Confused about tow car weight!!!

[Mel]

I have a lot of sympathy for some of the newcomers, who have bought a caravan and then have realised that caravanning is not as straight forward as expected. How many of us have been asked by a dealer when looking at a caravan as to what we are going to pull it with. ? Many folk have gone from camping, with everything in the back of the car, to maybe towing atrailer with everything in it, the next move is to the caravan, and then bang, in comes the realisation of towing weights, and driving licence.
Carry on people ask away , the forum is here to help, not ridicule.
Hutch.

Totally agree Hutch. The fact is that you don't know what you don't know. Also there are lots of examples of newbies asking advice on this and other forums and then getting a long thread of conflicting and argumentative "advice" leaving them not much better off than when they started; and we all know about the over zealous salesman who assures you that your car will tow it, with apparent expertise and confidence. The OP was looking for advice when he knew he was in a tricky spot. Criticism is unhelpful and unpleasant and will just put off future postings from folks we would want to welcome.
Mel

 

[Parksy]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I don't want to get all heavy and start laying down the law, but sometimes when there's nothing constructive to add to a thread it's best to abstain from comment.
I doubt if the OP needs us to tell him that he made a mistake

 

[merseydave]

Carry on people ask away , the forum is here to help, not ridicule.
Hutch.

hi Hutch,
of course it is that is mostly the problem people don't ask enough question before leaping in.

but I'm sorry mate, there is a world of difference, between
"I am thinking of buying this van. will it be suitable" and
"I have bought this van. will it be suitable". the former is being rightly cautious the latter is just an idiot.

I will now retire from this subject. we can do it all again next week when the next one comes along.

Colin, I think the comment you make about people who buy a caravan then ask being an idiot was uncalled for.
I had my leg amputated and decided to get a van, now thinking I have a big ford focus estate I would have no problem as I only needed a two berth only to find that as it was an Auto it could only tow up to 1000kg. Now I found a van suitable for my needs and yes I did get help on here and let's no forget this is why people like myself join forums like this, how many times do we hear on forums that the only stupid question is the one that's not asked. So in the excitement of looking for a van in the back of ones head we think our car is big so will be fine only then as you say we are an idiot.

Regards Dave.

 

[pitpony]

Carry on people ask away , the forum is here to help, not ridicule.
Hutch.

hi Hutch,
of course it is that is mostly the problem people don't ask enough question before leaping in.

but I'm sorry mate, there is a world of difference, between
"I am thinking of buying this van. will it be suitable" and
"I have bought this van. will it be suitable". the former is being rightly cautious the latter is just an idiot.

I will now retire from this subject. we can do it all again next week when the next one comes along.

Colin, I think the comment you make about people who buy a caravan then ask being an idiot was uncalled for.
I had my leg amputated and decided to get a van, now thinking I have a big ford focus estate I would have no problem as I only needed a two berth only to find that as it was an Auto it could only tow up to 1000kg. Now I found a van suitable for my needs and yes I did get help on here and let's no forget this is why people like myself join forums like this, how many times do we hear on forums that the only stupid question is the one that's not asked. So in the excitement of looking for a van in the back of ones head we think our car is big so will be fine only then as you say we are an idiot.

Regards Dave.

Dave,
I agree with you and Hutch about asking questions on a forum even if it's been asked a thousand times before, Teachers, lecturers and course tutors must be bored to tears,

 

[Parksy]

Before this topic develops into a good old fashioned forum bust up we should all take a deep breath.
I think that the point that Colin was trying to make in his own inimitable Yorkshire style was that it would be better for prospective buyers to ask about towcar suitability, licence requirements, weights and sizes on this or similar internet forums before they actually buy a caravan.
In an ideal world that's what would happen, but of course we all know that this isn't always the case.
People do make mistakes, some trivial and some potentially expensive if not disastrous.
The collective experience of forum members often helps to lessen the impact of some mistakes, and when nothing can be done at least a person asking the questions has shared the process that led to their mistake for all to see and to learn from.
I haven't yet locked this topic to prevent further replies in case the original poster has anything constructive to add, but comments which could lead to internet arguments help no one and resolve nothing.
Let's have no more of describing forum contributors as 'idiots' please, and there has been the expected reaction to the comment so let's leave it at that, thanks.

 

[merseydave]

Hi pitpony thanks mate, this is what Forums are for as in asking questions and yes some have been asked a thousand times .....But as a new member looking for advice we all need to show them that this forum is the best there is therefore making them feel welcome and if we can give them the help and advice they are looking for, this will then encourage them to become more involved in the forum and who knows one day they may have that piece of advice that were looking for. And let's not forget.... No Members .....No Forum ....so let's work together and offer encouragement not drive them away.

Best Regards to All.
Dave.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

I agree we are on this forum to seek advice and give advice, but the state of the world today (in all aspects) seems that most people expect somebody else to do the work for them and take no responsibility themselves. Being of the 'old school' my approach would be:

1. Look on the internet first
2. If confused, use the search button on this forum to see if the topic has been raised before and what answers have been received
3. If still confused, ask the question here

But, of course, I'm just a grumpy old man. :kiss: