payload is only 100 kg, From another thread.

 

[JTQ]

The payload is only 100 kg, From another thread.

Thanks, that's a starting point and in itself ought to be enough to concern most of us buying a caravan. IMO unless for a minimalist solo user it's inadequate.

However, its "a starting point". What is or is not included, the battery and charger for example?
Then there is the build weight tolerance, quite likely with a "plus" figure, whereas the "max permissible", unless officially altered comes by the definition of maximum with a zero "plus" tolerance.

My experience is the vans we have purchased were into the "plus" tolerance, one so far the Max permissible figure had to be uprated. Thankfully there, having been "stung" before, weighing the delivered van and the remedial actions to yield a minimum user weight allowance were something I insisted were essentials in the contract. [for a factory build].

For a forecourt purchase then weighing the actual van itself is both easy and a reasonable pre purchase requirement. If the seller is not willing, it rather confirms the risks involved are too high, along with telling you all you need to know about dealing with them.

Hence, my advice to address if the van is actually viable weight wise for its intended use.

 

[ProfJohnL]

As JTQ has pointed out, with such a low gross weight, there are real concerns about the available loading capacity of the caravan, especially as you claim its a three berth.

Although you haven't told us in this thread about your tow vehicle, provided it is approved for towing ( and some aren't) I have little doubt it should manage 750Kg.

The UK's towing weight regulations are very similar to those in other EU countries, so based on what I do know, provided you do not exceed 750Kg for the whole caravan, you should be legal, but if the caravans actual loaded weight exceeds 750Kg and it is detected you could be in trouble.

The loaded caravan would need to be weighed on its own uncoupled from the tow vehicle, to check its weight against its MTPLM.

As for security items, you should consult your caravan insurances policy requirements.

 

[otherclive]

As JTQ has pointed out, with such a low gross weight, there are real concerns about the available loading capacity of the caravan, especially as you claim its a three berth.

Although you haven't told us in this thread about your tow vehicle, provided it is approved for towing ( and some aren't) I have little doubt it should manage 750Kg.

The UK's towing weight regulations are very similar to those in other EU countries, so based on what I do know, provided you do not exceed 750Kg for the whole caravan, you should be legal, but if the caravans actual loaded weight exceeds 750Kg and it is detected you could be in trouble.

The loaded caravan would need to be weighed on its own uncoupled from the tow vehicle, to check its weight against its MTPLM.

As for security items, you should consult your caravan insurances policy requirements.

The details of the OPs proposed tow vehicle are in a parallel thread. CRV 1.6 diesel plus subsequent discussion.

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