Guess What? We bought a caravan!!!

[Aussie Jeepster]

Yesterday we went to the Adelaide Caravan show to look at some vans and to get some ideas on what we might want.
And we ended up with a caravan!!!!!!!!!
All in all, it was a pleasant sale and we were very happy with what we got, and the price/deal we arranged.
We ended up with an 18' Road Owl single axle, 1.7T van.
I had no intention of buying, or towing a hotel on wheels - I want the towing to be an enjoyable process for me, as well as enjoying the comforts out in the bush.
Whilst I've towed lots of things, including smallish vans, trailers and camper trailers, a caravan has never been on my list!
I have a V6 Disco 3 - petrol (yes I know it will not be super economical, but i'm sick of diesels).
I have the usual Land Rover tow hitch, which I know is more than adequate, but I guess there are some more things I'm going to need now.
Would appreciate advice from others, but I am looking at the following.
1. 12 pin connector
2. Brake controller - looking at Redarc model
3. The van is fitted with a red anderson plug for the anti sway brake controller - so I'll need to wire that up on the Disco.
4. Hitch weight thingy to keep an eye on the weight at the front.

I've already got a Traxide kit fitted, so I have the Anderson plug at the back of the D3.

Other than doing a course on towing (both of us will do it), and a few gentle runs around the country, what else do I need?

I've got tons of camping gear including solar, stoves etc and the only thing I probably need is a Genny to look after the aircon unit in the van (that will keep HER happy!!!) We are also both pretty good at packing, and I do not see us overloading either the Disco or van with un required junk.

As I said, would appreciate feedback from others who have been there and done this already!!

alan

[Milton477]

Congratulations, enjoy it. Don't believe the caravan forums, they will scare you to death, well sometimes anyway. It is an awesome way of life. The D3 will be a superb tug & you won't have to worry about WDH etc. Easy to hitch up with the air suspension. See you on the road.

[Tins]

Other than doing a course on towing (both of us will do it), and a few gentle runs around the country, what else do I need?



Good for you! I wish more people would do that. Make sure you have a CB so you can have comms with the trucks when you are on the highways. Makes life easier and calmer for all concerned.

Enjoy.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

A 2.4kva will probably start your brand new aircon,, but maybe not leave much,, ???
We looked at a 3 kva Honda,, its the Holy Grail of van generators,, but size and weight are an issue,,

any Pics of the van?[bighmmm][bigwhistle]

[strangy]

This should mount up to the draw bar ok.[bigwhistle]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/02/389.jpg
Happy travels[smilebigeye]

[Aussie Jeepster]

Congratulations, enjoy it. Don't believe the caravan forums, they will scare you to death, well sometimes anyway. It is an awesome way of life. The D3 will be a superb tug & you won't have to worry about WDH etc. Easy to hitch up with the air suspension. See you on the road.
I've already been told I need a WDH which I have no plans for!

[Homestar]

This should mount up to the draw bar ok.[bigwhistle]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/02/389.jpg
Happy travels[smilebigeye]

Geez, that should almost be in a museum. Haven't seen a KTTA38 like that for donkeys years, but its in good condition. 👍

[Saitch]

Just me perhaps but, even though you're not off roading, I'd still consider a DO35 , or similar, tow hitch to lessen the chance of the tug being rolled in a van flip scenario.
Happy travels
Steve

[Homestar]

Just me perhaps but, even though you're not off roading, I'd still consider a DO35 , or similar, tow hitch to lessen the chance of the tug being rolled in a van flip scenario.
Happy travels
Steve

Sound advise - I’ve just put one on my old Viscount even though it will never go off road.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I suppose,,, god alone knows how many kays our hitch has done[bighmmm]

[JimN]

I have a D4 not a D3 but the manual says to NOT use a weight distribution system. The air suspension does what is needed. I also spoke to a sales guy at a van show selling WDH systems and he agreed with LR and using a WDH was a bad idea.
I did the full lap without one and the D4 pulled the van without issues.

One thing to look at is if you need an LED lights module. New vans mostly have led trailer lights and they dont draw enough power to let the cars computer know there is a trailer connected. I know the D4 has some smarts for towing but they need to recognize you are towing but the lights.(i am no expert, but i think it is worth considering).

[gavinwibrow]

A 2.4kva will probably start your brand new aircon,, but maybe not leave much,, ???
We looked at a 3 kva Honda,, its the Holy Grail of van generators,, but size and weight are an issue,,

any Pics of the van?[bighmmm][bigwhistle]



And now iTech (WA company) have a 5KVA (0.8cos) which seems similar to the Honda. I'm saving up my shekels to $1,899 for one. They have been advertised at shows etc for a few months now. I'll raise a new post for any feedback comments.

[gavinwibrow]

A 2.4kva will probably start your brand new aircon,, but maybe not leave much,, ???
We looked at a 3 kva Honda,, its the Holy Grail of van generators,, but size and weight are an issue,,

any Pics of the van?[bighmmm][bigwhistle]



And now iTech (WA company) have a 5KVA (0.8cos) which seems similar to the Honda. I'm saving up my shekels to $1,899 for one. They have been advertised at shows etc for a few months now. I'll raise a new post for any feedback comments.

[Fatso]

And now iTech (WA company) have a 5KVA (0.8cos) which seems similar to the Honda. I'm saving up my shekels to $1,899 for one. They have been advertised at shows etc for a few months now. I'll raise a new post for any feedback comments.

Fairly heavy at 33kg,s .

[Homestar]

Fairly heavy at 33kg,s .


Only slightly heavier than a 100Ah battery. Sacrifice one for the other as long as you had the physical space.

Actually seems light for a 5KVA. Our 6.5KVA Honda inverters at work are nearly 80Kg.

[cripesamighty]

I use Honda generators at work (EM70 and EU65) and from memory they weigh in just over 100kg with fuel onboard. I ended up buying a scissor lift trolley to man handle the things without breaking myself. Nice caravan by the way!

[gavinwibrow]

Only slightly heavier than a 100Ah battery. Sacrifice one for the other as long as you had the physical space.

Actually seems light for a 5KVA. Our 6.5KVA Honda inverters at work are nearly 80Kg.


I already have a 2nd portable 100Ah battery - as well as the one permanently in the van, plus solar charging, but the genset is intended for SWAMBO and a/c on those hot camping nights in the caravan.

My 2KVA Honda set doesn't quite cut the mustard for running the a/c and so I don't want to take it camping, plus I don't want the hassles of a 2nd Honda, even though I already have the wiring to set up a pair. Rationalisation is the name of the game.
Cheers

[Homestar]

I get that, horses for courses. As I work with generators every day for a living the last thing I want when I go away is to have anything to do with them. I run 400Ah of batteries and 500 watts of solar so can run decent fans all night if needed although I’ve never camped anywhere where it’s been more that mid to high 20’s overnight so never needed AC.