New Future Caravanner - please help :-)

[Chameleon67]

Hello everyone!

I am looking at getting my first touring caravan soon. I know it's kinda late in the year but had other things going on like divorce etc, but now looking at getting a caravan for my girlfriend and myself to get away when we can.

I have a late 2008 CR-V 2.2 diesel and am getting a bit confused at all the weight limits etc. I have read on this site in the "Your essential guide to… Matching cars and caravans" to go with the 85% of kerb weight (1617 Kgs for my CR-V according to the owners manual), so I have worked out that the maximum weight (MTPLM) of any caravan I want to tow should be under 1374 Kgs.

However, in the car owner's manual it states maximum towing weight of a trailer without brakes is 600 Kgs (with brakes 2000 Kgs).
Can anyone please enlighten me as to what's what here?
All help would be appreciated

Safe and Happy touring!

Mick

 

[Parksy]

Hi Mick, welcome to the forum.
The 85% figure is a recommendation for drivers who are not used to towing, it has no legal basis so a few kilos over wouldn't make too much difference.
Good caravan maintenance especially with regard to tyres, safe loading and good driving / towing technique are more likely to lead to a safe towing experience, although the overall vehicle towing limit must not be exceeded.
The 600kg figure is for an un-braked trailer such as those used for tents or gardening, caravans have brakes so the higher figure is the vehicle towing limit for a caravan which must never be exceeded.
If you passed your driving test after 1st January 1997 and don't hold a B+E licence category you are limited to a car and caravan combined weight of 3500kg overall, Click Here for more information.
Click Here to check out the touring caravan buyers guide which will provide useful information on what to look for when choosing a caravan, this will help you to avoid the more common pitfalls.
If there's anything that you're not sure about just ask, we're happy to help.

 

[colin-yorkshire]

hi Mick.
with 121 views and no replies I am suprised no one has said even Hello. So a belated "welcome to the forum".

also your question is one of a type that gets asked quite often on the forum regarding weights these topics because of their technical complexity and contoversy are hard to answer without opening a can of worms. however as a fisherman I am used to opening cans of worms so here goes.

1. the actual tow load of any vehicle is dependant on the the model variation it belongs to, just because it is a CRV does not mean all CRV's will tow the same. the best way of establishing the true max load is to refer to the VIN plate there are 4 figures on this 1. max front axle weight 2. rear max axle weight 3. gross vehicle weight 4. gross train weight.
the last two being the largest, take the smallest of the two from the largest this will calculate the max tow load.

2. tow load is the maximum weight the car can pull this is NOT the same as MTPLM as the noseweight is carried by the towing vehicle and as such can be deducted from the total weight of the trailer.

3. having got this figure what should you tow!! as a newbie the recommendation is 85% but only meant as a guide and not a rule to stick to!! 100kg either way will make no difference. I personally dont like the recommendation as it is based on a calculation I believe is perverse. instead one should aim to keep the towload as small as possible in this way one is not restricted to the choice of van.

4. if you do decide to go with a figure around the 85% mark 1374kgs +or- 100kg should be fine there are plenty of vans out there within this range. but the choice is yours.

5. the only other constraint is the type of licence you hold post 1997 licences do not have B+E catagorie only B this restricts the towing of trailers to a maximum of 3500kg total "gross train weight" and where the the towload cannot exeed the vehicle's MAM "mass in service" or kerbweight. this may not be a problem as you can pass a trailer test to gain the extra "E" bit, it may not apply to you but it is worth checking !!!.

hope this helps. while we wait for the worms to escape :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

ps, Parksy beat me!!! must learn to type quicker :cheer: :cheer:

 

[brian_c]

Welcome to the forum Mick.
I hope you are soon able to sort yourself out with a nice van.
You will get some good advice from the many knowledgable members of the forum.
The thing is to take your time and view as many caravans as possible to see what suits you. My choice was dictated by what my car could tow. Also I really wanted to stable it at home so again the physical size was an issue.
Remember to factor in all the extra costs such has insurance storage charges upgraded breakdown cover etc.
The two main clubs are very popular also, and once joined give competitive and good insurance and breakdown quotes.
Best wishes Brian

 

[Chameleon67]

Hello Parksy, Colin and Brian

Thank you for the information, it is very helpful.

I passed my driving test in 1987 and up until recently (not been for the over 45s medical) had the old HGV 3 too, so I have towed before, just not with a car!

The caravans I have been looking at online in Gumtree and Autotrader are all 2 to 4 berth single axle ones and the weights all below 1300 Kgs so I think sticking to around those should be good.

I wasn't aware caravans were classed as a "braked trailer" but then again never thought about it or looked into it. What does "braked trailer" actually mean? I was under the impression caravans only had a handbrake for maneuvering when un-hitched? Please excuse my ignorance here :silly:

Mick

 

[RogerL]

Caravans have brakes operated by the over-run hitch - it uses the handbrake linkage and brake drums for simplicity - nothing like air-operated or vacuum-operated trailer brakes like an HGV might use.

 

[Mel]

Hi Chameleon. I am no technical help to you, but welcome to the forum.
mel

 

[Chameleon67]

Thanks Mel,

I'm still looking for a caravan and think I may have missed out on a couple of decent local ones recently, but I shall keep looking
Mick

 

[Dustydog]

Welcome to the Forum Mick.
A caravan is the best tonic you can have post divorce. It keeps you focused on what really matters- life.
ENJOY.

 

[LizziePope]

Hi Mick and a warm welcome to the Practical Caravan forum!

 

[Gafferbill]

Hello and welcome to the forum.......nice place Elgin

Although I live at the other end of the UK from you I have been there many times delivering to a shop that used to be in the town.

Will I have to remove the Saltire from my little Union Jack?