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| Thread ID: 85915 | 2007-12-26 23:38:00 | What to look for when buying a 2nd Caravan | John W (523) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 625054 | 2007-12-26 23:38:00 | We are planning the next step up from tenting to the luxuirous accommidation of a Caravan, but what areas should I pay close attention to when inspecting a 2hd Caravan . I plan to tow it with a 2lt petrol manual 4WD (hey its Ok as I get 39mpg around town), park it in one locality, trip about the place from there, before moving on to another the following summer . Are poptop caravans any good or does the breeze eventually come in through the canvas . Whats the max size I can tow with a soft 4WD 2lt eng (no low ratio) . there was a rule of thumb 1ft for every 100cc engine capacity . Thanks John in Mosgiel . |
John W (523) | ||
| 625055 | 2007-12-26 23:49:00 | you can get pop-ups with solid walls. something like this (www.trademe.co.nz) If it was me, and I would be leaving it somewhere over summer, I would buy the biggest I could find, then get one of these caravan relocation company's to shift it for you |
plod (107) | ||
| 625056 | 2007-12-27 03:57:00 | My parents have both a canvas poptop and a 16ft caravan. Things to look out for: - leaks (around windows/vents/canvas stitching) - electrical warrant of fitness - chassis rust - poor quality tires - independent braking system on caravan Towing the 16ft caravan recently with a 3.5L diesel ute was slow going on any hill, but handled flat terrain with no problem. You may have problems with a 2L engine if the caravan is on the larger size. |
Jen (38) | ||
| 625057 | 2007-12-27 06:55:00 | We are planning the next step up from tenting to the luxuirous accommidation of a Caravan, but what areas should I pay close attention to when inspecting a 2hd Caravan . John in Mosgiel . I don't think you will have a problem with breeze, as canvas is water and wind proof . I mean they used to make canoes out of canvas . As it ages it may however need recoating in a waterproofing agent . I have a friend with a pop top, and they find it good, but they don't use it much these days . |
robbyp (2751) | ||
| 625058 | 2007-12-27 10:52:00 | I'm no expert but if you get a decent-sized caravan, please ensure it has it's own braking mechanism. Same with large boats. A 2litre 4wd sounds strong but it can be pushed around going downhill more easily than you imagine. Your vehicle will have tow weight limits - the towbar should be rated. I have friends who used a poptop for many years. They built an extra floor which sat on top while travelling and contained all of the camping gear. Once on-site they placed it on the ground, put a tarpaulin up and effectively got double the space. Ingenious but the husband was a carpenter so it was well thought out. Rust, leaks, electrical WOF just as Jen says. The condition of a caravan will often tell you a lot about how it has been looked after. |
Winston001 (3612) | ||
| 625059 | 2007-12-27 20:24:00 | towing, there is no legal requirement to abide by any manufactures tow rating or even have the correct tow rating tow bar . the only requirements are what distance you stop in and that the towing attachment on the trailer is rated for the weight on the trailer . there is not many 2 litre 4x4's around, let alone any real 4x4 that doesn't have low range . what vehicle is it ? the main thing is the weight and size of the towing vehicle . to small and the trailer will kick the tow vehicles around which gets down right dangerous . also if it is a medium size vehicle, towing with a 2 litre is going to be extremely slow . i thats your only tow vehicles then i would make sure you get a LIGHT caravan (single axle) . in fact one of those pop ups would be best as even the wind resistance of a normal caravan will be hard on the vehicles . |
tweak'e (69) | ||
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