Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Golfbuddy on 19 January 2008, 20:32:25

Title: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 19 January 2008, 20:32:25
It has been suggested that I post a once only FAQ for all things to do with caravans and towing relative to Vauxhall Omega ownership.

It will be a pleasure to make such a contribution but I need some assistance.

Therefore, please could anyone who tows a caravan with their Omega please share with me as much information as you can such as what car you use to tow with, where you got your tow bar fitted, what weight your caravan is, what average mpg you return etc etc. The more information you can submit the better the guide will be. Once it is complete, I hope the admins will post this in the FAQ section so that anyone can look and refer to it.

Please let me have as much information as possible. I hope to do the write up at the end of the week for submission by the end of next weekend. Either post your replies in this thread, or PM me with information.

Perhaps there were questions that you were too afraid to ask, can't think why? Well, ask away, we will try to answer as many as possible to help other owners who are enlightened in the ways of luxury towable holiday accommodation.

 :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Timbuk on 19 January 2008, 20:34:29
JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: theolodian on 19 January 2008, 20:36:53
It hauls my @$$ to work in the morning, can there be anything more difficult?  :P ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: MikeDundee on 19 January 2008, 20:37:09
Wish I could help but never towed or owned a caravam, sure they'll be plenty of experts along soon that can offer useful advice and comments :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 19 January 2008, 20:37:44
Quote
JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

What??  :-? :-? What did I say? :-? :-?

 ::) ::)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: theolodian on 19 January 2008, 20:39:22
Quote
Wish I could help but never towed or owned a caravam, sure they'll be plenty of experts along soon that can offer useful advice and comments :y
No wonder the curry was weak.  ::) ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: theolodian on 19 January 2008, 20:39:55
Quote
Quote
JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

What??  :-? :-? What did I say? :-? :-?

 ::) ::)
Caravan?  [smiley=thumbdown.gif]
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 19 January 2008, 20:40:48
Martin

I will sit down tomorrow and pm you with some info that is relevent to first time caravanners and existing caravanners.

This will bust me once and for all............. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: MikeDundee on 19 January 2008, 20:41:36
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Quote
Wish I could help but never towed or owned a caravam, sure they'll be plenty of experts along soon that can offer useful advice and comments :y
No wonder the curry was weak.  ::) ;D

Personally i thought it was fine, despite missing a couple of minor ingredients :y........Like a proper cooker in a caravan to cook it on ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: theolodian on 19 January 2008, 20:42:34
Quote
Martin

I will sit down tomorrow and pm you with some info that is relevent to first time caravanners and existing caravanners.

This will bust me once and for all............. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Noooooooo! Don't help them!  :'(
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 19 January 2008, 20:43:08
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Quote
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Wish I could help but never towed or owned a caravam, sure they'll be plenty of experts along soon that can offer useful advice and comments :y
No wonder the curry was weak.  ::) ;D

Personally i thought it was fine, despite missing a couple of minor ingredients :y........Like a proper cooker in a caravan to cook it on ;D ;D

You never asked to borrow the cooker. You asked to borrow everything else, which we never had, but the cooker is one thing that you could have used.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: theolodian on 19 January 2008, 20:43:23
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Quote
Quote
Wish I could help but never towed or owned a caravam, sure they'll be plenty of experts along soon that can offer useful advice and comments :y
No wonder the curry was weak.  ::) ;D

Personally i thought it was fine, despite missing a couple of minor ingredients :y........Like a proper cooker in a caravan to cook it on ;D ;D
Oooh, living dangerously!  :o
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: MikeDundee on 19 January 2008, 20:45:08
Quote
Martin

I will sit down tomorrow and pm you with some info that is relevent to first time caravanners and existing caravanners.

This will bust me once and for all............. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Don't forget the piccies now will you :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 19 January 2008, 20:45:11
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Quote
Quote
Wish I could help but never towed or owned a caravam, sure they'll be plenty of experts along soon that can offer useful advice and comments :y
No wonder the curry was weak.  ::) ;D

Personally i thought it was fine, despite missing a couple of minor ingredients :y........Like a proper cooker in a caravan to cook it on ;D ;D

I will post some pics of a proper cooker IN A CARAVAN ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: theolodian on 19 January 2008, 20:45:41
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Wish I could help but never towed or owned a caravam, sure they'll be plenty of experts along soon that can offer useful advice and comments :y
No wonder the curry was weak.  ::) ;D

Personally i thought it was fine, despite missing a couple of minor ingredients :y........Like a proper cooker in a caravan to cook it on ;D ;D

I will post some pics of a proper cooker IN A CARAVAN ;D ;D ;D
Top Gear?  ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: MikeDundee on 19 January 2008, 20:46:10
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Quote
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Quote
Wish I could help but never towed or owned a caravam, sure they'll be plenty of experts along soon that can offer useful advice and comments :y
No wonder the curry was weak.  ::) ;D

Personally i thought it was fine, despite missing a couple of minor ingredients :y........Like a proper cooker in a caravan to cook it on ;D ;D

You never asked to borrow the cooker. You asked to borrow everything else, which we never had, but the cooker is one thing that you could have used.  ;D ;D

I'll remember that next time - Thanks :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: TheBoy on 19 January 2008, 21:09:03
Quote
JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Golfbuddy has the full support of the Admins in writing up a guide on Omegas/towing.
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: theolodian on 19 January 2008, 21:10:00
Quote
Quote
JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Golfbuddy has the full support of the Admins in writing up a guide on Omegas/towing.
Including step 12, petrol and match?  ;) ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 19 January 2008, 21:10:31
Quote
Quote
JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Golfbuddy has the full support of the Admins in writing up a guide on Omegas/towing.

Sshhhhh. Don't tell everyone! I was enjoying the thought of living dangerously.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: theolodian on 19 January 2008, 21:11:20
Quote
Quote
Quote
JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Golfbuddy has the full support of the Admins in writing up a guide on Omegas/towing.

Sshhhhh. Don't tell everyone! I was enjoying the thought of living dangerously.  ;D ;D ;D
Pretender!
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: TheBoy on 19 January 2008, 21:11:44
Quote
Quote
Quote
JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Golfbuddy has the full support of the Admins in writing up a guide on Omegas/towing.
Including step 12, petrol and match?  ;) ;D
Ssssshhhh, I was waiting to catch him unawares on that one ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 19 January 2008, 21:20:35
Quote
Quote
JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Golfbuddy has the full support of the Admins in writing up a guide on Omegas/towing.

 :y :y :y :y :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: theolodian on 19 January 2008, 21:21:21
Quote
Quote
Quote
JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Golfbuddy has the full support of the Admins in writing up a guide on Omegas/towing.

 :y :y :y :y :y
He didn't say that they would post it . . .  ::) ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 19 January 2008, 21:22:03
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Golfbuddy has the full support of the Admins in writing up a guide on Omegas/towing.

 :y :y :y :y :y
He didn't say that they would post it . . .  ::) ;D

Discrimination.... ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 19 January 2008, 21:22:44
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Golfbuddy has the full support of the Admins in writing up a guide on Omegas/towing.

 :y :y :y :y :y
He didn't say that they would post it . . .  ::) ;D

You know what they say, 'Publish and or be damned'.

 :)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Martin_1962 on 19 January 2008, 21:24:18
Well we need to mention tow bars are OK to fit. Wiring is not difficult, it is worth fitting an extra wire for the fridge and use the car loom for the 6 way relay.

I get normally get 16-18mpg on gas, worst ever was 11mpg.

2.0 used to get 17-19 on petrol - best consumption is Shell, occasionally over 20

Autos are very good, even the 2.0 will handle a medium single axle OK if you are prepared to thrash.

V6s are best, all 4 are good tow cars, don't need a supplementary oil cooler.

MV6 suspension is good for towing - self leveling Elite owners please comment, car will happily take red lining up hills without breakdowns. Used to thrash the A30 with the 2.0 and never had a problem.

Always use a stabliser and get the nose weight as near as possible to 75kg. Do not load high in van (Sue)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Vamps on 19 January 2008, 21:54:00
Quote
Quote
Quote
JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Golfbuddy has the full support of the Admins in writing up a guide on Omegas/towing.
Including step 12, petrol and match?  ;) ;D
Have you not got any cliffs???????
 :D :D :D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: theolodian on 19 January 2008, 21:55:33
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Golfbuddy has the full support of the Admins in writing up a guide on Omegas/towing.
Including step 12, petrol and match?  ;) ;D
Have you not got any cliffs???????
 :D :D :D
That's cheating, you need to follow the entire 12 step program or you might regress!  :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Andy B on 19 January 2008, 22:18:34
Quote
..... - self leveling Elite owners please comment,
Works brilliantly - does what it says on the tin. I had a very similar set up years ago though on my 1986 2.2 Carlton


Quote
......... Used to thrash the A30 with the 2.0 and never had a problem.
Thrash along the A30? :-? The best we did was bloody queue along it last summer!  ;)


Quote
..... Always use a stabliser and get the nose weight as near as possible to 75kg. Do not load high in van (Sue)
Untill we bought our current 'van last year complete with the Alko stabiliser hitch, I'd never ever used a stabiliser of any kind. I towed a small 'van with the above Carlton and a fairly large 'van with both my Senators with out any problem at all, both here in the UK & in France and Ireland. I suppose you could call it complacent but I've never actuall measured the nose weight of any 'van we've had, I used the theory that if I can lift the draw bar then it'll be within the 75kg limit, :-/  and a bit of common sense. ie heavy items low down over the axle etc
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 19 January 2008, 22:24:16
Quote
Quote
..... - self leveling Elite owners please comment,
Works brilliantly - does what it says on the tin. I had a very similar set up years ago though on my 1986 2.2 Carlton


Quote
......... Used to thrash the A30 with the 2.0 and never had a problem.
Thrash along the A30? :-? The best we did was bloody queue along it last summer!  ;)


Quote
..... Always use a stabliser and get the nose weight as near as possible to 75kg. Do not load high in van (Sue)
Untill we bought our current 'van last year complete with the Alko stabiliser hitch, I'd never ever used a stabiliser of any kind. I towed a small 'van with the above Carlton and a fairly large 'van with both my Senators with out any problem at all, both here in the UK & in France and Ireland. I suppose you could call it complacent but I've never actuall measured the nose weight of any 'van we've had, I used the theory that if I can lift the draw bar then it'll be within the 75kg limit, :-/  and a bit of common sense. ie heavy items low down over the axle etc

What do people need to consider when buying a tow bar for use with self levelling suspension? I seem to remember when buying mine that certain tow bars weren't suitable for use with this system.
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: theolodian on 19 January 2008, 22:25:10
Quote
Quote
Quote
..... - self leveling Elite owners please comment,
Works brilliantly - does what it says on the tin. I had a very similar set up years ago though on my 1986 2.2 Carlton


Quote
......... Used to thrash the A30 with the 2.0 and never had a problem.
Thrash along the A30? :-? The best we did was bloody queue along it last summer!  ;)


Quote
..... Always use a stabliser and get the nose weight as near as possible to 75kg. Do not load high in van (Sue)
Untill we bought our current 'van last year complete with the Alko stabiliser hitch, I'd never ever used a stabiliser of any kind. I towed a small 'van with the above Carlton and a fairly large 'van with both my Senators with out any problem at all, both here in the UK & in France and Ireland. I suppose you could call it complacent but I've never actuall measured the nose weight of any 'van we've had, I used the theory that if I can lift the draw bar then it'll be within the 75kg limit, :-/  and a bit of common sense. ie heavy items low down over the axle etc

What do people need to consider when buying a tow bar for use with self levelling suspension? I seem to remember when buying mine that certain tow bars weren't suitable for use with this system.
Can't imagine why.
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: smoothomega on 19 January 2008, 22:50:22
All i can say is they go hand in glove  :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 19 January 2008, 23:12:30
Never had a caravan..And no chance to buy..Very expensive here..

I guess you already know this site  ;) ::)

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/toptips/index.html
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 19 January 2008, 23:14:03
Quote
Never had a caravan..And no chance to buy..Very expensive here..

I guess you already know this site  ;) ::)

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/toptips/index.html

Yes mate, i subscribe to their magazine.
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: theolodian on 19 January 2008, 23:15:55
Quote
Quote
Never had a caravan..And no chance to buy..Very expensive here..

I guess you already know this site  ;) ::)

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/toptips/index.html

Yes mate, i subscribe to their magazine.
Oh dear!  :o

Where are the miggy owners under 70, tunnie!  :-/
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 19 January 2008, 23:17:59
Quote
Quote
Quote
Never had a caravan..And no chance to buy..Very expensive here..

I guess you already know this site  ;) ::)

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/toptips/index.html

Yes mate, i subscribe to their magazine.
Oh dear!  :o

Where are the miggy owners under 70, tunnie!  :-/

Who gives a t"ss, I subscribe to it and enjoy the read and the freedom the caravan brings...........slag it all you want
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: theolodian on 19 January 2008, 23:22:53
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Never had a caravan..And no chance to buy..Very expensive here..

I guess you already know this site  ;) ::)

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/toptips/index.html

Yes mate, i subscribe to their magazine.
Oh dear!  :o

Where are the miggy owners under 70, tunnie!  :-/

Who gives a t"ss, I subscribe to it and enjoy the read and the freedom the caravan brings...........slag it all you want
Freedom of the open road - not for everyone else.

Freedom from modern life - not with TV's, etc.

Freedom from high costs - not overall.

A tent is more 'freedom'  ;)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: smoothomega on 19 January 2008, 23:31:20
A good car in front of a good van is what they say and what better car than an omega  :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: hotel21 on 19 January 2008, 23:33:48
Each to their own.

Its no fun erecting or dropping a tent in pissing rain.  Those with the tin huts on wheels simply make a dash to the door and get the kettle on.  When its fair, disconnect from the car, drop the legs and get the awning up etc.  That, to be honest, I do envy.

What I dont envy is the drop in fuel consumption, additional ferry charges for the continent, and the time it takes to get from holiday spot to holiday spot, if you are trying to see and do as much as possible in a short time.  And potentially getting captured in a RHD car on a LHD road behind Reginald and Gertrude with a massively oversized van and underpowered car on a twisty uphill road....

Apart from that, I have all the same stuff as a 'van, except the shower and crapper.  Rather have that stink elsewhere anyways.....   :y

Good luck on your howtoo quest, by the way.   ;)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Vamps on 19 January 2008, 23:34:20
Quote
A good car in front of a good van is what they say and what better car than an omega  :y

A Volvo?
 :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

On my way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: smoothomega on 19 January 2008, 23:39:09
Quote
Quote
A good car in front of a good van is what they say and what better car than an omega  :y

A Volvo?
 :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

On my way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 >:( >:(
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 19 January 2008, 23:52:57
Quote
Each to their own.

Its no fun erecting or dropping a tent in pissing rain.  Those with the tin huts on wheels simply make a dash to the door and get the kettle on.  When its fair, disconnect from the car, drop the legs and get the awning up etc.  That, to be honest, I do envy.

What I dont envy is the drop in fuel consumption, additional ferry charges for the continent, and the time it takes to get from holiday spot to holiday spot, if you are trying to see and do as much as possible in a short time.  And potentially getting captured in a RHD car on a LHD road behind Reginald and Gertrude with a massively oversized van and underpowered car on a twisty uphill road....

Apart from that, I have all the same stuff as a 'van, except the shower and crapper.  Rather have that stink elsewhere anyways.....   :y

Good luck on your howtoo quest, by the way.   ;)

Exactly that, each to there own, we dont use the crapper, we always go to sites with good facilities, the ones we use are super pitches, constant running water and drainage into the drains, plenty of hot water, full kitchen items ie, full cooker,full fridge freezer and microwave and to top that lots of hot blown air and air con for the summer, and somewhere to dry wet cloths after getting rain soaked. And a flat screen freeview dvd tv.stereo and cd player. oh, and a fixed double bed.
 :y :y :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: amigov6 on 20 January 2008, 00:19:07
Easy. Sell your house, buy a big break off Winnebago jobbie & drag your Mig on a rigid bar behind it. Think of the saving on those monthly bills!!! [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 00:21:36
Quote
Easy. Sell your house, buy a big break off Winnebago jobbie & drag your Mig on a rigid bar behind it. Think of the saving on those monthly bills!!! [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

 :y :y :y :y :y :y yeh, that would break everyone off.....30 foot long and 8 foot wide.............good idea ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: shyboy on 20 January 2008, 11:13:13
We now have a ten year old caravan to which we progressed through various 'boxes' on wheels after our kids no longer dragged us out in tents.
It's now a concession to age, but we spent many happy years camping in tents in all sorts of locations. And we still get the fun of being in the open air, seeing nature in the raw, great walking, and good camaraderie.
I just need to buy a caravan mover now.  ::)
Incidentally, I too have scorned most of the so called aids to easy caravanning, like nose weight gauges,  etc. I know there are legal requirements regarding towing weights etc., which I do observe, but there's an awful lot of 'money spinning' crap on the market these days. There's still no substitute for good old common sense driving when towing.
Just wait 'til you young whipper-snappers get a bit older. You'll eventually crave a bit of extra comfort.  :P
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: omegaman2 on 20 January 2008, 12:23:08
bailey beachcomber 440 = 2.2 dti = 29-30 mpg @60-65mph no problem
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Andy B on 20 January 2008, 14:14:32
Quote
....
Quote
...... - self leveling Elite owners please comment,
..... I had a very similar set up years ago though on my 1986 2.2 Carlton


.....Can't imagine why.

?? Cos it did  ;). That's what the original owner, a high up manager at a Vauxhall dealer specified, along with ABS (apparently very rare) and heated front seats (again apparently rare)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: martin12760460 on 20 January 2008, 16:42:16
have  2000w 2.5cdx 2007  abbey 418gts not joined them  yet  :-/
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Dave-C on 20 January 2008, 17:17:04
Quote
Quote
Quote
Wish I could help but never towed or owned a caravam, sure they'll be plenty of experts along soon that can offer useful advice and comments :y
No wonder the curry was weak.  ::) ;D

Personally i thought it was fine, despite missing a couple of minor ingredients :y........Like a proper cooker in a caravan to cook it on ;D ;D

You could have used ours Mike!!!!!

DCx
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: MikeDundee on 20 January 2008, 17:18:29
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Wish I could help but never towed or owned a caravam, sure they'll be plenty of experts along soon that can offer useful advice and comments :y
No wonder the curry was weak.  ::) ;D

Personally i thought it was fine, despite missing a couple of minor ingredients :y........Like a proper cooker in a caravan to cook it on ;D ;D

You could have used ours Mike!!!!!

DCx

Great stuff :y, I'll remember that next time too :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Dave-C on 20 January 2008, 17:22:39
Could start with a table of kerbweights, the 85% ratio for the different models...  wiring diagrams for the 12n 12s and 13 pin.. tyre pressures etc...  think you'll do a great job too Martin, will try to give as much support as do-able..

DC
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 20 January 2008, 17:54:49
Quote
Could start with a table of kerbweights, the 85% ratio for the different models...  wiring diagrams for the 12n 12s and 13 pin.. tyre pressures etc...  think you'll do a great job too Martin, will try to give as much support as do-able..

DC

Cheers Dave.  :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Martin_1962 on 20 January 2008, 19:38:59
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: theolodian on 20 January 2008, 19:55:40
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind
11mpg?!?  :o Dude, get a real tow vehicle! You get better mileage from a stonking big tow vehicle than something that's being overstressed.

Case in point, my parents' massive 7 seater 4x4 with a 300hp 5.4L V8 gets about 20mpg. It can tow 9,000lbs - it would hardly notice one of these caravans! (And no, that does not count as a tow vehicle in the states!)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 19:58:41
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: theolodian on 20 January 2008, 20:01:03
Quote
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(
I did say it's no freedom from high costs.  :-X
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 20:02:40
Quote
Quote
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(
I did say it's no freedom from high costs.  :-X

So you did you clever git ;D ;D ;D ;D watch that door you go through, you may get your head trapped ;D ;D ;D, i will have to go out and get the discovery or range rover
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Martin_1962 on 20 January 2008, 20:22:00
Quote
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Martin_1962 on 20 January 2008, 20:23:34
Quote
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind
11mpg?!?  :o Dude, get a real tow vehicle! You get better mileage from a stonking big tow vehicle than something that's being overstressed.

Case in point, my parents' massive 7 seater 4x4 with a 300hp 5.4L V8 gets about 20mpg. It can tow 9,000lbs - it would hardly notice one of these caravans! (And no, that does not count as a tow vehicle in the states!)

Head winds, hills, xxmph into a strong wind uses gas regardless of engine. Anyway if it was on petrol - it would need to do 24 to the gallon.

On the motorway high teens on gas
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Martin_1962 on 20 January 2008, 20:25:41
This as stated was my worst.

strong head winds make a huge difference as does not holding people up. We wanted to get home, I knew where I could fill up and the fuel is cheap enough not to worry.

Sitting at 40 to 50 on a long drive is likely to send you to sleep
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: tunnie on 20 January 2008, 20:25:44
Quote
Quote
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Auto Addict on 20 January 2008, 20:29:41
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!

But, if nobody towed caravans, TB wouldn't have anything to be grumpy about.....Ah! the photos ;)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 20:31:09
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!

Thats only one opinion, not the opinion of 350,000 other caravanners :y :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: TheBoy on 20 January 2008, 20:31:22
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!

But, if nobody towed caravans, TB wouldn't have anything to be grumpy about.....
Sounds like heaven
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 20:34:28
In fact...........498,000 Touring caravans owned
112,000 mobile homes.

Thats big business, including statics 400,000,

Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: tunnie on 20 January 2008, 20:35:47
Quote
In fact...........498,000 Touring caravans owned
112,000 mobile homes.

Thats big business, including statics 400,000,


Carvans damage the environment!
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Martin_1962 on 20 January 2008, 20:37:54
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!


My CO2 output is pretty low - high on the H2O mind you!

So spending £70 on gas for the return trip for two weeks is more expensive than spending say £50 on petrol and two weeks hotel?

Anyway how would you expect to get 35mpg from an Omega along a hilly A road with a strong head wind and not driving slowly. I suppose you would have a roof box too.

So doing 19mpg along the M5 through Somerset at 70mph is bad, not when that equates to petrol at 38mpg and diesel at over 40mpg
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Martin_1962 on 20 January 2008, 20:38:37
Quote
Quote
In fact...........498,000 Touring caravans owned
112,000 mobile homes.

Thats big business, including statics 400,000,


Carvans damage the environment!


HOw?

And what about package holiday jets?
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 20:39:14
Quote
Quote
In fact...........498,000 Touring caravans owned
112,000 mobile homes.

Thats big business, including statics 400,000,


Carvans damage the environment!

So does the light you have on at the moment......but i dont give a sh"t as i pay for my carbon footprint ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Auto Addict on 20 January 2008, 20:40:02
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!


My CO2 output is pretty low - high on the H2O mind you!

So spending £70 on gas for the return trip for two weeks is more expensive than spending say £50 on petrol and two weeks hotel?Anyway how would you expect to get 35mpg from an Omega along a hilly A road with a strong head wind and not driving slowly. I suppose you would have a roof box too.

So doing 19mpg along the M5 through Somerset at 70mph is bad, not when that equates to petrol at 38mpg and diesel at over 40mpg

Well, there you are then :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 20:40:24
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!


My CO2 output is pretty low - high on the H2O mind you!

So spending £70 on gas for the return trip for two weeks is more expensive than spending say £50 on petrol and two weeks hotel?

Anyway how would you expect to get 35mpg from an Omega along a hilly A road with a strong head wind and not driving slowly. I suppose you would have a roof box too.

So doing 19mpg along the M5 through Somerset at 70mph is bad, not when that equates to petrol at 38mpg and diesel at over 40mpg

 :y :y :y :y :y :y :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 20 January 2008, 20:41:22
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!

Hmmm, 22 mpg compared to the CO2 out of the back of a Boeing 747??? No comparison.

Cost of staying at a campsite for 14 nights compared to a hotel??? No comparison.

Carbon footprint of caravanning compared to staying at a hotel with it's 24 hour lighting, air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, laundry??? No comparison.

It is true that some drivers are inconsiderate and hold traffic up. This does not mean that all people who tow caravans are the same. Many of us will pull over, when safe to do so, and allow other traffic to pass.

Caravanning is not for everyone, thank God. Just as playing computer games is not for everyone. Just as driving everywhere at illegal speeds is not for everyone. Just as a lot of other things are not for everyone.

We caravanners are quite happy to be the butt of the joke but lets not lose sight of the facts.  :y :y :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 20:42:28
No matter what anyone says..................caravans will always be on the roads.................and LPG will go up in price. And there is nothing anyone can do :P :P :P :P
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Martin_1962 on 20 January 2008, 20:43:09
One of the reasons I went for LPG was towing, it was bad enough with the 2.0 and I always use a lot of fuel oon the Exeter - Truro section, and very little on the Bristol Exeter section
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 20:43:56
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!

Hmmm, 22 mpg compared to the CO2 out of the back of a Boeing 747??? No comparison.

Cost of staying at a campsite for 14 nights compared to a hotel??? No comparison.

Carbon footprint of caravanning compared to staying at a hotel with it's 24 hour lighting, air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, laundry??? No comparison.

It is true that some drivers are inconsiderate and hold traffic up. This does not mean that all people who tow caravans are the same. Many of us will pull over, when safe to do so, and allow other traffic to pass.

Caravanning is not for everyone, thank God. Just as playing computer games is not for everyone. Just as driving everywhere at illegal speeds is not for everyone. Just as a lot of other things are not for everyone.

We caravanners are quite happy to be the butt of the joke but lets not lose sight of the facts.  :y :y :y

Well said Martin................. :y :y :y :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Auto Addict on 20 January 2008, 20:45:12
Quote
One of the reasons I went for LPG was towing, it was bad enough with the 2.0 and I always use a lot of fuel oon the Exeter - Truro section, and very little on the Briston Exeter section

Briston - http://www.briston.plus.com/briston/homepage.htm
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: tunnie on 20 January 2008, 20:46:15
Quote
Quote
Quote
In fact...........498,000 Touring caravans owned
112,000 mobile homes.

Thats big business, including statics 400,000,


Carvans damage the environment!


HOw?

And what about package holiday jets?


Very Simple.

If i decide to go to the lake district on a little holiday, with a tent and a sleeping bag in the boot. I will average 30mpg, if not better around 33mpg.

Dragging a burger van you will no do better than 15mpg.

So taking a caravan your putting twice as much pollution into the air.

A car is most economic at 60/70mph depending on the engine, a car will use more fuel doing 40/50mph.... now i have never been behind a caravan that does more than 45mph on an A road... its got a chain of cars behind it, all doing lower speeds, polluting more and more.... if they had been doing 60, they would be far more economical.

Then you have all the cars overtaking using more fuel....

Lets say you do a 400 mile round trip for your holidays...

400 Miles doing 15mpg you will need 26.6 gallons of fuel. At LPG costs say £2.50 a gallon thats = £66

400 miles doing 30mpg you will need just 13.3 gallons of fuel... At Petrol prices say £5 gallon thats = £66 again...

So to get to your place of where ever you are going, it costs the same to get there! But you have polluted 50% less!

Granted LPG does not pump out as much CO2 as petrol, but very few burger van pulling cars are LPG converted, they are mostly 4x4 tractors
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: VXL V6 on 20 January 2008, 20:47:42
Each to their own I say........ But the debate is interesting!


.....So i'll sit back, eat popcorn and watch the debate!


 :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 20 January 2008, 20:47:53
Quote
Quote
2[/sub] out of the back of a Boeing 747??? No comparison.

Cost of staying at a campsite for 14 nights compared to a hotel??? No comparison.

Carbon footprint of caravanning compared to staying at a hotel with it's 24 hour lighting, air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, laundry??? No comparison.

It is true that some drivers are inconsiderate and hold traffic up. This does not mean that all people who tow caravans are the same. Many of us will pull over, when safe to do so, and allow other traffic to pass.

Caravanning is not for everyone, thank God. Just as playing computer games is not for everyone. Just as driving everywhere at illegal speeds is not for everyone. Just as a lot of other things are not for everyone.

We caravanners are quite happy to be the butt of the joke but lets not lose sight of the facts.  :y :y :y

Well said Martin................. :y :y :y :y

Why, thank you Pete.  :)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 20:50:36
Quote
Quote
Quote
2[/sub] out of the back of a Boeing 747??? No comparison.

Cost of staying at a campsite for 14 nights compared to a hotel??? No comparison.

Carbon footprint of caravanning compared to staying at a hotel with it's 24 hour lighting, air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, laundry??? No comparison.

It is true that some drivers are inconsiderate and hold traffic up. This does not mean that all people who tow caravans are the same. Many of us will pull over, when safe to do so, and allow other traffic to pass.

Caravanning is not for everyone, thank God. Just as playing computer games is not for everyone. Just as driving everywhere at illegal speeds is not for everyone. Just as a lot of other things are not for everyone.

We caravanners are quite happy to be the butt of the joke but lets not lose sight of the facts.  :y :y :y

Well said Martin................. :y :y :y :y

Why, thank you Pete.  :)

No probs.............oh and the touring caravan industry is increasing, the industry shows a 20% increase in sales in the month of december.
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: tunnie on 20 January 2008, 20:52:50
taking a carvan is great if you like the style of holiday, but what gets me is the saving money aspect & the 'cheap' holidays, because they are just not!!

I have shown above that it costs the same to get to a place in a regular car vs burger van.

Say you go and buy a brand new caravan costs £10,000....

Sell it in 5 years time for £5,000.... which is more than generous!

Its going to cost you £1,000 per year in depreciation alone!!!

Then you have to store it... £300 a year?

Insure it? £300 a year

Maintain it? Service? £150 a year

So its going to cost you almost £1,800 per year just to have it.....

You can have a lot of holidays in the UK for 1.8k!
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Martin_1962 on 20 January 2008, 20:53:16
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
In fact...........498,000 Touring caravans owned
112,000 mobile homes.

Thats big business, including statics 400,000,


Carvans damage the environment!


HOw?

And what about package holiday jets?


Very Simple.

If i decide to go to the lake district on a little holiday, with a tent and a sleeping bag in the boot. I will average 30mpg, if not better around 33mpg.

Dragging a burger van you will no do better than 15mpg.

So taking a caravan your putting twice as much pollution into the air.

A car is most economic at 60/70mph depending on the engine, a car will use more fuel doing 40/50mph.... now i have never been behind a caravan that does more than 45mph on an A road... its got a chain of cars behind it, all doing lower speeds, polluting more and more.... if they had been doing 60, they would be far more economical.

Then you have all the cars overtaking using more fuel....

Lets say you do a 400 mile round trip for your holidays...

400 Miles doing 15mpg you will need 26.6 gallons of fuel. At LPG costs say £2.50 a gallon thats = £66

400 miles doing 30mpg you will need just 13.3 gallons of fuel... At Petrol prices say £5 gallon thats = £66 again...

So to get to your place of where ever you are going, it costs the same to get there! But you have polluted 50% less!

Granted LPG does not pump out as much CO2 as petrol, but very few burger van pulling cars are LPG converted, they are mostly 4x4 tractors


I do 60 on A roads - I don't hold people up. Also 11 was a worst case not an average case.

Anyway I have 3 children so we need the room and the facilities, we cannot afford even B&B holidays, Sue doesn't like tents.

A lot of vans are pulled by LPG cars - you just don't notice them - I'd say that a lot of V8 Range Rovers are converted.

£2.50 tp the gallon - I filled up at 46p yesterday that is £2.08 even at 50p it is 2.27 - petrol - well I put £5 in today - 4.55l nearly £5 a gallon, can't see my car doing twice the economy without a van.
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 20 January 2008, 20:54:51
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!

Hmmm, 22 mpg compared to the CO2 out of the back of a Boeing 747??? No comparison.

Cost of staying at a campsite for 14 nights compared to a hotel??? No comparison.

Carbon footprint of caravanning compared to staying at a hotel with it's 24 hour lighting, air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, laundry??? No comparison.

It is true that some drivers are inconsiderate and hold traffic up. This does not mean that all people who tow caravans are the same. Many of us will pull over, when safe to do so, and allow other traffic to pass.

Caravanning is not for everyone, thank God. Just as playing computer games is not for everyone. Just as driving everywhere at illegal speeds is not for everyone. Just as a lot of other things are not for everyone.

We caravanners are quite happy to be the butt of the joke but lets not lose sight of the facts.  :y :y :y

 :y :y :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Martin_1962 on 20 January 2008, 20:56:13
Quote
taking a carvan is great if you like the style of holiday, but what gets me is the saving money aspect & the 'cheap' holidays, because they are just not!!

I have shown above that it costs the same to get to a place in a regular car vs burger van.

Say you go and buy a brand new caravan costs £10,000....

Sell it in 5 years time for £5,000.... which is more than generous!

Its going to cost you £1,000 per year in depreciation alone!!!

Then you have to store it... £300 a year?

Insure it? £300 a year

Maintain it? Service? £150 a year

So its going to cost you almost £1,800 per year just to have it.....

You can have a lot of holidays in the UK for 1.8k!


£8000 new, 20 year life span - and it was from money left to a relative.

£300 storage now - used to be £240 - considering bringing it home.

Insurance - not sure.

Can be used up to 4 weeks plus weekends
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 20 January 2008, 20:56:41
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
In fact...........498,000 Touring caravans owned
112,000 mobile homes.

Thats big business, including statics 400,000,


Carvans damage the environment!


HOw?

And what about package holiday jets?


Very Simple.

If i decide to go to the lake district on a little holiday, with a tent and a sleeping bag in the boot. I will average 30mpg, if not better around 33mpg.

Dragging a burger van you will no do better than 15mpg.

So taking a caravan your putting twice as much pollution into the air.

A car is most economic at 60/70mph depending on the engine, a car will use more fuel doing 40/50mph.... now i have never been behind a caravan that does more than 45mph on an A road... its got a chain of cars behind it, all doing lower speeds, polluting more and more.... if they had been doing 60, they would be far more economical.

Then you have all the cars overtaking using more fuel....

Lets say you do a 400 mile round trip for your holidays...

400 Miles doing 15mpg you will need 26.6 gallons of fuel. At LPG costs say £2.50 a gallon thats = £66

400 miles doing 30mpg you will need just 13.3 gallons of fuel... At Petrol prices say £5 gallon thats = £66 again...

So to get to your place of where ever you are going, it costs the same to get there! But you have polluted 50% less!

Granted LPG does not pump out as much CO2 as petrol, but very few burger van pulling cars are LPG converted, they are mostly 4x4 tractors

Hmmm, try to do that with a wife and three kids??

When I was your age, I wouldn't have dreamed of owning a caravan. I had no need for one, I was quite happy to sleep in the car, or in a little tent, or on someone's floor. When I got a little older, I could afford to stay in nice hotels with the wife. When the children came along, it meant that we would have needed two hotel rooms and everything gets more expensive.

As you get older, your priorities change. You have to start thinking about other people rather than yourself. As I said above, if I am holding up traffic, I will pull over when it's safe to do so. Even if that's every five or ten miles.

The real polluters are those that insist on driving everywhere at 80+ MPH and everywhere at over 4,500 revs. Also, those that need to go off to foreign climbs every year.

Each to their own, I have no quarrel with people who want to live their lives like that, I just wish others would be as tolerant.  :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: tunnie on 20 January 2008, 21:01:43
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As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!

Hmmm, 22 mpg compared to the CO2 out of the back of a Boeing 747??? No comparison.

Cost of staying at a campsite for 14 nights compared to a hotel??? No comparison.

Carbon footprint of caravanning compared to staying at a hotel with it's 24 hour lighting, air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, laundry??? No comparison.

It is true that some drivers are inconsiderate and hold traffic up. This does not mean that all people who tow caravans are the same. Many of us will pull over, when safe to do so, and allow other traffic to pass.

Caravanning is not for everyone, thank God. Just as playing computer games is not for everyone. Just as driving everywhere at illegal speeds is not for everyone. Just as a lot of other things are not for everyone.

We caravanners are quite happy to be the butt of the joke but lets not lose sight of the facts.  :y :y :y

 :y :y :y

You take a Boeing 747 on your UK Holidays? :o :o :o :o
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 20 January 2008, 21:04:05
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As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!

Hmmm, 22 mpg compared to the CO2 out of the back of a Boeing 747??? No comparison.

Cost of staying at a campsite for 14 nights compared to a hotel??? No comparison.

Carbon footprint of caravanning compared to staying at a hotel with it's 24 hour lighting, air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, laundry??? No comparison.

It is true that some drivers are inconsiderate and hold traffic up. This does not mean that all people who tow caravans are the same. Many of us will pull over, when safe to do so, and allow other traffic to pass.

Caravanning is not for everyone, thank God. Just as playing computer games is not for everyone. Just as driving everywhere at illegal speeds is not for everyone. Just as a lot of other things are not for everyone.

We caravanners are quite happy to be the butt of the joke but lets not lose sight of the facts.  :y :y :y

 :y :y :y

You take a Boeing 747 on your UK Holidays? :o :o :o :o

Errr, No.  :-/
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: tunnie on 20 January 2008, 21:07:58
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As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!

Hmmm, 22 mpg compared to the CO2 out of the back of a Boeing 747??? No comparison.

Cost of staying at a campsite for 14 nights compared to a hotel??? No comparison.

Carbon footprint of caravanning compared to staying at a hotel with it's 24 hour lighting, air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, laundry??? No comparison.

It is true that some drivers are inconsiderate and hold traffic up. This does not mean that all people who tow caravans are the same. Many of us will pull over, when safe to do so, and allow other traffic to pass.

Caravanning is not for everyone, thank God. Just as playing computer games is not for everyone. Just as driving everywhere at illegal speeds is not for everyone. Just as a lot of other things are not for everyone.

We caravanners are quite happy to be the butt of the joke but lets not lose sight of the facts.  :y :y :y

 :y :y :y

You take a Boeing 747 on your UK Holidays? :o :o :o :o

Errr, No.  :-/

Exactly we are talking about UK holidays? Thats what caravans are mainly used for...

Holidays in the far east or west are a differnt kettle of fish
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 21:08:49
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taking a carvan is great if you like the style of holiday, but what gets me is the saving money aspect & the 'cheap' holidays, because they are just not!!

I have shown above that it costs the same to get to a place in a regular car vs burger van.

Say you go and buy a brand new caravan costs £10,000....

Sell it in 5 years time for £5,000.... which is more than generous!

Its going to cost you £1,000 per year in depreciation alone!!!

Then you have to store it... £300 a year?

Insure it? £300 a year

Maintain it? Service? £150 a year

So its going to cost you almost £1,800 per year just to have it.....

You can have a lot of holidays in the UK for 1.8k!

Van cost £10,000 in 2002, she would still sell at £7500 now, fact

Storage cost me £120 per year under cover

yearly service cost me £80

Insurance cost me £132 per year

 :y :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: tunnie on 20 January 2008, 21:15:48
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taking a carvan is great if you like the style of holiday, but what gets me is the saving money aspect & the 'cheap' holidays, because they are just not!!

I have shown above that it costs the same to get to a place in a regular car vs burger van.

Say you go and buy a brand new caravan costs £10,000....

Sell it in 5 years time for £5,000.... which is more than generous!

Its going to cost you £1,000 per year in depreciation alone!!!

Then you have to store it... £300 a year?

Insure it? £300 a year

Maintain it? Service? £150 a year

So its going to cost you almost £1,800 per year just to have it.....

You can have a lot of holidays in the UK for 1.8k!

Van cost £10,000 in 2002, she would still sell at £7500 now, fact

Storage cost me £120 per year under cover

yearly service cost me £80

Insurance cost me £132 per year

 :y :y

So roughly thats £900 a year just to own it.... then you got to pay to get where you going and pay to stay there.

£900 gets a lot of hotel rooms or apartments!
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Elite Pete on 20 January 2008, 21:18:20
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taking a carvan is great if you like the style of holiday, but what gets me is the saving money aspect & the 'cheap' holidays, because they are just not!!

I have shown above that it costs the same to get to a place in a regular car vs burger van.

Say you go and buy a brand new caravan costs £10,000....

Sell it in 5 years time for £5,000.... which is more than generous!

Its going to cost you £1,000 per year in depreciation alone!!!

Then you have to store it... £300 a year?

Insure it? £300 a year

Maintain it? Service? £150 a year

So its going to cost you almost £1,800 per year just to have it.....

You can have a lot of holidays in the UK for 1.8k!

Van cost £10,000 in 2002, she would still sell at £7500 now, fact

Storage cost me £120 per year under cover

yearly service cost me £80

Insurance cost me £132 per year

 :y :y

So roughly thats £900 a year just to own it.... then you got to pay to get where you going and pay to stay there.

£900 gets a lot of hotel rooms or apartments!

That will only get you a week away in the hotel YMCA ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 21:18:22
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taking a carvan is great if you like the style of holiday, but what gets me is the saving money aspect & the 'cheap' holidays, because they are just not!!

I have shown above that it costs the same to get to a place in a regular car vs burger van.

Say you go and buy a brand new caravan costs £10,000....

Sell it in 5 years time for £5,000.... which is more than generous!

Its going to cost you £1,000 per year in depreciation alone!!!

Then you have to store it... £300 a year?

Insure it? £300 a year

Maintain it? Service? £150 a year

So its going to cost you almost £1,800 per year just to have it.....

You can have a lot of holidays in the UK for 1.8k!

Van cost £10,000 in 2002, she would still sell at £7500 now, fact

Storage cost me £120 per year under cover

yearly service cost me £80

Insurance cost me £132 per year

 :y :y

So roughly thats £900 a year just to own it.... then you got to pay to get where you going and pay to stay there.

£900 gets a lot of hotel rooms or apartments!

not for 3 people it dont ;) ;) ;)
Whats it cost to own your car...........you could use the buses and trains........no, because its not what you want... ;) ;)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Andy B on 20 January 2008, 21:19:20
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...... now i have never been behind a caravan that does more than 45mph on an A road... its got a chain of cars behind it...

You've never been behind me then!! I don't do 40/45mph with or without the 'van! :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 20 January 2008, 21:23:15
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As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!

Hmmm, 22 mpg compared to the CO2 out of the back of a Boeing 747??? No comparison.

Cost of staying at a campsite for 14 nights compared to a hotel??? No comparison.

Carbon footprint of caravanning compared to staying at a hotel with it's 24 hour lighting, air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, laundry??? No comparison.

It is true that some drivers are inconsiderate and hold traffic up. This does not mean that all people who tow caravans are the same. Many of us will pull over, when safe to do so, and allow other traffic to pass.

Caravanning is not for everyone, thank God. Just as playing computer games is not for everyone. Just as driving everywhere at illegal speeds is not for everyone. Just as a lot of other things are not for everyone.

We caravanners are quite happy to be the butt of the joke but lets not lose sight of the facts.  :y :y :y

 :y :y :y

You take a Boeing 747 on your UK Holidays? :o :o :o :o

Errr, No.  :-/

Exactly we are talking about UK holidays? Thats what caravans are mainly used for...

Holidays in the far east or west are a differnt kettle of fish

Quite right. For youngsters like you, camping under canvass for a couple of weeks is great. When you get a bit older, and have a family, you want a bit more comfort and some more convenience that you don't get with a tent.

There are definitely cheaper ways of enjoying the UK and Europe than with a caravan as you know Tunnie, from your European adventure last year with the Senator.

I guess what the caravanners are saying is that the objections/prejudice towards caravans is usually unfair and ill informed. Loads of them hitch up in the middle of the night and drive whilst the roads are quiet so as to miss most of the traffic on the roads. We use less electricity, gas and water than anyone who stays in a hotel.

It is certainly cheaper to camp under canvass, a fact that no one can deny. It's just that loads of people who enjoy camping want a bit more comfort and convenience when they get older. That's why they start caravanning.  :y :y :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Auto Addict on 20 January 2008, 21:24:44
Margaret Beckets got a caravan... ::)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: tunnie on 20 January 2008, 21:24:47
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taking a carvan is great if you like the style of holiday, but what gets me is the saving money aspect & the 'cheap' holidays, because they are just not!!

I have shown above that it costs the same to get to a place in a regular car vs burger van.

Say you go and buy a brand new caravan costs £10,000....

Sell it in 5 years time for £5,000.... which is more than generous!

Its going to cost you £1,000 per year in depreciation alone!!!

Then you have to store it... £300 a year?

Insure it? £300 a year

Maintain it? Service? £150 a year

So its going to cost you almost £1,800 per year just to have it.....

You can have a lot of holidays in the UK for 1.8k!

Van cost £10,000 in 2002, she would still sell at £7500 now, fact

Storage cost me £120 per year under cover

yearly service cost me £80

Insurance cost me £132 per year

 :y :y

So roughly thats £900 a year just to own it.... then you got to pay to get where you going and pay to stay there.

£900 gets a lot of hotel rooms or apartments!

not for 3 people it dont ;) ;) ;)
Whats it cost to own your car...........you could use the buses and trains........no, because its not what you want... ;) ;)

Need to shop around more...

A nice cottage in the Lakes, at peak in June...

For what it costs for the van per year alone, you can stay here for 2 weeks.

Ah but you say, i can go on holiday any time i want.... but lets face it with English weather? no one wants to go on holiday till June, and its all gone by September!

This place sleeps 4, low season £170 a week, peak £470.

So if you want to avoid the peak rush, and busy roads can spend over a month in this place  ;)

http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/availability.aspx?productid=47750&shortbreaksearch=0&StartDate=2008-06-01&Duration=0&StartDateorig=00:00:00&fromLateBargainResults=&hvalue=NaN&fromgrid=1

http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/property-gallery.aspx?productid=47750&shortbreaksearch=0&startdate=2008-06-01&Duration=0&fromLateBargainResults=&hvalue=NaN

http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/property-details.aspx?productid=47750
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 21:24:49
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Quote
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Quote
taking a carvan is great if you like the style of holiday, but what gets me is the saving money aspect & the 'cheap' holidays, because they are just not!!

I have shown above that it costs the same to get to a place in a regular car vs burger van.

Say you go and buy a brand new caravan costs £10,000....

Sell it in 5 years time for £5,000.... which is more than generous!

Its going to cost you £1,000 per year in depreciation alone!!!

Then you have to store it... £300 a year?

Insure it? £300 a year

Maintain it? Service? £150 a year

So its going to cost you almost £1,800 per year just to have it.....

You can have a lot of holidays in the UK for 1.8k!

Van cost £10,000 in 2002, she would still sell at £7500 now, fact

Storage cost me £120 per year under cover

yearly service cost me £80

Insurance cost me £132 per year

 :y :y

So roughly thats £900 a year just to own it.... then you got to pay to get where you going and pay to stay there.

£900 gets a lot of hotel rooms or apartments!

That will only get you a week away in the hotel YMCA ;D

Wey...Hey......here we go......1 2 3    

(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w306/miggyomega/village_people_narrowweb__300x2880.jpg)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 21:28:26
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taking a carvan is great if you like the style of holiday, but what gets me is the saving money aspect & the 'cheap' holidays, because they are just not!!

I have shown above that it costs the same to get to a place in a regular car vs burger van.

Say you go and buy a brand new caravan costs £10,000....

Sell it in 5 years time for £5,000.... which is more than generous!

Its going to cost you £1,000 per year in depreciation alone!!!

Then you have to store it... £300 a year?

Insure it? £300 a year

Maintain it? Service? £150 a year

So its going to cost you almost £1,800 per year just to have it.....

You can have a lot of holidays in the UK for 1.8k!

Van cost £10,000 in 2002, she would still sell at £7500 now, fact

Storage cost me £120 per year under cover

yearly service cost me £80

Insurance cost me £132 per year

 :y :y

So roughly thats £900 a year just to own it.... then you got to pay to get where you going and pay to stay there.

£900 gets a lot of hotel rooms or apartments!

not for 3 people it dont ;) ;) ;)
Whats it cost to own your car...........you could use the buses and trains........no, because its not what you want... ;) ;)

Need to shop around more...

A nice cottage in the Lakes, at peak in June...

For what it costs for the van per year alone, you can stay here for 2 weeks.

Ah but you say, i can go on holiday any time i want.... but lets face it with English weather? no one wants to go on holiday till June, and its all gone by September!
This place sleeps 4, low season £170 a week, peak £470.

So if you want to avoid the peak rush, and busy roads can spend over a month in this place  ;)

http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/availability.aspx?productid=47750&shortbreaksearch=0&StartDate=2008-06-01&Duration=0&StartDateorig=00:00:00&fromLateBargainResults=&hvalue=NaN&fromgrid=1

http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/property-gallery.aspx?productid=47750&shortbreaksearch=0&startdate=2008-06-01&Duration=0&fromLateBargainResults=&hvalue=NaN

http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/property-details.aspx?productid=47750

But i go at anytime no matter what the weather...I love it.

Peak season.£470.I can do it for £210 same area
 ;D ;D ;D :y :y :y

You will never convince me and we agree to disagree ;D ;D ;D :y :y


Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: tunnie on 20 January 2008, 21:28:49
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As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!

Hmmm, 22 mpg compared to the CO2 out of the back of a Boeing 747??? No comparison.

Cost of staying at a campsite for 14 nights compared to a hotel??? No comparison.

Carbon footprint of caravanning compared to staying at a hotel with it's 24 hour lighting, air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, laundry??? No comparison.

It is true that some drivers are inconsiderate and hold traffic up. This does not mean that all people who tow caravans are the same. Many of us will pull over, when safe to do so, and allow other traffic to pass.

Caravanning is not for everyone, thank God. Just as playing computer games is not for everyone. Just as driving everywhere at illegal speeds is not for everyone. Just as a lot of other things are not for everyone.

We caravanners are quite happy to be the butt of the joke but lets not lose sight of the facts.  :y :y :y

 :y :y :y

You take a Boeing 747 on your UK Holidays? :o :o :o :o

Errr, No.  :-/

Exactly we are talking about UK holidays? Thats what caravans are mainly used for...

Holidays in the far east or west are a differnt kettle of fish

Quite right. For youngsters like you, camping under canvass for a couple of weeks is great. When you get a bit older, and have a family, you want a bit more comfort and some more convenience that you don't get with a tent.

There are definitely cheaper ways of enjoying the UK and Europe than with a caravan as you know Tunnie, from your European adventure last year with the Senator.

I guess what the caravanners are saying is that the objections/prejudice towards caravans is usually unfair and ill informed. Loads of them hitch up in the middle of the night and drive whilst the roads are quiet so as to miss most of the traffic on the roads. We use less electricity, gas and water than anyone who stays in a hotel.

It is certainly cheaper to camp under canvass, a fact that no one can deny. It's just that loads of people who enjoy camping want a bit more comfort and convenience when they get older. That's why they start caravanning.  :y :y :y

Oh don't get me wrong, i love camping.... being outside in the fresh air at night, its fantastic, get a disposable BBQ, cans of larger and whey hey!! Chuck the tent in the boot and off we go.

I could not make the transition to a van, i drove to Nottingham on Sat, no rush, so i stuck the cruise on at 65 mph, after 10 mins i was bored silly, so cruise was stuck on at the usual 80mph....

I think the problem is the people who drive 45mph everyware, and NEVER pull over (yet to see that happen!)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 20 January 2008, 21:30:01
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taking a carvan is great if you like the style of holiday, but what gets me is the saving money aspect & the 'cheap' holidays, because they are just not!!

I have shown above that it costs the same to get to a place in a regular car vs burger van.

Say you go and buy a brand new caravan costs £10,000....

Sell it in 5 years time for £5,000.... which is more than generous!

Its going to cost you £1,000 per year in depreciation alone!!!

Then you have to store it... £300 a year?

Insure it? £300 a year

Maintain it? Service? £150 a year

So its going to cost you almost £1,800 per year just to have it.....

You can have a lot of holidays in the UK for 1.8k!

Van cost £10,000 in 2002, she would still sell at £7500 now, fact

Storage cost me £120 per year under cover

yearly service cost me £80

Insurance cost me £132 per year

 :y :y

So roughly thats £900 a year just to own it.... then you got to pay to get where you going and pay to stay there.

£900 gets a lot of hotel rooms or apartments!

not for 3 people it dont ;) ;) ;)
Whats it cost to own your car...........you could use the buses and trains........no, because its not what you want... ;) ;)

Need to shop around more...

A nice cottage in the Lakes, at peak in June...

For what it costs for the van per year alone, you can stay here for 2 weeks.

Ah but you say, i can go on holiday any time i want.... but lets face it with English weather? no one wants to go on holiday till June, and its all gone by September!
This place sleeps 4, low season £170 a week, peak £470.

So if you want to avoid the peak rush, and busy roads can spend over a month in this place  ;)

http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/availability.aspx?productid=47750&shortbreaksearch=0&StartDate=2008-06-01&Duration=0&StartDateorig=00:00:00&fromLateBargainResults=&hvalue=NaN&fromgrid=1

http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/property-gallery.aspx?productid=47750&shortbreaksearch=0&startdate=2008-06-01&Duration=0&fromLateBargainResults=&hvalue=NaN

http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/property-details.aspx?productid=47750

But i go at anytime no matter what the weather...I love it.

Peak season.£470.I can do it for £210 same area
 ;D ;D ;D :y :y :y

You will never convince me and we agree to disagree ;D ;D ;D :y :y



Don't tell him where you've just been Pete.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: tunnie on 20 January 2008, 21:30:43
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taking a carvan is great if you like the style of holiday, but what gets me is the saving money aspect & the 'cheap' holidays, because they are just not!!

I have shown above that it costs the same to get to a place in a regular car vs burger van.

Say you go and buy a brand new caravan costs £10,000....

Sell it in 5 years time for £5,000.... which is more than generous!

Its going to cost you £1,000 per year in depreciation alone!!!

Then you have to store it... £300 a year?

Insure it? £300 a year

Maintain it? Service? £150 a year

So its going to cost you almost £1,800 per year just to have it.....

You can have a lot of holidays in the UK for 1.8k!

Van cost £10,000 in 2002, she would still sell at £7500 now, fact

Storage cost me £120 per year under cover

yearly service cost me £80

Insurance cost me £132 per year

 :y :y

So roughly thats £900 a year just to own it.... then you got to pay to get where you going and pay to stay there.

£900 gets a lot of hotel rooms or apartments!

not for 3 people it dont ;) ;) ;)
Whats it cost to own your car...........you could use the buses and trains........no, because its not what you want... ;) ;)

Need to shop around more...

A nice cottage in the Lakes, at peak in June...

For what it costs for the van per year alone, you can stay here for 2 weeks.

Ah but you say, i can go on holiday any time i want.... but lets face it with English weather? no one wants to go on holiday till June, and its all gone by September!
This place sleeps 4, low season £170 a week, peak £470.

So if you want to avoid the peak rush, and busy roads can spend over a month in this place  ;)

http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/availability.aspx?productid=47750&shortbreaksearch=0&StartDate=2008-06-01&Duration=0&StartDateorig=00:00:00&fromLateBargainResults=&hvalue=NaN&fromgrid=1

http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/property-gallery.aspx?productid=47750&shortbreaksearch=0&startdate=2008-06-01&Duration=0&fromLateBargainResults=&hvalue=NaN

http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/property-details.aspx?productid=47750

But i go at anytime no matter what the weather...I love it.

Peak season.£470.I can do it for £210 same area
 ;D ;D ;D :y :y :y

You will never convince me and we agree to disagree ;D ;D ;D :y :y



You must post up a picture of your megga hitched up to the van, i don't think i have ever seen a bling'd up car with massive alloys pulling a van before!  ;D ;D ;D

Get the sub pounding, head nodding while pulling a van.... everyone else will be WTF?  ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 21:31:45
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As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!

Hmmm, 22 mpg compared to the CO2 out of the back of a Boeing 747??? No comparison.

Cost of staying at a campsite for 14 nights compared to a hotel??? No comparison.

Carbon footprint of caravanning compared to staying at a hotel with it's 24 hour lighting, air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, laundry??? No comparison.

It is true that some drivers are inconsiderate and hold traffic up. This does not mean that all people who tow caravans are the same. Many of us will pull over, when safe to do so, and allow other traffic to pass.

Caravanning is not for everyone, thank God. Just as playing computer games is not for everyone. Just as driving everywhere at illegal speeds is not for everyone. Just as a lot of other things are not for everyone.

We caravanners are quite happy to be the butt of the joke but lets not lose sight of the facts.  :y :y :y

 :y :y :y

You take a Boeing 747 on your UK Holidays? :o :o :o :o

Errr, No.  :-/

Exactly we are talking about UK holidays? Thats what caravans are mainly used for...

Holidays in the far east or west are a differnt kettle of fish

Quite right. For youngsters like you, camping under canvass for a couple of weeks is great. When you get a bit older, and have a family, you want a bit more comfort and some more convenience that you don't get with a tent.

There are definitely cheaper ways of enjoying the UK and Europe than with a caravan as you know Tunnie, from your European adventure last year with the Senator.

I guess what the caravanners are saying is that the objections/prejudice towards caravans is usually unfair and ill informed. Loads of them hitch up in the middle of the night and drive whilst the roads are quiet so as to miss most of the traffic on the roads. We use less electricity, gas and water than anyone who stays in a hotel.

It is certainly cheaper to camp under canvass, a fact that no one can deny. It's just that loads of people who enjoy camping want a bit more comfort and convenience when they get older. That's why they start caravanning.  :y :y :y

Oh don't get me wrong, i love camping.... being outside in the fresh air at night, its fantastic, get a disposable BBQ, cans of larger and whey hey!! Chuck the tent in the boot and off we go.

I could not make the transition to a van, i drove to Nottingham on Sat, no rush, so i stuck the cruise on at 65 mph, after 10 mins i was bored silly, so cruise was stuck on at the usual 80mph....

I think the problem is the people who drive 45mph everyware, and NEVER pull over (yet to see that happen!)

You are deffo right there...but that only accounts for a smal proportion of the amount of caravanners out there.........If we ever meet at a meet I will invite you into our van for a few beers :y :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: MikeDundee on 20 January 2008, 21:33:47
None of my mates have got a caravan :P............come to think of it I don't have any mates?? ;D [smiley=beer.gif]
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 21:35:07
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taking a carvan is great if you like the style of holiday, but what gets me is the saving money aspect & the 'cheap' holidays, because they are just not!!

I have shown above that it costs the same to get to a place in a regular car vs burger van.

Say you go and buy a brand new caravan costs £10,000....

Sell it in 5 years time for £5,000.... which is more than generous!

Its going to cost you £1,000 per year in depreciation alone!!!

Then you have to store it... £300 a year?

Insure it? £300 a year

Maintain it? Service? £150 a year

So its going to cost you almost £1,800 per year just to have it.....

You can have a lot of holidays in the UK for 1.8k!

Van cost £10,000 in 2002, she would still sell at £7500 now, fact

Storage cost me £120 per year under cover

yearly service cost me £80

Insurance cost me £132 per year

 :y :y

So roughly thats £900 a year just to own it.... then you got to pay to get where you going and pay to stay there.

£900 gets a lot of hotel rooms or apartments!

not for 3 people it dont ;) ;) ;)
Whats it cost to own your car...........you could use the buses and trains........no, because its not what you want... ;) ;)

Need to shop around more...

A nice cottage in the Lakes, at peak in June...

For what it costs for the van per year alone, you can stay here for 2 weeks.

Ah but you say, i can go on holiday any time i want.... but lets face it with English weather? no one wants to go on holiday till June, and its all gone by September!
This place sleeps 4, low season £170 a week, peak £470.

So if you want to avoid the peak rush, and busy roads can spend over a month in this place  ;)

http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/availability.aspx?productid=47750&shortbreaksearch=0&StartDate=2008-06-01&Duration=0&StartDateorig=00:00:00&fromLateBargainResults=&hvalue=NaN&fromgrid=1

http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/property-gallery.aspx?productid=47750&shortbreaksearch=0&startdate=2008-06-01&Duration=0&fromLateBargainResults=&hvalue=NaN

http://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/property-details.aspx?productid=47750

But i go at anytime no matter what the weather...I love it.

Peak season.£470.I can do it for £210 same area
 ;D ;D ;D :y :y :y

You will never convince me and we agree to disagree ;D ;D ;D :y :y



Don't tell him where you've just been Pete.  ;D ;D ;D

And that just prooved my point............I could have done it in the caravan for a third of the price, the only reason i did that was because i aint had a tow bar fitted yet, otherwise it would have been in the van.
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 21:35:59
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None of my mates have got a caravan :P............come to think of it I don't have any mates?? ;D [smiley=beer.gif]

Oh sorry to here that Billy   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 21:38:47
Not bad..104 replys to the topic.....poor old Martin only has about 6 of them on advice............sorry mate
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: MikeDundee on 20 January 2008, 21:39:27
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None of my mates have got a caravan :P............come to think of it I don't have any mates?? ;D [smiley=beer.gif]

Oh sorry to here that Billy   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


Ermm excuse me but my name is Mike :y, but you can call me Mikey no mates ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 20 January 2008, 21:40:17
Interesting as all this debate over the merits, or otherwise, of caravanning is. I am still waiting for more information to help me in writing the 'Omega Caravan Towing Guide' (catchy huh?)

Please keep the handy hints and tips coming. I will have to wade through all of this to pick out the best bits.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 21:41:12
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None of my mates have got a caravan :P............come to think of it I don't have any mates?? ;D [smiley=beer.gif]

Oh sorry to here that Billy   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


Ermm excuse me but my name is Mike :y, but you can call me Mikey no mates ;D ;D

No.Billy no mates sounds best.


Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 20 January 2008, 21:41:33
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In fact...........498,000 Touring caravans owned
112,000 mobile homes.

Thats big business, including statics 400,000,


Carvans damage the environment!

Not that i own a caravan.........but i think boollocks!!

Marriott hotel round the corner from me........keeps it outside lights on all night.........keeps all the lights on in corridors....stairways......aircon on 24hrs a day.......plus all the other electrical needs it uses.....

Ok Camping/caranvaning is an alternative........camping maybe cheaper......but Hotels carbon footprint must be massive!!

id have a guess that the Marriott Hotel round the corner from me........must have a leccy bill of getting towards £5K a month.........now that aint green!!
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: tunnie on 20 January 2008, 21:42:02
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As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!

Hmmm, 22 mpg compared to the CO2 out of the back of a Boeing 747??? No comparison.

Cost of staying at a campsite for 14 nights compared to a hotel??? No comparison.

Carbon footprint of caravanning compared to staying at a hotel with it's 24 hour lighting, air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, laundry??? No comparison.

It is true that some drivers are inconsiderate and hold traffic up. This does not mean that all people who tow caravans are the same. Many of us will pull over, when safe to do so, and allow other traffic to pass.

Caravanning is not for everyone, thank God. Just as playing computer games is not for everyone. Just as driving everywhere at illegal speeds is not for everyone. Just as a lot of other things are not for everyone.

We caravanners are quite happy to be the butt of the joke but lets not lose sight of the facts.  :y :y :y

 :y :y :y

You take a Boeing 747 on your UK Holidays? :o :o :o :o

Errr, No.  :-/

Exactly we are talking about UK holidays? Thats what caravans are mainly used for...

Holidays in the far east or west are a differnt kettle of fish

Quite right. For youngsters like you, camping under canvass for a couple of weeks is great. When you get a bit older, and have a family, you want a bit more comfort and some more convenience that you don't get with a tent.

There are definitely cheaper ways of enjoying the UK and Europe than with a caravan as you know Tunnie, from your European adventure last year with the Senator.

I guess what the caravanners are saying is that the objections/prejudice towards caravans is usually unfair and ill informed. Loads of them hitch up in the middle of the night and drive whilst the roads are quiet so as to miss most of the traffic on the roads. We use less electricity, gas and water than anyone who stays in a hotel.

It is certainly cheaper to camp under canvass, a fact that no one can deny. It's just that loads of people who enjoy camping want a bit more comfort and convenience when they get older. That's why they start caravanning.  :y :y :y

Oh don't get me wrong, i love camping.... being outside in the fresh air at night, its fantastic, get a disposable BBQ, cans of larger and whey hey!! Chuck the tent in the boot and off we go.

I could not make the transition to a van, i drove to Nottingham on Sat, no rush, so i stuck the cruise on at 65 mph, after 10 mins i was bored silly, so cruise was stuck on at the usual 80mph....

I think the problem is the people who drive 45mph everyware, and NEVER pull over (yet to see that happen!)

You are deffo right there...but that only accounts for a smal proportion of the amount of caravanners out there.........If we ever meet at a meet I will invite you into our van for a few beers :y :y

Deal!  :y

Although you must know some very fast van drivers!! most i have seen barely touch 50mph!

Although i saw one the other day did make me laugh.

Had a A4 peice of paper taped to the back window said "Sorry for the delay to your journey, have a nice day  :)"
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: tunnie on 20 January 2008, 21:43:42
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In fact...........498,000 Touring caravans owned
112,000 mobile homes.

Thats big business, including statics 400,000,




Carvans damage the environment!

Not that i own a caravan.........but i think boollocks!!

Marriott hotel round the corner from me........keeps it outside lights on all night.........keeps all the lights on in corridors....stairways......aircon on 24hrs a day.......plus all the other electrical needs it uses.....

Ok Camping/caranvaning is an alternative........camping maybe cheaper......but Hotels carbon footprint must be massive!!

id have a guess that the Marriott Hotel round the corner from me........must have a leccy bill of getting towards £5K a month.........now that aint green!!

Ahhh but wait till all those shinny new Nuke powerstations are built... then its emmision free power!  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: MikeDundee on 20 January 2008, 21:44:10
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None of my mates have got a caravan :P............come to think of it I don't have any mates?? ;D [smiley=beer.gif]

Oh sorry to here that Billy   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


Ermm excuse me but my name is Mike :y, but you can call me Mikey no mates ;D ;D

No.Billy no mates sounds best.



I've just remembered I do have a couple of mates ::), so I'll stick with Mike until further notice ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 21:44:16
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As for my consumption - I do tend to keep to road limits when safe, and also I don't slow for hills, the 11mpg was acheived with the aid of lots of hills and a head wind

rather hell..11mpg in the 2.6 whilst towing...................thats it the caravan is going ;D ;D ;D ;D i aint towed with mine as yet, having the tow bar fitted in Feb, but if thats all to expect from the milage.......forget it. >:( >:( >:( >:(


20-30mph head winds, flat out up steep hills, stop start through Truro on LPG - anyway at 45p a litre or so does it matter?

Works out as around 13 on petrol and without the wind is a lot better.

Point is your still getting 11mpg! which is 22mpg petrol costs....

For me this just makes taking a caravan pointless!!

Everyone is banging on about CO2 emmisions, 4x4's that do 25mpg.... no one has mentioned people towing burger vans doing 11mpg!!

Drive to a hotel in a normal car doing 35mpg.... money save on fuel goes toward the hotel bill!

Hmmm, 22 mpg compared to the CO2 out of the back of a Boeing 747??? No comparison.

Cost of staying at a campsite for 14 nights compared to a hotel??? No comparison.

Carbon footprint of caravanning compared to staying at a hotel with it's 24 hour lighting, air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, laundry??? No comparison.

It is true that some drivers are inconsiderate and hold traffic up. This does not mean that all people who tow caravans are the same. Many of us will pull over, when safe to do so, and allow other traffic to pass.

Caravanning is not for everyone, thank God. Just as playing computer games is not for everyone. Just as driving everywhere at illegal speeds is not for everyone. Just as a lot of other things are not for everyone.

We caravanners are quite happy to be the butt of the joke but lets not lose sight of the facts.  :y :y :y

 :y :y :y

You take a Boeing 747 on your UK Holidays? :o :o :o :o

Errr, No.  :-/

Exactly we are talking about UK holidays? Thats what caravans are mainly used for...

Holidays in the far east or west are a differnt kettle of fish

Quite right. For youngsters like you, camping under canvass for a couple of weeks is great. When you get a bit older, and have a family, you want a bit more comfort and some more convenience that you don't get with a tent.

There are definitely cheaper ways of enjoying the UK and Europe than with a caravan as you know Tunnie, from your European adventure last year with the Senator.

I guess what the caravanners are saying is that the objections/prejudice towards caravans is usually unfair and ill informed. Loads of them hitch up in the middle of the night and drive whilst the roads are quiet so as to miss most of the traffic on the roads. We use less electricity, gas and water than anyone who stays in a hotel.

It is certainly cheaper to camp under canvass, a fact that no one can deny. It's just that loads of people who enjoy camping want a bit more comfort and convenience when they get older. That's why they start caravanning.  :y :y :y

Oh don't get me wrong, i love camping.... being outside in the fresh air at night, its fantastic, get a disposable BBQ, cans of larger and whey hey!! Chuck the tent in the boot and off we go.

I could not make the transition to a van, i drove to Nottingham on Sat, no rush, so i stuck the cruise on at 65 mph, after 10 mins i was bored silly, so cruise was stuck on at the usual 80mph....

I think the problem is the people who drive 45mph everyware, and NEVER pull over (yet to see that happen!)

You are deffo right there...but that only accounts for a smal proportion of the amount of caravanners out there.........If we ever meet at a meet I will invite you into our van for a few beers :y :y

Deal!  :y

Although you must know some very fast van drivers!! most i have seen barely touch 50mph!

Although i saw one the other day did make me laugh.

Had a A4 peice of paper taped to the back window said "Sorry for the delay to your journey, have a nice day  :)"

 ;D ;D ;D Remember the ones that said SLOW.Running in... ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 20 January 2008, 21:44:25
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Not bad..104 replys to the topic.....poor old Martin only has about 6 of them on advice............sorry mate

LMAO. You beat me to it.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 21:46:01
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None of my mates have got a caravan :P............come to think of it I don't have any mates?? ;D [smiley=beer.gif]

Oh sorry to here that Billy   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


Ermm excuse me but my name is Mike :y, but you can call me Mikey no mates ;D ;D

No.Billy no mates sounds best.



I've just remembered I do have a couple of mates ::), so I'll stick with Mike until further notice ;D

Are they ribblers or ticklers.. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: MikeDundee on 20 January 2008, 21:46:32
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In fact...........498,000 Touring caravans owned
112,000 mobile homes.

Thats big business, including statics 400,000,




Carvans damage the environment!

Not that i own a caravan.........but i think boollocks!!

Marriott hotel round the corner from me........keeps it outside lights on all night.........keeps all the lights on in corridors....stairways......aircon on 24hrs a day.......plus all the other electrical needs it uses.....

Ok Camping/caranvaning is an alternative........camping maybe cheaper......but Hotels carbon footprint must be massive!!

id have a guess that the Marriott Hotel round the corner from me........must have a leccy bill of getting towards £5K a month.........now that aint green!!

Ahhh but wait till all those shinny new Nuke powerstations are built... then its emmision free power!  ;D ;D

Yeah buts its not free power, we end up paying for them to be built, and end up getting charged fortune in bills on power to keep them running, will never be free ::)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 20 January 2008, 21:46:32
Here you go Pete. Perfect for your next trip to Dartmoor to see your Tiger.  :y

(http://www.rvtravel.com/blog/weirdrvs/uploaded_images/burningmanrv-723318.jpg)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 20 January 2008, 21:47:51
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Here you go Pete. Perfect for your next trip to Dartmoor to see your Tiger.  :y

(http://www.rvtravel.com/blog/weirdrvs/uploaded_images/burningmanrv-723318.jpg)

LMAO. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: CaptainZok on 20 January 2008, 21:50:08
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Here you go Pete. Perfect for your next trip to Dartmoor to see your Tiger.  :y

(http://www.rvtravel.com/blog/weirdrvs/uploaded_images/burningmanrv-723318.jpg)
Wonder why its called burningman, is TB expected? ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Martin_1962 on 20 January 2008, 21:50:09
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None of my mates have got a caravan :P............come to think of it I don't have any mates?? ;D [smiley=beer.gif]


Me, Miggy, Golf Buddy, to name but 3
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 20 January 2008, 21:53:28
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Here you go Pete. Perfect for your next trip to Dartmoor to see your Tiger.  :y

(http://www.rvtravel.com/blog/weirdrvs/uploaded_images/burningmanrv-723318.jpg)
Wonder why its called burningman, is TB expected? ;D

Trust you to spot that.  ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 21 January 2008, 18:07:35
Any more for any more??

If you're unsure what this is all about, please read my opening post as this appears to have gone a little off track. Not that threads normally go off track on this forum.  ::)

The more info I have the better the final product will be, I hope.  :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Entwood on 21 January 2008, 20:01:01
okies .. I'll bite ... watches postcount carefully .....

I tow a 2007 Abbey GTS 416 with a max permitted weight of 1600Kgs. I have fitted Alko dampers to this for added stability .. not that it really needed them.

I used to tow with a Ford Granada Scorpio and always thought that would not be bettered as a tow car .. until I first used the Meega.

Heavy, powerful, with excellent brakes, self levelling suspension, good visibility. A large boot and comfortable interior enables 4 adults and all the kit to travel long distances (we go to France with the van every year) in supreme comfort. Stability was very good before the dampers  is now excellent - the dampers help stop tramlining on motorways and the sway you get from HGV/Coaches.

The Cruise Control makes towing on motorways simplicity itself, and the autobox does not "hunt" like many. Kickdown power for hills/overtaking is magnificent.

Only downside is it can get a tad thirsty, cruising at around 65 on a motorway I get around 20 mpg towing, get onto country lanes/town centres and it drops rapidly to around 15. France last year averaged a smidge over 20mpg

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1187538758 for the really bored .. :)

I would highly recommend the meega as a tow car :)

Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: tunnie on 21 January 2008, 20:09:08
Quote
Any more for any more??

If you're unsure what this is all about, please read my opening post as this appears to have gone a little off track. Not that threads normally go off track on this forum.  ::)

The more info I have the better the final product will be, I hope.  :y

General slag off i thought?  ;)  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 21 January 2008, 20:11:04
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Quote
Any more for any more??

If you're unsure what this is all about, please read my opening post as this appears to have gone a little off track. Not that threads normally go off track on this forum.  ::)

The more info I have the better the final product will be, I hope.  :y

General slag off i thought?  ;)  ;D ;D ;D

And it made no difference to us caravan owners... ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Kevin Wood on 21 January 2008, 20:26:41
Not caravan related but I use my Omega to tow a glider in a trailer.

The trailer is, at a guess, 8 or 9 metres long. I have not the slightest idea what it weighs but the glider alone is IRO 300kg and the trailer is substantial. Steel framed with an ali skin.

Due to their length these can be nasty loads to tow.

The Omega tows this very nicely indeed. Power is obviously not an issue. Except on hills, it wasnt with my previous 1.8 8v Laguna TBH. I have burnt an unsuspecting, and slow reacting, chav off the lights with it behind the Omega, however ;D

The Omega is much more stable than the Laguna, which wasn't rated badly as a tow car itself. I don't bother with a stabiliser as I generally don't set out to tow this over long distances at high speeds, and I don't always tow my own glider, so when I do have one on the back, I'm happy to plod along.

Having said that, the Omega will tow it happily at 60 without the slightest hint of snaking, even when descending hills. The Laguna let you know firmly when you let the speed get this high. :o

Towing at 60 ish, it'll sit in 4th gear at 2200 RPM (Auto) on cruise and only change down for the hills. It returns about 25 MPG doing so. I find cruise an absolute boon for towing as it's vital not to let your speed creep up, and this is only too easy in a V6.

Towbar wise I'm using Elite Pete's old Westfalia removable bar, which is a great piece of kit. Totally invisible when removed, easy to attach and solid once in place. It does have a steel bracing plate that bolts to the boot floor, however, which can be a nuisance. I fitted it myself in a couple of hours. No problem at all.

Electrics wise, I connected everything from the towing connector in the boot, after adding a wire to bridge the (absent) towing bulb failure sensor for the brake light circuit which was located behind and to the left of the glove compartment on my car. Details are all in the "Omega Electrical" section.

Anyway, that's about all the pearls of wisdom I've got on the subject.

Kevin
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Andy B on 21 January 2008, 21:01:33
Quote
....... It does have a steel bracing plate that bolts to the boot floor, however, which can be a nuisance.......

As does the Bosal swan neck. I cut a piece of old carpet around the bracing plate to try to make the folded up bits less obvious. When the original carpet is over the top you can hardly tell the brace is there.
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: tunnie on 21 January 2008, 21:09:00
Quote
Quote
Quote
Any more for any more??

If you're unsure what this is all about, please read my opening post as this appears to have gone a little off track. Not that threads normally go off track on this forum.  ::)

The more info I have the better the final product will be, I hope.  :y

General slag off i thought?  ;)  ;D ;D ;D

And it made no difference to us caravan owners... ;D ;D

All right then a good old b!tch fight!

With us caravanless people get to moan  ;)  ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 21 January 2008, 21:11:15
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Any more for any more??

If you're unsure what this is all about, please read my opening post as this appears to have gone a little off track. Not that threads normally go off track on this forum.  ::)

The more info I have the better the final product will be, I hope.  :y

General slag off i thought?  ;)  ;D ;D ;D

And it made no difference to us caravan owners... ;D ;D

All right then a good old b!tch fight!

With us caravanless people get to moan  ;)  ;D

And we still dont care... ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Dave-C on 22 January 2008, 20:22:40
Quote
Quote
....... It does have a steel bracing plate that bolts to the boot floor, however, which can be a nuisance.......

As does the Bosal swan neck. I cut a piece of old carpet around the bracing plate to try to make the folded up bits less obvious. When the original carpet is over the top you can hardly tell the brace is there.

Don't for get to cut away the sound proofing prior to fitting the plate too, otherwise your nuts will come lose as it compacts!!!!! :exclamation

Sounds painful I know, even more painful if you lose your van at 60 mph :exclamation

DC
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: MikeDundee on 22 January 2008, 20:24:43
Quote
Quote
None of my mates have got a caravan :P............come to think of it I don't have any mates?? ;D [smiley=beer.gif]


Me, Miggy, Golf Buddy, to name but 3

Ahh thanks Martin, you just reminded me that Dave C should be on the above list aswell :y
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Kevin Wood on 22 January 2008, 20:25:39
Ahh, top tip here. To remove the sound proofing you need a hot air paint stripper and a decorator's chisel. Heat it up a little and it melts and goes like butter. You'll never get it off cold :o

Once you've fitted a tow bar, check the torque on all mountings after its' first trip towing just in case anything has shifted.

Kevin
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: MikeDundee on 22 January 2008, 20:26:36
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Any more for any more??

If you're unsure what this is all about, please read my opening post as this appears to have gone a little off track. Not that threads normally go off track on this forum.  ::)

The more info I have the better the final product will be, I hope.  :y

General slag off i thought?  ;)  ;D ;D ;D

And it made no difference to us caravan owners... ;D ;D

All right then a good old b!tch fight!

With us caravanless people get to moan  ;)  ;D

Thats a great idea Tunnie, totally agree ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 22 January 2008, 20:29:46
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Any more for any more??

If you're unsure what this is all about, please read my opening post as this appears to have gone a little off track. Not that threads normally go off track on this forum.  ::)

The more info I have the better the final product will be, I hope.  :y

General slag off i thought?  ;)  ;D ;D ;D

And it made no difference to us caravan owners... ;D ;D

All right then a good old b!tch fight!

With us caravanless OLD people get to moan  ;)  ;D


You said it..... ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Dave-C on 22 January 2008, 20:32:03
Quote
Ahh, top tip here. To remove the sound proofing you need a hot air paint stripper and a decorator's chisel. Heat it up a little and it melts and goes like butter. You'll never get it off cold :o

Once you've fitted a tow bar, check the torque on all mountings after its' first trip towing just in case anything has shifted.

Kevin

Pop a few locknuts on too... I did...

DC

We're off to Portugal on Friday, so I'll quite be looking forward to following the thread when we come back..
DC


Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Dave-C on 22 January 2008, 20:39:00
This may be of use, I have one of these on my Meega, they are very useful as they save wiring in the old conventional way, i.e. alternator trigger lead / engine running feed.

http://www.rydertowing.co.uk/towbar_relay_technical/towbar_relays_TF1170.htm
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Kevin Wood on 22 January 2008, 20:46:18
Also worth mentioning there's a fairly substantial 12v feed to the towing socket (from fuse 29 IIRC) already fited to Omegas.

Kevin
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Dave-C on 22 January 2008, 20:52:24
I recall fitting mine, noticed that the brake light feed was dead, had to run a feed directly fron the wiring to a bulb at the cluster...  did I miss something????
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Andy B on 22 January 2008, 21:26:21
Quote
I recall fitting mine, noticed that the brake light feed was dead, had to run a feed directly fron the wiring to a bulb at the cluster...  did I miss something????

As said, the socket for the brake lights is dead until you either plug in the trailer bulb failure 'relay' that lives either above the driver's feet (as my 99 pre face lift) or behind the glove box on face lift cars. Or you can bridge the terminals or do as you have done. The trailer failure 'relay' was only £16 though.
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Golfbuddy on 22 January 2008, 22:27:45
Thanks for the info on the towing socket. I would love to find out more about this. Would anyone be prepared to post a photo of it along with details of what wire does what? Perhaps a simple wiring layout along with details of what relay needs to be put where, along with pics if possible. I'm sure that many people would find this really helpful and allow for a far neater installation.

Martin
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Kevin Wood on 22 January 2008, 22:46:07
I'll see what I can do :y

Kevin
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Dave-C on 23 January 2008, 17:54:32
Quote
Quote
I recall fitting mine, noticed that the brake light feed was dead, had to run a feed directly fron the wiring to a bulb at the cluster...  did I miss something????

As said, the socket for the brake lights is dead until you either plug in the trailer bulb failure 'relay' that lives either above the driver's feet (as my 99 pre face lift) or behind the glove box on face lift cars. Or you can bridge the terminals or do as you have done. The trailer failure 'relay' was only £16 though.

Which position did the relay go in on your 1999 Meega?  
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: MikeDundee on 23 January 2008, 18:19:14
I am thinking of buying a P-type wagon ::), but I have been told that my rear bumper is not suitable to fit a towbar or suitable for towing, any advice would be useful ::)
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: miggy on 23 January 2008, 18:57:03
Quote
I am thinking of buying a P-type wagon ::), but I have been told that my rear bumper is not suitable to fit a towbar or suitable for towing, any advice would be useful ::)

Thats true Mike, Vx told me that when i was gonna have the irmscher fitted to the other Miggy, they did say that they could have done it by taking the tow hitch off, then making a cut out in the bumper for the tow bar to fit through, the way they showed me it would not have looked to bad once it was refitted.

Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: MikeDundee on 23 January 2008, 19:01:16
Quote
Quote
I am thinking of buying a P-type wagon ::), but I have been told that my rear bumper is not suitable to fit a towbar or suitable for towing, any advice would be useful ::)

Thats true Mike, Vx told me that when i was gonna have the irmscher fitted to the other Miggy, they did say that they could have done it by taking the tow hitch off, then making a cut out in the bumper for the tow bar to fit through, the way they showed me it would not have looked to bad once it was refitted.


Thanks for that Miggy :y Now I know I was'nt taking the piss out of myself ;D ;D
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Kevin Wood on 23 January 2008, 19:41:31
Do you know if / how much lower your bumper comes down compared to a standard part, Mike?

Just thinking I believe there's a fair bit of clearance between my removable one and the bumper when it's attached :-/

I had to cut out a section in the underside of the bumper (so not anywhere visible) to attach it.

Kevin
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: Andy B on 23 January 2008, 20:55:55
Quote
.........
Which position did the relay go in on your 1999 Meega?  

Above driver's feet.
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: MikeDundee on 24 January 2008, 20:53:15
Quote
Do you know if / how much lower your bumper comes down compared to a standard part, Mike?

Just thinking I believe there's a fair bit of clearance between my removable one and the bumper when it's attached :-/

I had to cut out a section in the underside of the bumper (so not anywhere visible) to attach it.

Kevin

Not sure to be honest, would need to check it against another standard meega, as have the lowered suspension aswell. Had it parked next to an elite in the Asda car park at the weekend and you do notice the difference in height, it does sit quite a bit lower.
Title: Re: Caravan and Towing Advice Needed
Post by: ragv6 on 24 January 2008, 21:08:21
Hi i tow a 2005 sterling eccles amethyst which weighs 1464 kg loaded up,i tow with a 3.0 v6 elite which tows very well,the towbar i brought from a local towbar supplier for 120 quid with twin electrics and fitted it myself,very easy to do.MPG29/30 ON MOTORWAY. Hope this helps a bit. ;)