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Newer narrow vans usually have at least semi off-road suspension and shocks so I doubt their narrower track would be problematic, but not an aspect that I had previously considered. IMO its not a significant enough consideration but they might be blown about more by oncoming trucks.
S,Quote:
Originally Posted by roverrescue
Thanks for your post, I have also just found this out after towing a 3T van about 1000km. Slight outer shoulder wear (saw tooth effect).
Graeme,
My van is around the 8' width. Unfortunately having just bought a van last year I believe it is a process of compromise, none of them have everything.
Are there many options that are less than 8'?
Regards
Craig
There's only a couple that are narrow, with the AOR range at the top end price-wise but very much out of my reach. I'm keen to have a look at a few to see if the width or any other aspect of the particular brand is too much of a compromise for me but don't want to jeopardise the narrow vans by looking at poorly set-out examples. I've been offered a very attractive change-over price on a new 7' x 17.5' tandem axle fibreglass body van but haven't had a look at the marque in the flesh, let alone the van offered. I'm hoping to have a look at a 2 yo one first which would be a better deal again if acceptable but it may already be sold, as may the new one be too if I dally much. The more expensive new 17' Jayco Starcraft van that my wife liked is no longer available so there's breathing space at the moment.
Graeme,
The AOR looks great I have not seen any in WA but I am sure they are around. When the 3 young ones are no longer at home it will be on my wishlist.
I have had no issues with a 8' towing width, however I now live in WA and I can understand your concerns after living in the Eastern states in the 90's where roads are not always as wide and can be bumpy along-with more congestion.
I have been using the Brunsgaard Universal Caravan Towing Mirrors and found them to be great at providing the rear view. Kel was very prompt in helping in the set up of these.
I am 6'2" and normal "queen-size" caravan beds were not suitable for me, my feet were always hanging over the edge to some degree. I have since learnt that a caravan "queen-size" has no "standard" as such and can be anything the manufacturer determines. We went for a bed that was orientated across the width of the van and is equivalent to a king size so I am now more than happy.
Cheers
Craig
Jayco are advertising some yearly special at the moment,,
A large Jayco dealer dropped their price a little for the sale on a hard-top that we had looked at 10 days earlier but I wanted the better walls of the cheaper, slightly longer and tandem axle pop-top and am not fussed with 8' wide vans anyway so not buying any Jayco at this time.
As long as a van has independent suspension then being 8' is no big deal as if you drop a couple of wheels off the edge the van will still track straight, if it has billy cart suspension then they tend to Buck and jump all over the place.
Better to drop onto the gravel than go too far to the right and following vehicles would soon learn to stay back from flying rocks, although there's a legal requirement to stay on the road.
To round this off, we bought a 2.1m wide, tandem trailing arm coil Grandcruiser that's easy towing in crazy holiday free-way traffic and narrow country back-roads at posted speed limits.
Excellent choice Graeme, the Grandcruiser is a very nice van, I know of a fellow on another forum I am a member of who owns one and talks very highly of his one.