towing with a van

[brian_374331089]

hi anyone out there any experience towing with a van,thinking of buying a van for towing a twin axle caravan,van would be 12months old.how about the new transit or vw.Any advise please

 

[SteveW77]

Most sites don't like vans, they associate hem with travelers.

Steve W

 

[Icemaker]

Vans make great tow vehicles but as has been said above you will have loads of problems getting sites to allow you on.

Probably about 90 % of site have a clause that states no commerciall vehicles, rightly or wrongly.

 

[allen1]

Hi brian,

The C&cc allow comercial vehicles ie vans so long as they do not have it sign written such as Joe Bloggs window fitters,even then if you phoned the site and told them it was your only vehicle they would not turn you away, but would probably ask you to park the van at the rear of the site or on the car park of the site,when I worked for them that was the accepted practise.The CC have higher standards and probably woudn't let you within 5 miles of there sites LOL.CL sites are usually more flexible if you let them know beforehand.

 

[david_374321515]

Hi brian,

The C&cc allow comercial vehicles ie vans so long as they do not have it sign written such as Joe Bloggs window fitters,even then if you phoned the site and told them it was your only vehicle they would not turn you away, but would probably ask you to park the van at the rear of the site or on the car park of the site,when I worked for them that was the accepted practise.The CC have higher standards and probably woudn't let you within 5 miles of there sites LOL.CL sites are usually more flexible if you let them know beforehand.

I have been on cc sites many times in my area with my van which is sign written and i have never experienced a problem, but that's not saying that other sites may take a different view. cheers

 

[Dustydog]

Andrew Ditton , caravan freelance journalist, tows with his Renault Trafic van. I wonder if he has experienced problems at the sites?

As a lot of motor homes are based on Transits and VW I wonder if you put in windows and hung some curtains you might get away with it?

Cheers

Alan

 

[lessirrocc]

Hi Brian

I have a new merc Vito 115 long wheel base duel liner sport and it is the best tow car i have ever had. before the merc we had a series 3 discovery and before that a 2.8.shogun .The Vito has all the toys of a luxury car and the room of a van and seats 6 in comfort it tows are elldis super sirocco with ease and the fuel economy is fantastic compared to the disco, we have never had a problem on sites most wardens coment on how good looking the unit is.

 

[brian_374305356]

Hi Brian

I have a new merc Vito 115 long wheel base duel liner sport and it is the best tow car i have ever had. before the merc we had a series 3 discovery and before that a 2.8.shogun .The Vito has all the toys of a luxury car and the room of a van and seats 6 in comfort it tows are elldis super sirocco with ease and the fuel economy is fantastic compared to the disco, we have never had a problem on sites most wardens coment on how good looking the unit is.

hi les

thanks for reply glad someone else is on my wavelength thought vans were a none starter for towing a caravan.Vito looks good,

what sizi of engine have you got, is it a auto or manual what mpg do like the look of the vito sport

 

[Gareth111278]

a mate at work has just bought a SWB transit [brand new] its got windows in the front part of the van and i recon has 6 [maybe 7] seats, the rear is partitioned off from the passenger area, looks just like a BIG MPV, eg the Transit Torneo.

I'm dead jelous!!

 

[Hazel_374324904]

Hi Brian

I have been looking into this ideas as well and i have to say that the Mercedes Vito seems to be the most attractive. However not far behind is the Volkswagon Caravelle i have yet to investigate Volkswagon but i have been told on a number of occasions that they do a 4x4 model. The Renault Traffic is also manufactured with additional seats and windows althouth slightly wider and taller than the vito still smart looking, good luck and let us know what you decide to do?

 

[dominic]

hi vans in general are excellant for towing.most commercial sites stipulate no sign written vans/no vans but i have seen vans at many top sites throughout the south west.i reckon if you said you had a van when booking you would be told no.i think it is just a way of sites safeguarding against travellars.i have also seen "sorry we are unable to except hobby caravans"as well as being a travellars favoured vans they are to large for pitches/site roads.if you turned up with the single axle smaller hobby,site owners wouldnt give it a second glance.if you intend to holiday on commercial sites go for a van and i am sure you will be ok on no van sites.i agree with what has already been said that you would have no chance with caravan club only sites and cl's.

 

[Joanna_374341124]

We tow with a Vauxhall Vivarro and have been over to France twice with it. It is a crew cab LWB and seats six we actually find our boys (aged 9,11 and 14) don't moan nearly as much about being uncomfortable although it is utilitarian. We have NEVER encountered problems on sites all over the country and have stayed far and wide. We thought that we might especially towing a german caravan! The back of the van can carry huge quantities of bikes chairs and infact we have taken our teak garden table and chairs and parasol before now! We would highly recommend them!