Commercial Vehicles on Campsites

[Sam_374394490]

Hi Everyone

My Husband has just been offered a new job, which comes with a brand new VW Transporter Kombi (5 seat version).

I know that the Caravan Club and several other sites have rules and regulations with regards to commercial vehicles being on site. The van will not be sign written, just plain white and it will also have front and back windows so looks more like a people carrier type vehicle.

Does anyone think this will cause us a problem towing our caravan with the Transporter.

Many thanks, and not sure whether I posted under the correct section so apologies in advance.

Sam x

 

[cooler]

Hi Sam, I have been to many CC sites and seen plenty of signwritten commercial vehicles, I don't foresee you having any problems.

 

[Caravangeek1]

Hi Sam, I have been to many CC sites and seen plenty of signwritten commercial vehicles, I don't foresee you having any problems.

Hello Sam,

We bought Our first caravan last year and checked with the CARAVAN CLUB first regarding commercial vehicles. We were told told that as long as it was not sign written it would be acceptable at all Club sites, however individual sites might also choose to take those with sign writing. We pull our Bailey Pageant Burgundy with a white Vauxhall Vivaro and have had no problems at all. The beauty of the van is we can take two full Aquarolls with us, lots of clothes, a large wash basket for dirty washing, tools, food, and just about everything you could want without putting any of it in the Bailey! We can also see over the tops of traffic when out on the road and over hedges when in the countryside. The high ground clearance means you're more resistant to moderate flooding as well, and on top of that the suspension doesn't sink to the ground when you hitch up. We get about 35mpg solo around town and about 25mpg towing. When people go on about the best tow cars, my reply has to be 'get a van'

 

[Caravangeek1]

Hello Sam,

We bought Our first caravan last year and checked with the CARAVAN CLUB first regarding commercial vehicles. We were told told that as long as it was not sign written it would be acceptable at all Club sites, however individual sites might also choose to take those with sign writing. We pull our Bailey Pageant Burgundy with a white Vauxhall Vivaro and have had no problems at all. The beauty of the van is we can take two full Aquarolls with us, lots of clothes, a large wash basket for dirty washing, tools, food, and just about everything you could want without putting any of it in the Bailey! We can also see over the tops of traffic when out on the road and over hedges when in the countryside. The high ground clearance means you're more resistant to moderate flooding as well, and on top of that the suspension doesn't sink to the ground when you hitch up. We get about 35mpg solo around town and about 25mpg towing. When people go on about the best tow cars, my reply has to be 'get a van'

 

[joeby]

it makes sense ,saw lots of van type vehicles on the Spanish sites last year , you throw every thing inside tables chairs bikes ,even a fridge

 

[Garfield]

Hi

We occasionally tow with my bright orange, sign written Transit van but we always ring up to confirm it's ok with the site warden/owner, so far the worst we have had is to be asked to leave it in the car park rather than by the caravan.

The only downside is that the Transit suspension is very basic and with a large T/A on the back it pitches badly and you feel like your getting bounced around compared to towing with our S-max. Crosswinds and overtaking HGV's with the van is a nervous experience wheras with the S-max (which is lighter and similar mileage) seems oblivious to side winds in comparison

 

[Sam_374394490]

Thank you, to you all for replying to my post.

We have just got back tonight from Wyatt's Covert which is a CC site and there were numerous small vans on site. We now have the choice of either a Mercedes Vito, or the VW Transporter. Really excited as it means I can take more stuff with us ... ;-)

 

[lessirrocc]

Hi Sam

We have been towing with a Vito for the last three years with no problems but if you decide to go for the Vito i would recommend the 115 bhp or above.

 

[JimD1]

We also tow with a Vauxhall Vivaro - we have cages fitted in the back for our 3 dogs - this still leaves room for plenty of kit in the van.

The relatively high kerb weight makes for a great tug, & if you combine this with the higher torque at lower revs you typically get from a van engine, it's dead easy to tow with. Another advantage is with it being not much smaller in cross section that the caravan, the aerodynamic front end cuts through the air very well & there seems to be much less buffetting of the font of the caravan as the air flows over it easier.

Would agree you need at least 115bhp. I tried towing with the 90bhp & that was hard work. - we have a friend with the 145bhp & that tows like a dream.

Jim