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At the crossroads

Buckman

Buckman

As many of you are aware, we sold our caravan and the Jeep as OH felt we could not carry on plus daughter pressuring OH to sell. Lately on a couple of occasions OH is on about us buying another caravan as renting cottages can be expensive plus finding places where dogs are allowed. At the moment we are only going away for a week at a time three times a year. Unfortunately the maximum that our main car can tow is 750kg braked and the only options in that category are trailer tents like the Dandy etc. and it would need to be one with a toilet in it.

I have sort of mentioned to OH that we could always trade in OH's '25 Yaris for a vehicle that is capable to towing something up to 1500kg, but for some reason it did not appear to be a popular option. Sadly at present OH cannot drive anyway and is unsure when she will be able to drive again. The car has been sitting in the garage at home for the past 6 weeks although we did take it for a drive yesterday to keep the hybrid battery in good condition plus the concern with the E10 fuel going off and it has a full tank.

The advantage of a trailer is that we can store it in our garage at home, but it seems to have more disadvantages than advantages. We looked into getting a seasonal site and siting a caravan, but the fees for seasonal can be rather high if you are looking around Weston as that is a 90 minute drive from our home. Plus you are stuck in one place anyway so we are unsure. Having said that our last three trips away have been to the same cottage in Weston as the dogs like a nice run on the beach plus we can drive onto the beach.

I dislike dilemmas at this time of my life when all I want is a peaceful stress free retirement! LOL!
 
birdman101 said:
A near neighbour. has a folding caravan which can be stored in garage when folded down,
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My concerns are length of time it takes to erect and also packing up when wet. A seasonal pitch would allow us to get away more often instead of 3 times a year. Finding a reasonable priced seasonal site is a challenge. If we got one within 10 - 15 miles from a beach that allows dogs would be ideal which is why Weston is probably our best bet.
 
Welcome back. Could you not change the 750kg car for one with a higher tow load. Our last caravan was a 1300 kg Sprite with more than enough space for us, granddaughter and two dogs. Like you we re-entered the hobby after a three year break where everything had been sold. So we started at square one again.

We still fondly remember our caravan holidays, but have learnt now how to move on. This year so far three breaks away, the most recent without dog. Three more booked including Spain.
 
otherclive said:
Welcome back. Could you not change the 750kg car for one with a higher tow load. Our last caravan was a 1300 kg Sprite with more than enough space for us, granddaughter and two dogs. Like you we re-entered the hobby after a three year break where everything had been sold. So we started at square one again.

We still fondly remember our caravan holidays, but have learnt now how to move on. This year so far three breaks away, the most recent without dog. Three more booked including Spain.
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Sadly it is not even a month old and gives us nearly 70mpg. It is an estate and we are very pleased with it even though it is not new. Trading in the the Yaris would probably be the better option as it has more equity.
 
How do you feel about, dare I say it, a motorhome? Trade the Yaris in against one??
Making a run for it now.
Mel
 
I guess your decision comes down to whether what you most liked about Caravanning was going to different places and exploring the local history/geography/countryside/places to visit: Or if what you most liked was relaxing in the van, walking the dogs nearby, enjoying a good restaurant, generally just getting away from home.
If it was the former, bite the bullet, change the car, and tour.
If it was the latter, go seasonal.

For me a folding camper/ trailer tent ( been there) is more hard work than is worth it.
Good luck in your decision making. To be honest once you have made it, then the agonising will be over.
Mel
 
Buckman said:
Sadly it is not even a month old and gives us nearly 70mpg. It is an estate and we are very pleased with it even though it is not new. Trading in the the Yaris would probably be the better option as it has more equity.
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What happened to the new Hyundai Tuscon that replaced your Lexus?

When we decided to restart caravanning after a total break our hearts overruled our heads and we bought a Trigano Silver 420DD pop top. It was high build standard with shower, cooker, heating, fridge and custom Walker awning. But on first use with dogs and teenage granddaughter on a very wet Welsh weekend it quickly became clear that having to make an appointment to move around wasn’t for us. Even without dogs and granddaughter it wouldn’t have been suitable. So we traded it for a 1300 kg Sprite five berth which was more conventional. Think carefully before you launch ahead.
 
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Having been in a trailer tent, although it be years ago and having had a moderate sized tent in the past in my opinion a trailer tent has several benefits over a tent,a caravan has several benefits over a trailer tent,I hope you choose something that you like and enjoy it
 
I had 2 pennine fiesta trailer tents, the 2nd one was brand new. Great to tow with a smaller car, but a right PITA to pitch when it was chucking it down. Think carefully, as with the van you have your creature comforts to hand, with the trailer tent I always had to move something to find anything 😉
 
Also good to see you back you have decide between a tailer tent/ caravan if me i would go after caravan and put on a seasonal pitch near Weston and enjoy yourselves.
 
Good to see you back Ian.

Nearly 50 years ago I ditched the frame tent and bought a lovely NR Nimrod trailer tent. Great piece of kit. Toilet, a Porta Potti 55 resided in a self contained toilet tent.Something else to erect. No basin or sink..A few years later a caravan appeared.
Apologies now for being harsh , but do you really want to reinvent the wheel at your ages? You had a five star super luxury Buccaneer.. Are you seriously considering going backwards?

If you are thinking about a trailer tent have you considered the latest craze? A car roof top tent??
Maybe you should do a Nigel Donnelly. Buy an old caravan, sound ,but needing diy TLC. Do it up. And then buy an old Kia Sorento and run them into the ground.🙀

Or bite the bullet and go back to near enough where you were.
Good luck what ever you choose.
 
Welcome back Ian, I will call you soon, perhaps you might want to come and see us on our seasonal to get a feel for it. Next weekend we should be there. The site is adult only, and 10 mins from the beech. Also dog friendly.
 
I loved our trailer tent , but the OH has failing knees so got a caravan. Each to is own, think about whether you want to move about to different locations or whether a fixed site will do as you get older. We have friends who travel to France to meet their caravan, washed cleaned and serviced and isn't doesn't move from their site ,they just travel out each day in the car.
 
Can I suggest you re-check the max trailer weight you can tow.
You said in you initial post "max 750kg braked" It is only trailers that exceed 750kg that require brakes. So are you sure you havent misread the information and it actually says "maxium UNbraked trailer weight 750kg" ?? (Thats standard across all vehicles homologated for towing)
I could of course be wrong, but it has to be worth double checking.
 
Mr Plodd said:
Can I suggest you re-check the max trailer weight you can tow.
You said in you initial post "max 750kg braked" It is only trailers that exceed 750kg that require brakes. So are you sure you havent misread the information and it actually says "maxium UNbraked trailer weight 750kg" ?? (Thats standard across all vehicles homologated for towing)
I could of course be wrong, but it has to be worth double checking.
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Might be a hybrid many of which have low tow loads. My 2.5 litre RAV4 is specified at 800kg braked, Wheras our 1.25 litre petrol Kia Rio is 1100 kg braked load.
 
^^^^ presumably 2wd RAV? However I am puzzled by inference the Yaris is an estate….? There is no such car, or did I misread? Otherwise unfortunately you have three choices, carry on as now, change the car or seasonal pitch a van. I would bite the bullet cut the losses and change the car but it’s your call. We have a slightly similar dilemma due to desire to upgrade to an 8’ wide van with a tow car limit of 1500kg. I really do not want to change my 4 and a bit year old RAV PHEV (only just run in at 63k miles) but may have no option.
 
Y
Flatcoat said:
^^^^ presumably 2wd RAV? However I am puzzled by inference the Yaris is an estate….? There is no such car, or did I misread? Otherwise unfortunately you have three choices, carry on as now, change the car or seasonal pitch a van. I would bite the bullet cut the losses and change the car but it’s your call. We have a slightly similar dilemma due to desire to upgrade to an 8’ wide van with a tow car limit of 1500kg. I really do not want to change my 4 and a bit year old RAV PHEV (only just run in at 63k miles) but may have no option.
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Yes 2WD RAV4 2021 33k miles. In December 2025 Buckman had a new model Hyundai Tuscon petrol, so must have changed it, but still has the Yaris. .
 
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It's difficult to provide an answer because we all have different wants, needs and capabilities.

While life shouldn't really be centred around economics its somewhat inescapable. If you add up all the costs invovled in changing car, getting another caravan/trailer tent, cost of towing, servicing and insuring whatever you tow - its probably more than what you'd pay for three weeks away in an AirBnb for many years to come.

Then there's the fact that a good many of us are well past our 'Best Before End' date and do we really want to keep on towing - and I imagine setting up a trailer tent is a bit harder than a caravan.

Good luck with whatever you decide to go for in the future.
 
otherclive said:
Might be a hybrid many of which have low tow loads. My 2.5 litre RAV4 is specified at 800kg braked, Wheras our 1.25 litre petrol Kia Rio is 1100 kg braked load.
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Indeed it may be, but, like I said, its only trailers OVER 750kg that are required to have brakes, and the OP said in his original post his car was limited to towing a BRAKED 750kg max trailer.

Hence my suggestion to recheck as I have never come across a trailer under 750kg that has brakes fitted!

His car, like every other car, will be legally restricted to towing an unbraked trailer of 750kg BUT its entirely possible it can tow a braked trailer that weighs more than 750kg. Not owning his towcar I dont know, but it could well be worth his while to double check "just in case"⁰
 
Mr Plodd said:
Indeed it may be, but, like I said, its only trailers OVER 750kg that are required to have brakes, and the OP said in his original post his car was limited to towing a BRAKED 750kg max trailer.

Hence my suggestion to recheck as I have never come across a trailer under 750kg that has brakes fitted!

His car, like every other car, will be legally restricted to towing an unbraked trailer of 750kg BUT its entirely possible it can tow a braked trailer that weighs more than 750kg. Not owning his towcar I dont know, but it could well be worth his while to double check "just in case"⁰
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I think I understood your FIRST post wrt the OPs conundrum. I was JUST making the point that some hybrids have very low towing limits, or no limit at all. IE Corolla Touring. Interesting to know what the OPs car is, and its limit though.
 
The Hyundai and myself did not agree with one another for various reasons . I now have a 1.8 Corolla Touring vehicle and find it one of the best cars for me to drive. Should have bought one in the first place.

From owner's manual;

Towing capacity
Without brake 450 kg (992 lb.)
With brake 750 kg (1653 lb.)

Trailer tent is now definitely off the books so may go seasonal.
 
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