Campervan to caravan

kevinha
kevinha Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited April 2020 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

i have owned a 1991 campervan for 14 years, but with problems getting spares and the emissions it may be time for a change.Being in our 70s a new one is out of the question however we olso have a vw golf 1.6 tdi and thinking of getting a lightweight caravan is within our means, either a 2 berth Bailey discovery or Adria action , both within our means, and towing capacity. We would be very grateful for some advice

With the caravan being so light will it blow about especially on motorways

Would the car being small would it handle a caravan or would it end up the tail wagging the dog

any advice much appreciated kath and kevin

 

Comments

  • PJMEG
    PJMEG Forum Participant Posts: 180
    edited April 2020 #2

    Hi,

    Firstly hope your keeping well and safe in these strange times,

    Me and the other half have been caravanning for 10 years now, our first car was a 2007 Renault Megane 1.5 ltr diesel and we happily towed a small lightweight 2004 Compass caravan for more than 3 yrs all over the country with no issues before we upgraded to a bigger car and van,

    We never had any problem with it being tail happy or being blown about by large vehicles on the roads.

    I would imagine that you have done your homework regarding towing weights, if you have done this and stick to loading rules I would imagine you will have years of happy caravanning, good luck and enjoy.

    P and J

  • obbernockle
    obbernockle Forum Participant Posts: 616
    500 Comments
    edited April 2020 #3

    Your Golf could be one of many different models/years. Have a look at the plate on the drivers side B post. The greatest of the 4 numbers is the Maxiumum Train Mass, and the next greatest the maximum vehicle mass. Deduct one from tother and you have the legal limit for the loaded caravan. Also have a look at the handbook as that will tell you if there is any other limiting factor. Good luck.

  • keithpres
    keithpres Forum Participant Posts: 22
    edited May 2020 #4

    I tow a Trigano Rubis 750kg with a 1.2 petrol Skoda Fabia. Towed many miles over the last 4 yrs and it has always been as steady as a rock. As long as you load the caravan correctly you should have no problems.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2020 #5

    Don’t forget to check the nose weight

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2020 #6

    When we returned from the "Dark sidewink" we towed our little Elddis 2 berth with a Kia Soul 1.6 diesel ,we never noticed any instability, you will notice possibly a bit of "bounce?" that may feel a bit "different" but you normally soon get used to it.

    Good luck and enjoy

Categories