Quote: Originally posted by jennifernn on 01/7/2009 Or those who sit in their car eating sandwiches.
That's because if others are like us, the caravan is full of all the awnings, poles, aquarolls,genny, sat dishes,beer and wine, cooler,tables, chairs, etc etc. There's no room left for us until we get there!!!
That doesn't necessarily mean you can put the rest i.e. 950kg in the van. It probably has a load allowance of 200 kg or so. What's your MTPLM? And, of course, what is the actual loaded weight of the caravan?
We had a Volvo 940, it could also tow 1800kg, but the car kerb weight was 1450kg and the van MTPLM 1300kg.
Now we have an XC90, it can tow 2250kg, kerb weight is about 2050kg, and van MTPLM 1900kg (uprated from the original 1815).
Van total payload is 370kg, but by the time we add all the usual stuff (gas, battery etc) and equipment for a 2/3 month trip, plus Fiamma, Mover, shocks and air con, we are getting close to that.
Table, chairs, Aquaroll, rest of Fiamma, wheel and hitch clamps, coolbox, tools, cameras etc etc are all in the car.
I have been watching this post and with all the banter that goes with it.Firstly I do not have a caravan.I don't think the sign for not putting the legs down is so you have to go and eat there.If that was the case they would try and bring in something to stop others in cars from eating in the cars.They still make a profit any way one way or other.
Some one mentioned about legs not making a hole in the tarmac.They might not when it is cold but when it is hot like it is lately it could.Aks any motorcyclist about putting a bike on the centre stand and it is most likely dig on one side and fall over.
Has anybody on this thread actually got a van without the plastic 'feet' that spread the load so its legs do not sink into a grass field? Nearly all caravan owners have them and if it stops your legs sinking into the field, there is no way they will sink into the tarmac! I have a caravan and a motorbike and i always use a plastic 'coaster' under the side stand of the bike on grass or tarmac. Not because i care about the surface - i do not want my bike to sink into the grass/tarmac because it may well fall over! Loadsa money to fix it Or £1 for plastic coaster lol! I hate my van rocking because legs sink into surface so i have plastic feet on ends of legs. The other advantage is is does not damage the surface it is parked on. Ignore the signs and put your legs down if you want - the service stations cannot enforce their own parking rules due to lack of staff/lack of interest so you have almost no chance of being asked to put your legs up! Just remember to put them back up before you drive off.....
Quote: Originally posted by bordercaz on 02/7/2009
Quote: Originally posted by jennifernn on 02/7/2009
................ and equipment for a 2/3 month trip, .............. and air con,.....
There you are then. They probably only have stuff for 2 weeks at the most, and no air con unit.
My chairs, table, awning etc all travel in the van and it isn't overloaded.
It was the mention of a generator, and the beer and wine, that made me think of overloading!
We don't actually take much more stuff for a 2/3 month trip than for a 2/3 week trip, just some extra reading matter.
Having added about 90kg to the van with the aircon, mover, shocks and Fiamma, we uprated the MTPLM by 85 kg to leave us some spare weight.
I should imagine the payload on a lighter van is probably a good deal less than on a heavier one, certainly the towing capability of the towcar has nothing to do with the allowed MTPLM of the van. Just mentioned it in case any new caravanners should get the wrong idea.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Keep your legs up at the services
Or £1 for plastic coaster lol! I hate my van rocking because legs sink into surface so i have plastic feet on ends of legs. The other advantage is is does not damage the surface it is parked on. Ignore the signs and put your legs down if you want - the service stations cannot enforce their own parking rules due to lack of staff/lack of interest so you have almost no chance of being asked to put your legs up! Just remember to put them back up before you drive off.....
