Turntable Caravan

[Gafferbill]

It is certainly possible to produce a turntable caravan and to produce it near the price range of large maximum size/ weight twin axles.

Fifth wheel caravans are being produced at a hefty price tag when you consider they need an adapted large pick up to pull them. Even then the vehicle is somewhat compromised for solo use at the destination.

I have met some motorhome owners who admit to preferring a car and caravan for its flexibility after arriving at a site. They have been put off by the driving experience of towing a caravan and so have bought an expensive motorhome to continue their hobby.

These people spend large sums and could well consider a more stable easier to tow caravan.

I am just surprised that none of the big caravan producers we have in this country has produced a prototype for evaluation.

Perhaps it is because they buy in their chassis and it is only this that would differ on a turntable design.

 

[Lutz]

The steering system and a braking system that would necessarily be more sophisticated would undeniably result in a cost increase over that of a twin axle with a simple overrun brake. Besides, I shudder to think how the majority of owners would perform when reversing such an outfit. Considering the commercial pressures within the industry I frankly I can't see a major manufacturer taking the risk of developing a turntable caravan.

 

[Gafferbill]

I may yet build one myself using this company to build me a chassis that would be similar to this trailer they produce but less well engineered with only 2 axles.

http://www.batesontrailers.com/trailer-detail.asp?ID=78&cat=8
A motor mover on the front axle would do the reversing as I said in the OP.

 

[Lutz]

But one can't be expected to have to unhitch every time before using a motor mover to reverse.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I believe that a wheel at each corner caravan would be a significant improvement over the counter balanced arrangement we tend to have these days. I favour Ackerman steering over a turntable, though a turntable does offer greater manoeuvrability when on site. The trailer will be far less affected by side winds and bow waves from passing vehicles. Hitch loading would be far more predictable.

One of the down sides would be the ability to level the caravan on uneven ground, and the complexity of the steerage and braking systems would need to be more thoroughly checked at service, and would be a greater lever to introduce trailer MOT's.

As for braking systems, most vehicles have the capacity to generate moderate vacuum pressure from existing engines, and that could be used to operate a "vacuum assisted" system of trailer braking.

 

[TrevorM]

Hi,

I tend to agree with the posts suggesting there may be an increase in stability with a wheel at each corner, but no-one seems to have mentioned what could be a serious disadvantage where much more space would be needed to negotiate tight bends. I.e. the caravan follows the towing vehicle at a significantly tighter radius with a 'front wheel steering' system.

If you look out your old 'Dinky Toys' and try it you will see what I mean - whoops, showing my age again!

Enjoy your holidays.

Trevor M

 

[extrucker1]

hi trevor m, dont you remember when british rail used these trailors behind small tractors. they pulled quit a few behind them and they followed in exactly the same line as the tralor in front. if the driver went round an obstruction, all the trailors would follow. ray.

 

[Gafferbill]

...well spotted Prof!

I wondered if anyone would mention that it would be much harder to level when on site.

You would probably need a levelling system... a jack at each corner as opposed to a steady!

 

[ProfJohnL]

...well spotted Prof!

I wondered if anyone would mention that it would be much harder to level when on site.

You would probably need a levelling system... a jack at each corner as opposed to a steady!

And that means a stronger chassis will be needed to cope with the torsional loads.

 

[Gafferbill]

How is this for a first attempt at building one!!!!!!

 

[Hoits]

Thought I'd try to post on the new website. Seems OK.
As regards to levelling, surely Motor caravanners do it with a wheel at each corner, so why not a Turntable van?

Dave C

 

[ProfJohnL]

It looks good, but the steps probably make too wide for legal towing behind the SHMBO's fiat 500 (super sport)