caravan weight

[captain1]

Hi im a newby so be i bit gentle with me

But just a question to get started, with cars getting more expensive to run tax, insurance, fuel, ect ect are caravans getting to heavy?

John

 

[Guest]

You have obviously sussed the answer to your own question.

For a number of years now the UK caravan has been putting on weight as fast as the general population. This has been partly due to the desire of the UK caravanning population to take with them every accessory known to man, or woman. So to cater for this market requirement the manufacturers have obliged by including large washrooms, full cookers with electric hotplates and heavy upholstery etc. Add in the Tv hookups and all the gubbings and the pounds, or kilos add up.

The Continental manufacturers have approached things differently by providing lighter vans with less gizmos and naturally have made inroads to the UK market, as obviously their costs are lower. In fairness a number of the UK manufacturers have woken up to this and now provide lighter versions of their vans.

A lot depends on your type of caravanning experience. If your heart's desire is to sit weekend after weekend on a possibly damp site in the UK then having a lot of home comforts is a good idea. If your idea is to head for the sun and measure vans by the 'Ambre Solaire Factor' then a different type of van will suit your needs.

Really, it is up to you. If you look at the availability carefully you will find vans of all types that will possibly meet what you are looking for. Some people will not look beyond a 23 foot twin axles with all mod cons, while others are perfectly happy with a tiny Eriba. The answer is not to be restricted to what is possibly on the local dealer's forecourt. Go visit some Shows and see the whole range that is on offer. Use the Internet to look at all manufacturers, even vans that may not be obviously available here. If you plan a lot of Continental touring then a door on the 'other side' can be an advantage, and as I own one, is certainly no handicap here.

The conclusion?? Go look carefully and take your time. You will find what you feel is best for you out there, sonewhere.

 

[Lutz]

I think caravan manufacturers are well aware of what towcars their customers have, (depending on the market that they are targetting at) so one cannot say that they are getting too heavy - heavier yes, but not too heavy. Car manufacturers are similarly aware of this trend and, although, in the interest of fuel consumption, they are under pressure to reduce kerbweight, they are developing systems that will safely allow higher weight ratios. Therefore, the trend does not fill me with apprehension. The manufacturers know what they are doing.

 

[Lutz]

You have obviously sussed the answer to your own question.

For a number of years now the UK caravan has been putting on weight as fast as the general population. This has been partly due to the desire of the UK caravanning population to take with them every accessory known to man, or woman. So to cater for this market requirement the manufacturers have obliged by including large washrooms, full cookers with electric hotplates and heavy upholstery etc. Add in the Tv hookups and all the gubbings and the pounds, or kilos add up.

The Continental manufacturers have approached things differently by providing lighter vans with less gizmos and naturally have made inroads to the UK market, as obviously their costs are lower. In fairness a number of the UK manufacturers have woken up to this and now provide lighter versions of their vans.

A lot depends on your type of caravanning experience. If your heart's desire is to sit weekend after weekend on a possibly damp site in the UK then having a lot of home comforts is a good idea. If your idea is to head for the sun and measure vans by the 'Ambre Solaire Factor' then a different type of van will suit your needs.

Really, it is up to you. If you look at the availability carefully you will find vans of all types that will possibly meet what you are looking for. Some people will not look beyond a 23 foot twin axles with all mod cons, while others are perfectly happy with a tiny Eriba. The answer is not to be restricted to what is possibly on the local dealer's forecourt. Go visit some Shows and see the whole range that is on offer. Use the Internet to look at all manufacturers, even vans that may not be obviously available here. If you plan a lot of Continental touring then a door on the 'other side' can be an advantage, and as I own one, is certainly no handicap here.

The conclusion?? Go look carefully and take your time. You will find what you feel is best for you out there, sonewhere.

I would not say that, in general, the Continental manufacturers' approach is any different to those of the UK. It may be that they export only their lighter models to the UK, but there are certainly just as many heavyweights on the mainland side of the Channel. As I mentioned in another thread a week or two ago, more and more single axle caravans of 1800kg or 1900kg are starting to appear on the market (at least on the Continent) - something that would have been unthinkable a few years ago.

 

[captain1]

Hi

you both seem to agree on this one and you are right there is a choice out there and for the sake of the people in the industry i also hope you are right, but i might just put my shares in trailer tents as i dont have your faith i just think of all the british moterbike, car and lorry i could go on industrys we use to have thay didnt change with the times ether

john

 

[Lutz]

As the trend towards heavier caravans is the same on the Continent, I think that there is little danger of the UK manufacturers going to the wall at the expense of their competition abroad.

 

[captain1]

As the trend towards heavier caravans is the same on the Continent, I think that there is little danger of the UK manufacturers going to the wall at the expense of their competition abroad.

as i said trailer tents. if i can still aford to run a car it will have to be less weight and power

john

 

[captain1]

sorry try again having a senior moment I pressed wrong tab.

As you say uk and continental makers are tending to get heavier so know any good trailer tents to invest in. I am not getting a heavier car or even a newer car.

john

 

[Guest]

There are some good trailer tents out there and the name Conway comes to mind. However, the downside of them is that everything has to be assembled and diassembled for every move, and if it has been raining then the canvas is wet.

I suggest you are narrowing your field of options too much. If ypou really wish to go light then have a look at the smaller Eriba or even the Trigano pop top ranges. The Gobur range of fold up caravans at least gets away from soggy canvas. Also as already mentioned most manufacturers now do light weight versions.

Look on the Interente and download brochures and have alook at what is available. Even small cars can tow up to about 1000 kg.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi lutz

the caravan manufacturers know what they are doing eh, if only that was completly accurate, some want a very light weight van around 5/600kg for long weekends away and short breaks that can be towed by the super efficient

 

[Guest]

You may wish to 'trawl' again. Try Adria for starters.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

been there done that SL, on the adria web site the smallest van listed is the altea 360lt @

 

[captain1]

Hi all thanks for your replies and sugestions i think my best plan is to keep the outfit i have now and keep it as long as possable we dont want to go back to a 350/360 end kitchen and a new tow car is out of it we will be enjoying our caravaning with out the bank manager watching us

i still think the industry must get its finger out if it is to survive. Unlike mr broon our leader we cant spend our way out we must tighten the belt another notch.

john