Hi all
We are new caravanners having bought a 1990 Freedom Jetstream off eBay (and are thrilled to bits with it). Our car is a Vauxhall Astra auto estate. We've just had our first weekend away about 70 miles from home. Everything worked out well - the caravan is amazingly comfortable, all the appliances worked, and we couldn't stop grinning. But the towing experience did raise a couple of questions...
Firstly, I kept the speed down - 40 tops on A roads, and 50 tops on the motorway. I was very careful around lorries, so no snaking. But every bump in the road seemed to create bouncing in the caravan. I packed with great care, low down and over the axle, and put most of the heavy stuff in the car. The ratio of car to caravan must have been about 2:1, so why the bouncing? The caravan weighs 650kg, and the car about 1250kg, and both have been serviced recently so the tyre pressures should be right. Could it just all be new and different, or can I do something to reduce the bounce? Maybe this is normal - I don't want to make it out to be dreadful - in fact towing was loads easier than I had expected. The hitched up outfit before we set off was beautifully level. Any suggestions gratefully received.
My other question is that I routinely get travel plans from the AA website. This would have sent us on some very minor roads if we hadn't got additional directions from the campsite. Is there any source of caravan friendly directions?
ATB
Liz
We are new caravanners having bought a 1990 Freedom Jetstream off eBay (and are thrilled to bits with it). Our car is a Vauxhall Astra auto estate. We've just had our first weekend away about 70 miles from home. Everything worked out well - the caravan is amazingly comfortable, all the appliances worked, and we couldn't stop grinning. But the towing experience did raise a couple of questions...
Firstly, I kept the speed down - 40 tops on A roads, and 50 tops on the motorway. I was very careful around lorries, so no snaking. But every bump in the road seemed to create bouncing in the caravan. I packed with great care, low down and over the axle, and put most of the heavy stuff in the car. The ratio of car to caravan must have been about 2:1, so why the bouncing? The caravan weighs 650kg, and the car about 1250kg, and both have been serviced recently so the tyre pressures should be right. Could it just all be new and different, or can I do something to reduce the bounce? Maybe this is normal - I don't want to make it out to be dreadful - in fact towing was loads easier than I had expected. The hitched up outfit before we set off was beautifully level. Any suggestions gratefully received.
My other question is that I routinely get travel plans from the AA website. This would have sent us on some very minor roads if we hadn't got additional directions from the campsite. Is there any source of caravan friendly directions?
ATB
Liz
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