Thread: caravan width - towing

I consider the nearby table is available for extra bench space - a compromise in a van of this length with a full en-suite.

I will replace the cook-top / grille with a gas oven version if an oven is indeed required. It looks easy enough to lower the shelf although the bottom drawer may need its height reduced.

I've discovered that the roof support is not sufficient for the 50kg a/c unit which has caused the roof to sag enough for water to pool then find its way inside. The fibre-glass roof is not thick enough to allow a strong frame as per the a/c manufacturer's specs to be built into the roof. I will fit an external H-frame - its a simple enough task and SOP if a/c fitted post build.

Edit: A temporary fix has been implemented which should last until the roof sags at least another 25-30mm but a proper fix needs to be done sooner rather than later. Its currently sagged less than 15mm.

I don't think size and width of the caravans make them much different to tow. Once I'm towing a big wind sail, your going slow, your swinging wide around corners and your filling the lane. I find the biggest issue is squeezing something big into a 'van park at the end of the trip. My 'van would be 2.5meters wide with the outside light and wheel arches sticking out slightly.

Lets face it, your usually going to cruise along at 80->90km/h. Faster than that isn't safe IMO. A big gust of wind could easily shove you into oncoming traffic... speed is exponential ...a gust of wind or movement of the caravan that would go un-noticed at 85km/h .... could well have the thing all of the road and barely in control at 105km/h.

seeya,
Shane L.

This van is a dream to tow with the RR, not impacted by passing trucks nor strong cross-winds even at free-way speeds. Very little extra lane width is used, with the special concession to change lanes earlier to lessen the likelihood of being boxed-in behind a slower vehicle. I will however provide power for ESC to operate and fit a new set of shock bushes as the current ones are very loose and probably weren't tight when new.

Originally Posted by Graeme

This van is a dream to tow with the RR, not impacted by passing trucks nor strong cross-winds even at free-way speeds. Very little extra lane width is used, with the special concession to change lanes earlier to lessen the likelihood of being boxed-in behind a slower vehicle. I will however provide power for ESC to operate and fit a new set of shock bushes as the current ones are very loose and probably weren't tight when new.

What sort of caravan are you towing. Mine does get move around by breezes. I find the Arrarat -> melbourne highway the worse for caravans "moving" around (dont' confuse moving around with swaying). I think it's the way the wind blows off the valleys and hills beside the highway.



I figure if your towing a blocks of flats that doubles as a wind sail ..... gusts of winds will move it around a little. It's not the size or the weight, it's the sail area of the damn thing The much bigger, but tows a lot better than the 16' Viscount Ultralight (aka: the swaying bastard) I had a few years back.

seeya,
Shane L.

My van is only 17.5ft x 7ft weighing 2T and towed by more than 2.5T.

Originally Posted by Graeme

My van is only 17.5ft x 7ft weighing 2T and towed by more than 2.5T.

Will be interested to see how it goes Greame.I looked at a few vans whilst the Albanian dealer was closed the other day,a bit bigger than that but not as big as the $99000 behemoths they had in the yard.Liked what I saw.
Any chance of a seperate thread about the van as you start using it????
Andrew

I can do that Andrew, perhaps especially listing the improvements. I feel this van is a comparatively cheap version of similar but much more expensive vans but needs some finishing. Items such as the 2 water tanks are joined rather than separate, tank breathers without filters and only at chassis level are examples. Its 2T tare but 2.5T GVM gives plenty of scope for extras such as a grey water tank if needed.

Unfortunately the manufacturer seems to have had difficulty selling the vans and their future is currently uncertain.

Im not in the position to buy a brand new one,so refurbing/modding a cheaper second hand unit is much more doable.
Just about ruled out the pop tops,plenty of secondhand units in the yard,none had ensuits,and peering thru the windows not really the room to convert either.
I will keep awaiting that powerball
Andrew