Hi again another question please can anyone tell me will I be ok to pack certain items in my little dandy when travelling a couple of little camping tables couple of camping chairs then bits and bats plastic plates camping pans kettle sleeping bags also I have a small air fryer and small slow cooker should I put them in car or would they be safe in dandy thank you again for any help just want to make sure I’m not overloading never had a trailer tent before and want to do everything right 😊
Seems like a simple question, but rarely a simple answer TBF.
Looking at current spec (your's may differ, do check!) the basic load carrying capacity is 150Kg, giving a overall MAX weight (MTPLM) of 500Kg, but older kit often differs from original spec with updates and mods etc, there's also how many optional extras were opted for, they all eat into the payload BUT the Max (MTPLM) weight limit never changes, so if it looks like you are going to load it heavily, worth weighing it (council/private weigh bridge) to see how much carrying capacity you have and ensure not exceeding Max (MTPLM) figure.
When loading it, you have to be wary of HOW you load it, both to ensure it tows nicely (not too much weight in the tail which encourages snaking!) and that the nose weight is correct (25Kg).
I, and many others, weigh everything we place in our trailers so that we can keep track of how it's all adding up! You'd be surprised at how quickly you can accumulate enough stuff to push weight limits!
Ride quality! Things like air fryer and slow cooker may get a gentler ride in the car, trailers tend to give quite a harsh ride and fragile things can suffer from the bouncing/jiggling about. You really have to stow things carefully to ensure they can't damage themselves or other items/fixtures, bouncing and hard braking (you can never discount having to brake hard!) are the biggest risk, but if you're a demon driver, you can throw things from side to side too.
Tables, chairs, bedding etc. shouldn't be a problem, biggest issue is usually trying to secure heavy/hard things so they don't move in transit, they can damage fittings and chafe things if allowed to move freely. Any racks in the kitchen are rarely any good at keeping crockery in place during transit, usually takes a bit of packing, like dish cloths and tea towels strategically wedged!
As a general rule of towing, better the weight in the tow car than the trailer, but the Dandy is so light that is hardly likely to be an issue unless your car is lightweight too and very near it's towing limits with the Dandy.
Collapsible crates and stuff bags are quite handy to transport stuff, when it's in place the bags/crates fold up small and can be stowed away, rigid boxes/crates are the worst, you can never find anywhere to stow them during your stay!
'Stuff bags' are simple soft bags usually with a drawstring, and great for 'stuffing' sleeping bags, towels, pillows etc, things that compress and the wrinkles don't matter, but they keep stuff compact and together rather than spilling out everywhere. Handy for gathering non-compressible stuff too into one manageable bag.
Typical one from here, but available all over in many different forms: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/carry-bag-for-sleeping-bags-and-mattresses/_/R-p-107........
One thing you learn with limited transport/stowage space for camping gear, even with a largish 4 berth caravan like mine, is pack well, pack tight, otherwise it just overwhelms you and you can't move for stuff everywhere!
Just letting you know Monty have ordered three of these bags from decathlon just to see how I go along can I put my camping pans in one and plastic plates and cutlery do you think like I say I’m new to all this so I’m hopeless 🤪
just put your pots and pans into plastic storage boxes, which once on site will come in handy for putting things such as shoes into. the stuff sacks are really only for soft items such as sleeping bags, but from memory the dandy has cupboards that you can pack your plates and pans etc into anyway, perhaps you are slightly over thinking and worrying to much about this
Quote: Originally posted by KimTracy on 14/6/2022
Thanks again Monty I’m going to have a look and order some thanks for all the advice your a god send haha 😊
Awww, stop it, you'll make me blush
.... but not just yet, you can carry on a little more, I've very broad shoulders that can take the burden, and the cheek of the Devil
Haha you will be my come to now for advice yes I think I am over thinking things I suffer with anxiety and think it’s started to kick in haha like I said first time at this so I must admit worrying bloody hell who would think I’m going on hols the way I’m worrying anyway thanks Monty you’ve helped loads 😊
By the looks of it you have a dandy dart which is the lightest dandy. It has a 500kg fully loaded weight limit. Ex works is quoted as 350kg for a dark blue one leaving 150kg payload. Earlier models were lighter but still 500kg max.
If you have a dandy awning this will be quite heavy, maybe 50 or 60kg. Other than that I doubt you will be able to overload such a small space.
Best way is to pack camping things inside kitchen unit and the inside locker such as pots and pans, crockery/cutlery kettle, sleeping bags, toilet etc. Then put awning on top along with maybe chairs and table if you can securely pack it but Dart maybe a bit small to take it all.
Put fridge, clothes, food etc in car.
That system means you don't have to fold or unfold to pack/unpack.
When folded there should be a little inside space available on top of the bench seat which can be accessed through the rear of the folded dandy. Best to remove that though before unfolding to stop anything getting caught or damaged.
Don't worry about putting stuff to far to the back or front affecting stability when towing. It is so small it will make no difference.
Under no circumstances put the spare wheel on the PVC roof. It will leave a mark which is impossible to remove.
Hi Navver Thankyou for all your help taking everything on board all the advice I’m getting from people so we went and picked our dandy up on Saturday at last got it all set up on drive got to admit struggled a bit even though we had been shown how to do it but you know what it’s like as soon as we started bloody brain fog set in haha but we got there and for the first time of giving it a go we didn’t do bad about 40 mins haha I’m seriously in love with my dandy got my little grandson down to get it all lovely and clean even though it was in great condition I just wanted an excuse really to get the zoflora out haha then I spent the afternoon sat with my coffee inside my dandy the rain started and not a drip inside anywhere so we were very please thst we had definitely put her up correctly I’ve packed all my bits away as you have said just my pots and pans cutlery and I’ve got all camping ones plastic except for pans got some great camping ones nice and light but great quality I was wondering about painting the cupboards nice and bright what would you recommend good idea or not also the poles just got a tiny bit of rust on a couple of them nothing serious in any way but I was adviced used hameright paint for them then I’m going to get some nice throw over blankets and cushions to put on bed and sofa part for day time got my sleeping bags and quilts for night time we are away at weekend for the first time I can’t wait so we don’t have a dandy hawning but a nice one came with the dandy not been brave enough to try it out yet just want to get to grips with the dandy first then tackle it haha I’m like a big kid thst excited to start getting away in her 😊
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Topic: Dandy dart
via mobile 14/6/2022 at 11:54am
