New to Caravanning

[wiltsref]

Hi to all Member
After to many year going on holiday abroad and due to my wife health problems I've just purchased a
2003 Bailey Ranger 460/2.
I now need to purchase a tow car any advice?.

 

[Raywood]

The first thing is to get a car with the towing capacity needed which I believe is1134 kg fully laden. You then need to make sure the car is heavy enough for the job. The car must be heavier than the loaded caravan and the general recommendation for beginners by the two clubs and the NCC is the caravan should not be more than 85% of the cars kerb weight although an odd percentage or two over is not going to be of any real concern. You should therefore be looking for a car weighing about 1400 kg upwards. Get a good branded tow bar, Witter or Westfalia are two names to look out for.
Frankly there are not any bad tow cars these days and given that towing should be a relatively small part of your driving I would look for something that fits your normal life style bearing that in mind.
Diesels do work best as tow cars having more torque at low revs and being more flexible when towing but a decent powered petrol engine will cope.
You will find plenty to help you on the Advice section at the bottom of this page and I would also try the Caravan Club site where you will find more advise under Advice and training.
Bailey of Bristol Caravans have a beginners video on their web site although the correct way to connect the electricity is from the post to the caravan and not as they show it.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Bailey of Bristol Caravans have a beginners video on their web site although the correct way to connect the electricity is from the post to the caravan and not as they show it.

I haven't seen the video but your statement worries me, implying connect to post and then caravan. The hookup lead SHOULD be connected at the caravan end first and then connect to the post secondly, else you have a live end which can be dropped on wet grass and when picked up could electrocute the handler.

 

[ProfJohnL]

WC beat me to it.

 

[Raywood]

I am afraid the video does show a young lady connecting the plugs first to the mains and then to the caravan. http://bbtv.baileyofbristol.co.uk/Video/product-demonstration-getting-started-with-your-bailey-caravan#videoview
Other than that major blunder it is good.

 

[Dustydog]

The EHU is unforgivable in the 21st century.
Correctly the caravan was pulled forward onto the levelling plank. But they should have made this more clear.As we all know reversing on can disable the handbrake.
Our Prof will have been impressed with the Alde heating system, without the Alde Flow system.When he was bleeding the taps did you notice the steaming hot water coming out? Now that really is instant hot water :cheer: I want one
of those.
Did you notice his toilet waste cassette had no cap on the spout.He filled the chemical through the blade flap and amazingly emptied the full cassette via the centre orifice.
Have I been doing something wrong all these years :dry:

 

[Beachball]

Hi this is a belated welcome to the forum