Using a campervan to tow a caravan.
We have towed caravans for many years using large cars and generally 4x4's. We now tow our two berth van' with a VW T5 campervan. The campervan is used as a 'day van' for days out to the seaside etc. when we can 'pop the top' and brew up as we see fit. Its a superb tow car and great fun for days out too!
My questions is, how will the outfit be accepted on club sites across the country? There is never more than my wife and I in the unit and the campervan is never used on site to sleep in. We only use the caravan as a base and the campervan as a tow car and 'day out' vehicle.
We have heard that some site wardens can be a little bit 'funny' asking if the campervan has gas fitted in which case it and the caravan are classed as two outfits. Does the club have a ruling on this? We have not yet been questioned on this matter, but I have heard mutterings from members as they walk past our setup.
It's a short wheelbase van, no advertising and is no bigger than your average MPV or people carrier. We would be interested to hear views on this and especially if there is clear advice should we ever be challenged on site.
Many thanks.
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I wouldn't worry about other members, the only muttering I'd be doing as I past you would be to comment how lucky you were having the perfect combination and living the dream!! If you have any complaints about gas then take the bottle out the campervan for your stay....sorted.
Enjoy what you have and don't worry about others, most will just be jealous 😊
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As far as I'm aware the only critera is that you don't use the T5 for sleeping in.
In your place I think I would email the club and carry a copy of the reply to show to any overly strict wardens.
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We have had a great deal of outfits as yours at Treamble valley camc site this year, none of which have been questioned by us or the wardens. In fact we have a very similar set up, a ford transit custom for days away from the site with the caravan to live in during the season. Ideal😀😀
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I can just about accept that only one 'vehicle' (as opposed to 'unit') may be used as sleeping accommodation ..... but the relevance of the T5 having gas is totally beyond me?.
You'll be telling me next that sleeping in the awning is strictly 'verboten' .(Yes, I fully expect that it is .... or maybe you have to be over (or under) 6 years old?
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I think there are a few on here who have both caravans and motorhomes so hopefully they will be able to offer advice, assuming they tow their caravans with their motorhomes?
David
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I think it's the fire break issue. The main van is positioned to maintain a fire break and the second vehicle/car/van whatever has to have the gas turned off accordingly and can't be used for sleeping.. There was a previous thread which explained this rule but I've no idea where to find it. Not the easiest thing to understand when you mention awnings...
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If the caravanette is being used purely as a towcar, I would think that there would be no problem sharing a pitch on any campsite.
But if the caravanette is also being used for sleeping or cooking then it will probably need to occupy a different pitch from the caravan to maintain the H&S fire break.
K
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Like TW, I think it is based more on the sleeping criteria per pitch. You can sleep in one outfit, but not two. Not sure what would happen if you both slept in one one night, but slept in the other the second night and so on, but there's bound to be a Club rule about it somewhere............
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Surely a VW T5 with a gas cylinder in (usually a small Campingaz 907?) is no more fire risk than a car with a full tank of petrol or an LPG powered car which would have a tank of gas and a tank of petrol. I can't see the problem myself....
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You might get directed to the "Traveller" section of course .....!
On the continent you get charged for a "Pitch" plus extra per adult so not a problem outside of the UK.
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Well, I tow an Eriba Familia behind my Cali. The reason I do that is that is so I can camp with my Sister (we have been holidaying together for years) and we both want our own space.
As far as most campsites are concerned who gives a damn what the tow car is or if someone overnights in it. I have just returned from France where on at least one pitch there were two caravans parked side by side, two families who wanted to share the same space.
However the Caravan club has the rule only one sleeping unit per pitch therefore the answer is to try and get to adjoining pitches. If it costs £30 to camp on a club site and £20 on a private site who does not give a damn then I will choose to camp elsewhere.
By coincidence, I fired off an email to Grinstead towers yesterday afternoon asking for clarification and when I get it I will post here.
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Well I have for the past 16 years, all I have been asked is that there is no gas in the camper.
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Would love to learn from others with MPV and associated 'sleeping options' be it tent and/or small caravan. Recently sorted a MPV with 'day trip' possibility but so new to it. Joining in with CACC because the staff are so helpful versus alternative Clubs (say no more). Any hints/tips/Site recommend actions greatly appreciated. We have 2 big cuddly dogs too. Good to be here 😀
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I can see the fire break thing, but how can (say) kids sleep in an awning that will inevitibly break those same rules....ie much nearer to adjacent unit?
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It would depend whether or not the M/H was used a a separate sleeping/eating unit or just as a tow vehicle.
In all honesty I would expect the CL owner to accept it as a single unit, depending of course on how long it was going to stay on site.
What would you do?
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Micky, I think you’ll find DD is confusing this hobby with his previous one in the amateur judiciary. 😳
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We have had to stand in the naughty corner this year as a member reported us for having 5 vans on site when they arrived, despite the fact one was packed up and leaving soon. Hence I asked the question. I have no problem with a MH caravan together, I would rather have that than an empty pitch. But its other members who could be a problem.
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You can sleep or cook in an awning alongside a caravan, You can sleep or cook in a pup tent alongside a Caravan . But sleeping or cooking in a VW alongside a caravan breaks the Club rules. Is that it?
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