Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: HNO3GOH on 10 September 2008, 22:47:24

Title: Sorry had to do it
Post by: HNO3GOH on 10 September 2008, 22:47:24
Went away for a long weekend in cornwall and i took this to try before i buy. Does make my mig look small lol ;D

(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn195/cjjm26/HolidaySept2008397.jpg)

(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn195/cjjm26/HolidaySept2008398.jpg)
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: Danny on 10 September 2008, 22:52:12
they look made for each other!! (will this comment cost me my post count when TB sees it? :D)
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: Vamps on 10 September 2008, 22:54:28
Looks good to me, I am trying to get swmbo to change our static for a tourer, sad I know. ::)
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: Entwood on 10 September 2008, 22:56:45
Nice looking set up  :y :y :y

Bailey's make good vans and weight wise shouldn't be a problem ... MTPLW around 1400 Kgs ??

Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: HNO3GOH on 10 September 2008, 22:57:01
Quote
they look made for each other!! (will this comment cost me my post count when TB sees it? :D)

He cant not like it as it's a Senator :D :D
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: Kevin Wood on 10 September 2008, 22:58:06
<TB nips out for a can of petrol and some old rag>  :o
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 10 September 2008, 23:00:41
Quote
Looks good to me, I am trying to get swmbo to change our static for a tourer, sad I know. ::)

Makes sense to me - I'd much rather have one that can be taken around, to experience different places, etc.

Maria would like a 'van - the only things stopping me are

A) Storage
B) I need to take an additional towing test
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: PaulW on 10 September 2008, 23:06:39
I need to look into the towing test myself as I'll need to get it done at some point...
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: Bandit127 on 10 September 2008, 23:07:22
Quote
Looks good to me, I am trying to get swmbo to change our static for a tourer, sad I know. ::)
If you do 'trade down' you wont lose much space looking at that pic  :o

One of these use to do our family of 4 a treat when I was a nipper...  :)
(http://www.bandit127.com/oof_stuff/images/Sprite.jpg)
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: Humpy on 10 September 2008, 23:14:18
A mate of mine's got one of these vans and it's a bloody nice van. We borrow it from time to time so he must be a bloody nice bloke to go with it :y

Humpy
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: Kevin Wood on 10 September 2008, 23:21:22
Quote
Quote
Looks good to me, I am trying to get swmbo to change our static for a tourer, sad I know. ::)

Makes sense to me - I'd much rather have one that can be taken around, to experience different places, etc.

Maria would like a 'van - the only things stopping me are

A) Storage
B) I need to take an additional towing test

Not sure that's always true. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_10013073

I assume you've got category B which does come with limited towing entitlement:

Quote
Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) or a trailer over 750kgs MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM.


Kevin
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: Martin_1962 on 10 September 2008, 23:44:54
You used the tractor?

You need the V6
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: Andy B on 10 September 2008, 23:56:06
For example:

a vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.25 tonnes could be driven by the holder of a category B entitlement. This is because the MAM of the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and also the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle


Talk about making something as simple as towing a caravan so bloody confusing. H21 the other suggested that 750kg was the max trailer weight for a B licence holder ..... end of! We're pissing against the wind when the 'official' advise  seems to differ.
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: hotel21 on 11 September 2008, 00:14:05
Its my understanding that the 750 kg limit is the be all and end all.  If that towed weight is exceeded then the driver is driving outwith their licence entitlement, irrespective of the smoke and mirrors from the rest of the blurb....    :D

If the 750 kg towed is exceeded then it leaves an defecit weight on the towed vehicle such that it would then be an unsafe combination if the 'train weight' figure is used??
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: Andy B on 11 September 2008, 00:22:29
Quote
Its my understanding that the 750 kg limit is the be all and end all.  If that towed weight is exceeded then the driver is driving outwith their licence entitlement, irrespective of the smoke and mirrors from the rest of the blurb....    :D

If the 750 kg towed is exceeded then it leaves an defecit weight on the towed vehicle such that it would then be an unsafe combination if the 'train weight' figure is used??

I don't know!  :-? Just offering the example above, where it says that
a B licence hlder can tow a 1.25 tonne trailer ... ?????
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 11 September 2008, 01:05:21
It's so unclear, I would rather just take the course, than risk my licence or unwanted plod attention.

Plus, I've not towed on the roads, so I feel I would need guidance anyhow :y
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: willyboy on 11 September 2008, 01:41:37
Mmmm never even thought about needing a tow test just sorted out a used caravan & bought it last year, didnt honestly think was such a thing apart from commercial vehicles, just looking at my license now it says  can drive groups  A-B-BE-B1-C1-C1E-D1-D1E.... :P
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: sir moanalot on 11 September 2008, 07:44:54
it looks huge m8, big enough for everyone on the next meet ? ;D
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: shyboy on 11 September 2008, 08:34:44
Towing a caravan isn't rocket science for goodness sake. Any competent driver can get the hang of it in a very few attempts, and provided weight ratios and speeds are safely observed, it's a doddle.
Let's face it, there's a multi-million pound industry riding on the back of everything connected to modern caravanning, from towing aids to fancy levelling blocks etc.
I  carry out all my servicing and repairs myself and never have any major problems.
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: sir moanalot on 11 September 2008, 08:45:29
i know someone who forgot they had a caravan in tow and tried to get into a local carpark with a height limit barrier, they jammed the van solid and had to get all the tires deflated to ease it back out.
they had damaged the centre join and had to have it repaired costing over £350 numpty. ;D
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: Andy B on 11 September 2008, 08:50:13
Quote
Mmmm never even thought about needing a tow test just sorted out a used caravan & bought it last year, didnt honestly think was such a thing apart from commercial vehicles, just looking at my license now it says  can drive groups  A-B-BE-B1-C1-C1E-D1-D1E.... :P

It's only likely to be a problem if you passed your test after '97, or had tp do a re-test .... I think? :-/
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: Andy B on 11 September 2008, 08:52:56
Quote
It's so unclear, I would rather just take the course, than risk my licence or unwanted plod attention.

Plus, I've not towed on the roads, so I feel I would need guidance anyhow :y

I think that's what the powers-that-be would like, afterall I'm sure they'll be making money from somewhere along the line.
As Shyboy says, it's not exactly difficult, just taking your time & trying to read the road that bit further head.
Title: Re: Sorry had to do it
Post by: Kevin Wood on 11 September 2008, 09:22:12
Quote
Mmmm never even thought about needing a tow test just sorted out a used caravan & bought it last year, didnt honestly think was such a thing apart from commercial vehicles, just looking at my license now it says  can drive groups  A-B-BE-B1-C1-C1E-D1-D1E.... :P

It looks like you have B+E so you should be OK up to the limits of the car.

Quote
Plus, I've not towed on the roads, so I feel I would need guidance anyhow

As said, it's really not that hard. You just have to remember to keep your speed down, leave longer braking distances and bear in mind any overhang when negotiating built-up areas. Once on the open road it's fine.

Worth finding some waste ground where you can practice reversing before you need it in anger to avoid embarrassment!

Kevin