Help !!!! New kids on the block !

[freda and colin]

We were thinking of changing from tent to caravan but are finding it difficult to sort out the transition. Present car is Agila which will tow very little, can't afford & don't want a large car or 4x4. is there anyone out there who tows with a Fiesta, Corsa, Skoda Fabia or Peugeot 207, to name a few of the contenders ? We know we will probably have to stick to a van of around 1000 kg ... thinking of a Sterkeman or Ariva. Concerned about towing being a nightmare even if we stick to this weight. Also, almost impossible to find out about noseweights. Any help and infromation would be appreciated Freda and Colin

[Guest Peter Sharpe]

Have you ever thought of buying a folding camper instead? For the same price as a basic lightweight caravan you can acquire an extremely well equipped camper and it will be a lot easier to tow. The beds are usually superior to those in most caravans and far larger. As seasoned campers you will gain all the benefits of a caravan and yet still retain that feeling of being under canvas (very high quality canvas as well). Go to one of the large dealers and look at a few - you may be pleasantly surprised.

[Derek Uzzell]

For information on folding caravans I suggest you visit www.goburcaravans.co.uk This website will give you a feel for the likely sizes/weights involved and, if you want noseweight data, I'm sure the company can provide it.

[Brian Kirby]

[QUOTE]freda and colin - 2006-07-30 4:36 PM We were thinking of changing from tent to caravan but are finding it difficult to sort out the transition. Present car is Agila which will tow very little, can't afford & don't want a large car or 4x4. is there anyone out there who tows with a Fiesta, Corsa, Skoda Fabia or Peugeot 207, to name a few of the contenders ? We know we will probably have to stick to a van of around 1000 kg ... thinking of a Sterkeman or Ariva. Concerned about towing being a nightmare even if we stick to this weight. Also, almost impossible to find out about noseweights. Any help and infromation would be appreciated Freda and Colin[/QUOTE]

Max laden weight of caravan for any car is 85% of the kerb weight of the car, unless the car manufacturer's stated trailer weight limit is lower.  Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!  This 85% figure has, actually, been arrived at by the Caravan Club following test trials underaken by Bristol University at the MIRA test track.  It is not mandatory, but exceeding 85% risks instability in the caravan as the car's weight is insufficient for control under all driving circumstances.  Basically, the tail tries to wag the dog!

Noseweights: two aspects to consider. 

1) The car has a limit on the vertical downforce (noseweight) that may be applied to the towball.  This limit is set by the car manufacturer.  Be warned that not all versions of the same make/model of car have the same noseweight limit.  You need to check the limit for the actual model variant you are considering.  You must not exceed this figure.  

2) The correct noseweight for the caravan you choose will be 7% of its actual laden weight.  With lightweight caravans there is not much user load allowance, so use 7% of the caravan's MTPLM (Max permissible weight).  You should not reduce below 7% to try to accommodate a car with a lower limit.  You either need to look for a lighter caravan, or a car with a more realistic noseweight limit.

[howie]

[QUOTE]Peter Sharpe - 2006-07-31 3:02 PM Have you ever thought of buying a folding camper instead? For the same price as a basic lightweight caravan you can acquire an extremely well equipped camper and it will be a lot easier to tow. The beds are usually superior to those in most caravans and far larger. As seasoned campers you will gain all the benefits of a caravan and yet still retain that feeling of being under canvas (very high quality canvas as well). Go to one of the large dealers and look at a few - you may be pleasantly surprised.[/QUOTE]Folding campers is just about the one area re . camping we have not tried, and has always struck me as the ideal compromise. I,ve looked at quite a few on site and they certainly lack nothing in terms comfort and equipment. Easy to tow and easy to store, they seem to offer the best of of all worlds and well worth consideration. Howard.

[jaywalkerwalks]

the advice you have been given is spot on,an agila is not a very good tow car in terms of caravaning but a trailer tent will be right up your street if you must have a caravan you will have to change your car to somthing heavier like an Astra *-)