I have a Volvo with 1500 kerb weight and I don't want to get rid of it but if all goes well with the two-berth trial caravan, I want to upgrade to a 4 berth.
Is there an easy way to search for caravans that will be suitable for my car with a 1500 kerb weight?
The 85% guide weight would be around 1300kg so that's the MTPLM you should be looking for if that's within the max tow limit of the car.
If you go to caravan finder.co.uk then click on caravans and use the advanced caravan search button you can put in the number of berths and then used the advanced option to select the max MTPLM that you want. This will give a list of caravans for sale which you can then decide on a shortlist of suitable models which you can search for locally and on different sales platforms including ukcampsite.
Quote: Originally posted by Rob and Tina on 01/8/2022
The 85% guide weight would be around 1300kg so that's the MTPLM you should be looking for if that's within the max tow limit of the car.
If you go to caravan finder.co.uk then click on caravans and use the advanced caravan search button you can put in the number of berths and then used the advanced option to select the max MTPLM that you want. This will give a list of caravans for sale which you can then decide on a shortlist of suitable models which you can search for locally and on different sales platforms including ukcampsite.
My 4 berth Lunar is only 1310Kg MTPLM, that's close enough to your 85% figure to be OK and not worry about, so they do exist. Once you've gained some towing experience you also don't have to be so concerned about the 85% rule, but it's still a good target to aim for with a little latitude.
BUT generally you have to be aware, as with my van, 4 berth is not necessarily 4 ADULT berths, more like 2 plus 2 berths, that's 2 adults plus 2 sub-adult beds, with both size and weight restrictions. Mine has convertible bench seats to two adult single beds/one double bed and two undersize/underweight fold down convertible bunks (can be dinette table/seats). You generally have to do some detailed research into specific vans to find if any restrictions exist on some of the berths. The undersized beds are probably good up to typical young teens size/weight.
Caravan finder is a great resource for narrowing your search, especially if you use the filters to full effect. But once you've spotted potential van, you will likely have to delve deeper elsewhere for the real nitty gritty info.
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
We used to have a 4 berth Bailey Orion that had a mtplm of 1250 however, although it is classed as a 4 berth, I would say it is really only suitable for 2 adults and maybe 1 or 2 small children.
If you are looking for a bigger 4 berth, you may struggle with finding one light enough.
Hi Tanya. The 1250kg Orion model we had was called the 430/4 and had a double fixed bed. The front seats could be used as 2 very short singles or made up into a small double so would work well for you and your daughter. At the time when we bought it several years ago, we were in a similar situation to you where we needed a lightweight caravan and at that time we were tossing up between the Bailey Orion and the Sprite Alpine which were both 4 berth fixed bed models at around the same weight. That’s another one you could investigate.
Quote: Originally posted by Pixie_Hez on 01/8/2022
Hi Tanya. The 1250kg Orion model we had was called the 430/4 and had a double fixed bed. The front seats could be used as 2 very short singles or made up into a small double so would work well for you and your daughter. At the time when we bought it several years ago, we were in a similar situation to you where we needed a lightweight caravan and at that time we were tossing up between the Bailey Orion and the Sprite Alpine which were both 4 berth fixed bed models at around the same weight. That’s another one you could investigate.
Thanks Pixie, I'm relieved to know it's very doable.
Hi if you want comfort and style then why not try an Adria Altea 542 UK probably prior to 2010, We have one and it is massive and extremely light MIRO 1035 Kgs MTPLM 1300 Kgs !!!
Its is like Ikea on Wheels. Its a big long van with 2x massive rear bunks, 1 or two side singles or bunk (5 or 6 sleeps) ,and a huge front double made up bed.
It tows brilliantly also due to massively long drawbar, compared to UK vans.
Quote: Originally posted by Castle Rocks on 01/8/2022
I have a Volvo with 1500 kerb weight and I don't want to get rid of it but if all goes well with the two-berth trial caravan, I want to upgrade to a 4 berth.
Is there an easy way to search for caravans that will be suitable for my car with a 1500 kerb weight?
Thanks
Tanya
Have you checked what the maximum towing weight of you car is? It may be lower than you think. Towing more than the maximum towing weight of the vehicle is illegal and will invalidate your insurance. You should find the maximum towing weight in your registration document.
I agree with Colin that it's important to check the maximum towing capacity of your car, which is a legal requirement. Towing less than the kerb weight is advisory only and applicable if, and only if it's legally permissible to do so.
However, the best place to find the towing capacity of the car is on the VIN plate, which will either be inside the engine bay or inside the pillar between the front and rear doors. The plate will display four weights, of which only the first two are relevant here. The first weight is the maximum permissible weight of the car when fully loaded, the second is the maximum permissible weight of the car and a trailer combined. Determine the towing capacity by subtracting the first weight from the second.
My understanding is that the VIN plate takes legal precedence over the registration document in the event that the figures differ.
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Topic: 1500 Kerb Weight Car
via mobile 01/8/2022 at 12:35pm
