Packing / Weight distribution

[ScouseIan]

Hi

Just packing caravan now for first real trip.

I've put the awning in the boot and many other stuff like outdoor tables and chairs. Mallet, airbeds, etc. Basically anything that is heavy or is not needed IN the caravan.

So, only some food and clothes type stuff to go inside, plus pillows, sleeping bags etc.

My question is: Is it safe to pack our clothes (for 2+3 kids) in overhead lockers or is it best to put them all on the floor whilst travelling.

I am going to put the food and any liquids at a low level because thats likely to be heavy items.

In the front locker I have 2 full gas bottles and all the other paraphenalia such as hitch and wheel locks. I have a high noseweight allowance of 100kg but even so it doesnt seem right to pack everything forward of the axle on the inside.

Sorry if its basic questions but I'm feeling a bit nervous.

And please stop talking about rollovers, at least till tomorrow.....

Ian

 

[Gafferbill]

Sorry Ian.

I admire the fact you are thinking safety.

Always best to keep it low but it is not heavy stuff.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Ian,

You obviously want to be safe on your journey, and you mentioned that you have a 100 kg nose-weight capability but have you measured the nose-weight? And is your 100 kg figure that fro the AL-KO coupling or the car?

I suggest it would be a good idea to measure the nose-weight of your caravan when "empty" (with gas bottles and spare tyre, but none of your stuff)

Knowing the "empty" nose-weight at least you'd be able to place goods in the caravan to deliberately increase, maintain or lower that weight... And then confirm it after loading...

Regarding clothes in upper lockers - they are meant for light-weight goods - so go ahead but just a few kg in each locker...

Robert

 

[ScouseIan]

Thanks Rob

Loaded up now so too late.

Ah yes, I see the ALKO max is 85kg I think (will check manual). I will just check tomorrow when caravan is on level ground. Its half on road/kerb at the mo.

Thanks again

 

[Parksy]

Hi Ian

Heavier stuff over the caravan axle and minimum weight higher up in overhead lockers.

Good luck with your trip,first time out is always a little nerve wracking but just take your time and enjoy your holiday, you'll soon get used to towing etc.

Of course you know that when you unpack everything at the other end you will have taken stuff with you that you wont use and forgotten something that you want to use.

Have a good time.

 

[Tapestry]

Hi

We are like you 2 adults, 3 kids. Our pillows, sleeping bags and fleece blankets, we have 1 each, all travel under the front seats. We also carry a Halogen heater for use in the awning and small fan under the front seats. We have fixed bunks at the rear, so we leave a sleeping bag, pillows and blanket on each bunk. Cuddly toys and dolls also travel on the bunks.

We have the same things in the boot of the car as you mention, we also have a picnic in a cool bag for long journeys and a waterproof jacket for myself and hubby. The kids waterproofs travel on the lower back bunk, easy to get to.

I have things I need to hang up in the wardrobe. I put light things such as underwear, nightwear, swim suits, sun hats on the top shelf in the overhead lockers towards the rear of the van. I carry the kettle, toaster and plastic jug in the overhead lockers towards the front of the van, on the opposite side melamine drinking glasses, 2 glass wine glasses in their holder and some CDs and DVDs.Each of the kids has a travel bag with their own clothes in which travels near the axile but then gets put under the rear bunk on site. Our water containers and the kids badminton rackets, swing ball and other lightweight toys, buckets and spades etc travel under the rear bunk while towing. I have a towel and soap to hand in the loo and a tea towel in an overhead locker near the kitchen. We carry a spare sleeping bag just in case 1 of the kids is ill as has happened on a previous trip. It travels under the front seat.

Tip, we use a wine carrier, the type you get from the supermarket to hold any bottles or jars in our bottom cupboard, helps to stop then rattling around.

Hope this helps. I am about to start packing for our 2 weeks hols, doing what I have mentioned here. It works for us.

Have a good trip and enjoy

Annette

 

[RichL812]

We find that if we drive with too much in the car and therefore the caravan is light it does not feel safe. We now put the awning and poles in the middle just behind the axle and find she sits like a rock behind the car.

When we are going without the awning we have most stuff over the axle, clothes always go in the wardrobe at the back but packed so they dont swing.

 

[Lindsay1]

Hi

We are like you 2 adults, 3 kids. Our pillows, sleeping bags and fleece blankets, we have 1 each, all travel under the front seats. We also carry a Halogen heater for use in the awning and small fan under the front seats. We have fixed bunks at the rear, so we leave a sleeping bag, pillows and blanket on each bunk. Cuddly toys and dolls also travel on the bunks.

We have the same things in the boot of the car as you mention, we also have a picnic in a cool bag for long journeys and a waterproof jacket for myself and hubby. The kids waterproofs travel on the lower back bunk, easy to get to.

I have things I need to hang up in the wardrobe. I put light things such as underwear, nightwear, swim suits, sun hats on the top shelf in the overhead lockers towards the rear of the van. I carry the kettle, toaster and plastic jug in the overhead lockers towards the front of the van, on the opposite side melamine drinking glasses, 2 glass wine glasses in their holder and some CDs and DVDs.Each of the kids has a travel bag with their own clothes in which travels near the axile but then gets put under the rear bunk on site. Our water containers and the kids badminton rackets, swing ball and other lightweight toys, buckets and spades etc travel under the rear bunk while towing. I have a towel and soap to hand in the loo and a tea towel in an overhead locker near the kitchen. We carry a spare sleeping bag just in case 1 of the kids is ill as has happened on a previous trip. It travels under the front seat.

Tip, we use a wine carrier, the type you get from the supermarket to hold any bottles or jars in our bottom cupboard, helps to stop then rattling around.

Hope this helps. I am about to start packing for our 2 weeks hols, doing what I have mentioned here. It works for us.

Have a good trip and enjoy

Annette

Annette,

You sound like you have it sorted, I on the other hand will be going away with my husband and 2 children next week and am so worried about how to pack the caravan and what to put in it. When you say you pack things in the lockers, are they all stored in their boxes, for example the kettle. How do you pack you glasses and tablewear, are they loose or in storage boxes. I have brough endless storage boxes, I'm presuming these can't be just left on the floor ! therefore things have to be packed safely in overhead lockers to stop them moving, how do you do this ? All information greatly received.