I want to set up to tow a Van

[Bails]

OK getting interested in a Caravan, thinking of a reasonable size 21 ft and weight up to the limit when loaded.

What I don't understand is tow assist and trailer assist , I think tow assist relies on having the camera setup .

Also I am unsure who to seek out for electrical wiring , I am in Wollongong but would travel for the right expert.

I think I would need Anderson plug for the safety brake system and perhaps a second Anderson for a DC charger.

Vehicle has factory 7 pin flat plug which I think I would keep if will do the job.

Any advice and suggestions would be appreciated.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Probably not what you were thinking but...
set up the van to be self sufficient. ie; it doesnt need anything but turn signals from the car.
A 5 to 3 ratio ( solar panel watts -to- storage battery AH ) works well and make the van totally independent of the car.

[DiscoMick]

Get a good auto electrician on the job. I don't know anyone in Wollongong - sorry.

An Anderson plug on the bumper feeding directly from the alternator to the caravan battery should fix the charging side.
This would have heavier wiring and should have fuses each end, so you can put more power through to the van than if you run it through the 7 pin or a 12 pin, which would have lighter wiring as that is all that is needed to work the lights and brakes on the van.
Mine has 50 Amp fuses each end and puts a steady 8 amps to the Anderson on our camper and then to the twin 120 Ah AGM batteries.
You don't need a DC- DC charger in the vehicle, but you might fit one in the van. Remember that DC-DC chargers have to consume power to generate charge, so your electrical system has to be set up to cope with a heavier load if you fit a charger. Get the auto electricians advice.

More solar is better. We can connect 360 watts for our 240 Ah of batteries, plus we have a Westinghouse 2500 generator to use when needed.

You will need electric brakes. Your auto electrician can do this. Don't muck about with brakes - get it done professionally.
Redarc and Tekonsha seem to be the favoured brands for electric brakes.
Will your van have Stability Assist? Talk to the van manufacturer.

Towball weight, towing limit, Gross Combined Mass and payload of your vehicle are very important issues for happy caravanning. You didn't say what vehicle you have. Study the handbook for whatever vehicle it is and become an expert on the numbers.
Note that Land Rovers are not the same as Toyotas. Your LR payload may have an allowance already included for towball weight, so, for example, you might already be allowed 160kg of towball in your payload. This is hard to explain. Read the handbook.

Don't overload your vehicle or you can come unstuck in a nasty way. Many people overload and get in serious trouble. Be cautious.
For example, my Defender can tow 3500kg, but I wouldn't feel comfortable towing anything near that weight. My preference.

Be fussy about the condition of the brakes on both your vehicle and the caravan, to avoid 'brown undies' moments. You do not want the caravan pushing the vehicle under brakes.
There are threads on here about towball and payload weights. It's not nearly as simple as many people think.
Don't be put off though. It can be done.

Be fussy about the weight balance in the caravan. Some caravans have poor weight balance and do not track well behind the vehicle. Heavy items like water tanks and batteries might ideally be over the axle.

Hope that helps.

[Geedublya]

OK getting interested in a Caravan, thinking of a reasonable size 21 ft and weight up to the limit when loaded.

What I don't understand is tow assist and trailer assist , I think tow assist relies on having the camera setup .

Also I am unsure who to seek out for electrical wiring , I am in Wollongong but would travel for the right expert.

I think I would need Anderson plug for the safety brake system and perhaps a second Anderson for a DC charger.

Vehicle has factory 7 pin flat plug which I think I would keep if will do the job.

Any advice and suggestions would be appreciated.


Trailer assist adjusts the vehicle software for the trailer. DSC, gearbox shift points, reversing sensors, towball view and towball line when reversing. Tow assist is an option that makes it easier to reverse a trailer.

Are you sure you have a 7 pin plug? The factory plug is 12 pin.

You do not need anything extra from the 7 pin or 12 pin plug if you just want trailer brakes though you will need a brake controller installed.

If you have the 12 pin plug you can run a 12v caravan fridge from it though I would not recommend this as the current draw is border line.

If you want to charge caravan batteries from the car you will need an Anderson plug to provide the power.

The L494 is one of the easiest vehicles for setting up for a trailer as the brake controller wiring is in place and the battery is at the rear so wiring an Anderson plug is very easy.

If you have any mechanical ability I can give you assistance with doing the work yourself. In my experience most Auto Electricians will have no idea how to do the L494 and this will result in an expensive and overly complicated setup.

[drivesafe]

Hi Bails, and I might have someone in Wollongong who can d the work or at least help you with what you need.


But before you do any work, we need to know how you intend to use your van.


For example, are you planning on lots of short trips and short stays?


Or short trips with long stays?


Or that round Australia trip, travelling long distances and then long stays between moves?


Based on feedback from thousands of customers over the last 30 years, most people rarely drive more than 2.5 to 4 hours a day when towing a caravan or driving a motor home.


NOTE camper trailer use is somewhat different.


Next, and again based on use, what sort of battery capacity are you looking at, and this will need to be covered before you start any work.


As for finding an auto electrician who knows even the slightest bit about setting up a caravan or even a dual battery system in a vehicles goes. Well best of luck there, as most caravan manufacturers can not do it properly.


I can assure you you will find it hard to get anyone who is really competent with caravan wiring, both 12v and 230vac.


Anyway, can you post up your intended uses and we can start to give you some options.

[Bails]

Trailer assist adjusts the vehicle software for the trailer. DSC, gearbox shift points, reversing sensors, towball view and towball line when reversing. Tow assist is an option that makes it easier to reverse a trailer.

Are you sure you have a 7 pin plug? The factory plug is 12 pin.

You do not need anything extra from the 7 pin or 12 pin plug if you just want trailer brakes though you will need a brake controller installed.

If you have the 12 pin plug you can run a 12v caravan fridge from it though I would not recommend this as the current draw is border line.

If you want to charge caravan batteries from the car you will need an Anderson plug to provide the power.

The L494 is one of the easiest vehicles for setting up for a trailer as the brake controller wiring is in place and the battery is at the rear so wiring an Anderson plug is very easy.

If you have any mechanical ability I can give you assistance with doing the work yourself. In my experience most Auto Electricians will have no idea how to do the L494 and this will result in an expensive and overly complicated setup.

Fantastic, I counted the pins on the trailer plug , didn't bother with the car. Just checked and you are correct I have a 12 pin plug. One issue solved.

I have been looking at the different Brake controllers and have come across Trailer-Wired Electric Brake Controller ELBC2000 | Elecbrakes (https://www.elecbrakes.com/wired/) Which seems to indicate that setting up for brakes will be easy?

[Bails]

Hi Bails, and I might have someone in Wollongong who can d the work or at least help you with what you need.


But before you do any work, we need to know how you intend to use your van.


For example, are you planning on lots of short trips and short stays?


Or short trips with long stays?


Or that round Australia trip, travelling long distances and then long stays between moves?


Based on feedback from thousands of customers over the last 30 years, most people rarely drive more than 2.5 to 4 hours a day when towing a caravan or driving a motor home.


NOTE camper trailer use is somewhat different.


Next, and again based on use, what sort of battery capacity are you looking at, and this will need to be covered before you start any work.


As for finding an auto electrician who knows even the slightest bit about setting up a caravan or even a dual battery system in a vehicles goes. Well best of luck there, as most caravan manufacturers can not do it properly.


I can assure you you will find it hard to get anyone who is really competent with caravan wiring, both 12v and 230vac.


Anyway, can you post up your intended uses and we can start to give you some options.

Thanks for your input, My intended use is long trips away and to use the van as a work base. The vans I most like I will need to sell my wife to purchase, so I am looking at used , and trusting that the former owners have done some of the upgrades or the systems are up gradable. Looking for 300 amp Hours of Lithium . 600 watts of Solar , Diesel Heating , air con , toilet shower and the list goes on.

I have been around Australia twice , once riding a bike. Motorbike , and once in my V10 Touareg. No caravan in these instances.

[DiscoMick]

From what I understand, no doubt others will correct if this is wrong, if you go lithium you will definitely need a DC-DC in the caravan as they have to charge at about 14 volts, higher than AGMs.
Will you be staying in one place or moving most days?
If you are moving you might need to drive for at least 4 hours to recharge your batteries.
If stationary you may need at least 400 watts of solar plus a generator to stay charged off the grid, particularly if running lots of hungry appliances.

[Milton477]

Thanks for your input, My intended use is long trips away and to use the van as a work base. The vans I most like I will need to sell my wife to purchase, so I am looking at used , and trusting that the former owners have done some of the upgrades or the systems are up gradable. Looking for 300 amp Hours of Lithium . 600 watts of Solar , Diesel Heating , air con , toilet shower and the list goes on.

I have been around Australia twice , once riding a bike. Motorbike , and once in my V10 Touareg. No caravan in these instances.

I use my van primarily as a work base for remote sites so this is what I have after 5 years of experience:
-360Ah of Lithium (2x180Ah in parallel)
-600W of solar, 200W sits on the D4
-Anderson on the D4 which feeds an Enerdrive DC2DC in the van charging at 50A.
-A 3KVa Victron Multiplus Inverter/Charger/AC Switch which can charge the batteries at 100A
-A cheapie generator which easily runs the aircon & charges batteries.

The Victron Multiplus offers huge advantages in combining batteries & AC input so that I van comfortably run my inverter aircon for an extended period using a 1KVa generator & the batteries.
Don't forget to specify RVD protection in the van where inverters or generators are used.

Works for me, good luck.

[Bails]

I use my van primarily as a work base for remote sites so this is what I have after 5 years of experience:
-360Ah of Lithium (2x180Ah in parallel)
-600W of solar, 200W sits on the D4
-Anderson on the D4 which feeds an Enerdrive DC2DC in the van charging at 50A.
-A 3KVa Victron Multiplus Inverter/Charger/AC Switch which can charge the batteries at 100A
-A cheapie generator which easily runs the aircon & charges batteries.

The Victron Multiplus offers huge advantages in combining batteries & AC input so that I van comfortably run my inverter aircon for an extended period using a 1KVa generator & the batteries.
Don't forget to specify RVD protection in the van where inverters or generators are used.

Works for me, good luck.

Sounds like a good setup. I think I can get all the solar on the roof , I do have some portable panels also , but am thinking along similar lines to you, Generator backup . Out of interest what is the van you are using ? I am looking at 3 brands ATM, basically want AL2 frame composite walls and floor , and dual suspension . I aim to understand if I can retro fit the Power stuff , this means my choices for 2nd hand become more variable.

[Milton477]

Sounds like a good setup. I think I can get all the solar on the roof , I do have some portable panels also , but am thinking along similar lines to you, Generator backup . Out of interest what is the van you are using ? I am looking at 3 brands ATM, basically want AL2 frame composite walls and floor , and dual suspension . I aim to understand if I can retro fit the Power stuff , this means my choices for 2nd hand become more variable.

Built the van myself. Composite construction, single axle with air suspension.

[Bails]

Built the van myself. Composite construction, single axle with air suspension.

Impressive ! Not a task I would want to undertake if I plan to go in the next year or so. I have been looking at Sunland, Zone , and Mountain Trail, full size vans. Leaning towards the Sunland brand ATM.

[Bigbjorn]

OK getting interested in a Caravan, thinking of a reasonable size 21 ft and weight up to the limit when loaded.

What I don't understand is tow assist and trailer assist , I think tow assist relies on having the camera setup .

Also I am unsure who to seek out for electrical wiring , I am in Wollongong but would travel for the right expert.

I think I would need Anderson plug for the safety brake system and perhaps a second Anderson for a DC charger.

Vehicle has factory 7 pin flat plug which I think I would keep if will do the job.

Any advice and suggestions would be appreciated.

First get a tug with enough engine that you are not a PIA up the highway. 5 or 6 litres and 300+ horses is a good start. Something that will maintain the speed limit where road conditions make it safe to so do.

[DiscoMick]

First get a tug with enough engine that you are not a PIA up the highway. 5 or 6 litres and 300+ horses is a good start. Something that will maintain the speed limit where road conditions make it safe to so do.Nah, ignore that. Us aged wanderers only need to be able to do 90. Everyone else just needs to learn patience. [emoji41]

[Geedublya]

First get a tug with enough engine that you are not a PIA up the highway. 5 or 6 litres and 300+ horses is a good start. Something that will maintain the speed limit where road conditions make it safe to so do.

I think a twin turbo 3.0l diesel with 292hp and over 600nm will do the job.

[DiscoMick]

Yeah, every little buzz box can easily do the speed limit now.

[Geedublya]

I think a twin turbo 3.0l diesel with 292hp and over 600nm will do the job.

I was wrong as Bails has a TDV8 so twin turbo 4.4l diesel with 250kw (335bhp) and over 700nm I think will definitely tow OK.

[Bails]

The group has helped me a lot , I am now seriously trying to work out my van needs. ATM I am doing the Brake Actuator so I am at least ready to pick up a good buy and tow home. I am not time poor so will search and wait for the right Van or Hybrid Camper.

Thanks to Geoff for his offer of help I will have more questions when I get the Van.

[Tombie]

The group has helped me a lot , I am now seriously trying to work out my van needs. ATM I am doing the Brake Actuator so I am at least ready to pick up a good buy and tow home. I am not time poor so will search and wait for the right Van or Hybrid Camper.

Thanks to Geoff for his offer of help I will have more questions when I get the Van.

As light as possible [smilebigeye] Use composites in the van to keep weight down..

Yes, you can tow 3500kg. You can also rev the engine to redline every minute if you wish - doesnt make it a good idea.

DOnt aim to get to the max, aim for say 2,700kg and see how you go.. Granite Bench Tops etc really shouldnt be in Vans...

The lighter you can keep it, the more of a pleasure towing it will be.

[CSBrisie]

As light as possible [smilebigeye] Use composites in the van to keep weight down..

Yes, you can tow 3500kg. You can also rev the engine to redline every minute if you wish - doesnt make it a good idea.

DOnt aim to get to the max, aim for say 2,700kg and see how you go.. Granite Bench Tops etc really shouldnt be in Vans...

The lighter you can keep it, the more of a pleasure towing it will be.


Couldn’t agree more - we bought a 2670kg TARE 21 foot family Bushtracker and it was damn heavy to tow once you filled it with gear and water. Our next van will be smaller and lighter. Guys like Zone RV are getting a good reputation for composite construction and lighter weight.

[LRD414]

The lighter you can keep it, the more of a pleasure towing it will be.
This is so true and why we’ve gone for one that’s under 2t fully loaded. Also the same width and track as the vehicle for better fuel economy and easier access on narrower tracks. Can also avoid tow mirrors if not too long.

Bails, have a look at Rhinomax vans.

Cheers,
Scott

[DiscoMick]

Some interesting ones here, although I'm not sure if they're tough enough for rough roads.

Top-5 small caravans - www.caravancampingsales.com.au (https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/details/top-5-small-caravans-113514)

I've seen this one and was impressed.

Winton 10 - Lightweight compact caravan | Ezytrail Camper Trailers (https://www.ezytrailcampertrailers.com.au/winton-10.html)

[Barraman]

I don't tow a van, but I have towed a 6.7 M and 2,500 kg boat, on a dual axle, electric brake trailer, some 30,000 km in the last two years with a 2015 D4 (TD6).


The D4 tows the boat almost like its not there. The boat does not push the D4 around!
With electric brakes the D4/boat, it seems like the combo stops at least as well as the D4 alone. The trailer brakes come on just ahead of the D4 brakes and then get progressively harder as you stand on the brake peddle
10L/100km without the boat - 17L/km with the boat
I can tow comfortably on the speed limit, whatever that may be - 100, 110, 130 kph
You know the boat is there when you want to pass something, but the extra margin of clear road required is not all that great.
The boat has most of its weight, and therefore the dual axles, towards the rear and it seems to me that that eliminate any tendency to for the boat/trailer to get the "wobbles". I see more and more vans on the road with the dual axles towards the rear rather than in the centre of the van - I assume that helps with towing stability


http://www.fototime.com/F8F57C0C521618D/standard.jpg

[PeterC]

I have been looking at Sunland, Zone , and Mountain Trail, full size vans. Leaning towards the Sunland brand ATM.
I ended up ordering a Zone because of the lighter weight and more modern looks and good customer service that their owners talk about. (They have a Facebook page that Zone, Enerdrive and Cruisemaster sit in on) Getting the Venture series 20.5ft at 2350kg Tare, 3500kg ATM. Everything else was too heavy. I hope to keep mine under 3 Tonne.
Cheers

[Tombie]

I ended up ordering a Zone because of the lighter weight and more modern looks and good customer service that their owners talk about. (They have a Facebook page that Zone, Enerdrive and Cruisemaster sit in on) Getting the Venture series 20.5ft at 2350kg Tare, 3500kg ATM. Everything else was too heavy. I hope to keep mine under 3 Tonne.
Cheers

Great choice, fantastic vans. A few here have them and can’t praise them enough.

[Bails]

I ended up ordering a Zone because of the lighter weight and more modern looks and good customer service that their owners talk about. (They have a Facebook page that Zone, Enerdrive and Cruisemaster sit in on) Getting the Venture series 20.5ft at 2350kg Tare, 3500kg ATM. Everything else was too heavy. I hope to keep mine under 3 Tonne.
Cheers

Yes the Zone is a very nice looking Van, My three selections are based on weight and function. I aim to visit factories in the first half of the year . Did you have a look and the Mountain Trail LXV series by any chance?

[DiscoMick]

I've carefully inspected other Mountain Trail campers at shows and they appear to be quality products. Haven't seen that particular one.
The Zones I've seen seem nice, but I wonder how robust they would be on rough roads.

[Tombie]

Composite construction is stronger than fastener construction - once its bonded you need to physically destroy the join to take them apart.

Styromax do a large number of composite builds doing some extreme use and never had a failure.

Zone also do a clever “harness” system for their wiring - it’s like a vehicle loom, plugs along it to take off or feed in components and all accessible. A very clever design that makes the wiring robust.

A good friend has one and has taken it down the likes of the Anne Beadell, the GRR etc and never had a problem with the unit - same cannot be said for his 76 towing it.

[Bails]

I don't anticipate extreme off road use , but I have a belief buy in case you change your mind. I own a BMW R1250 GSA and don't do a lot of extreme riding but if I want to I don't have to consider if I am about to damage my Vehicle.

Anyway for me this is part of the journey which I enjoy, took 18 months of research before I purchased the Sport , so I expect some time before a final decision is made. In he mean time I should have a brake controller fitted soon.

[DiscoMick]

We've looked at a lot of hybrid campers recently. Haven't bought one yet.
These seem good value.

Austrack Campers | Camper Trailers (Built Tough, Built to Last) (https://www.austrackcampers.com.au/)

[Tombie]

We've looked at a lot of hybrid campers recently. Haven't bought one yet.
These seem good value.

Austrack Campers | Camper Trailers (Built Tough, Built to Last) (https://www.austrackcampers.com.au/)

Several importing those units...

MDC being the well known/bigger importer.

[DiscoMick]

Yes, but the fitouts seem to vary quite a lot.

[PeterC]

Yes the Zone is a very nice looking Van, My three selections are based on weight and function. I aim to visit factories in the first half of the year . Did you have a look and the Mountain Trail LXV series by any chance?

The Mountain Trail LXV 6.2 looks to be closest to the Zone I am interested in. It is heavier than the Zone and seems to have every option ticked as a standard inclusion. Zone seems much more customised. I have mostly keep my needs simple which saves me money and weight. I have deleted some things and added others like a composting toilet. Zone seem to accommodate almost anything if they can fit it in their design. They also use external suppliers that are expert in their fields rather than do their own, such as Cruisemaster for suspension and Enerdrive for 12V electrics. I want to free camp lots but not necessarily do the really rough stuff. If I was doing that then I would look at the Zone Expedition series. They have lots of Youtube videos to see how the different models perform.

[Bails]

I ended up ordering a Zone because of the lighter weight and more modern looks and good customer service that their owners talk about. (They have a Facebook page that Zone, Enerdrive and Cruisemaster sit in on) Getting the Venture series 20.5ft at 2350kg Tare, 3500kg ATM. Everything else was too heavy. I hope to keep mine under 3 Tonne.
Cheers

How is the Zone going, I am still not in a van yet, and as I can;t get to shows and haven't sold my business can't place an order.

Have to work out the power supply yet but have been offered help from the board members. Brakes are in so I only need the Aux Power connection done. Anderson Plug for the DC charger is the last thing .

[Bails]

For those driving a Sport and towing I have a question ? Mirrors, what do you use for extension mirrors? I understand using a camera but am told that all states require mirrors that allow you to see the end corner of the van ?

Now for Camera , I am thinking a link to the video input would mean we could use the OME screen to see what is at the rear, has anyone found an easy solution ?

Thanks

[Disco4SE]

For those driving a Sport and towing I have a question ? Mirrors, what do you use for extension mirrors? I understand using a camera but am told that all states require mirrors that allow you to see the end corner of the van ?
Hi Bails,
I have found these pretty good..................https://www.milenco.com/products/mirrors/milenco-aero-3-mirror

Cheers, Craig

[Gregz]

Hi Bails,
+1 for the Milencos; I had the aero model not grand aero model. I was able to fit the attachments at the bottom of the mirrors, sliding them in between the housing and the actual mirror glass, just. The bottom of the mirror housing is horizontal not like the upper which slopes. Cutting off the extension tube of the extension mirror, I was able to ensure that the mirror still folded without hitting the door, just.