Returning to Caravanning after a break of over 15 years.
No caravan as yet, but purchase is imminent. Doing the viewing and have money burning a hole in my pocket!
I would welcome you thoughts, views and experiences or the following:
I looking to spend about 5-7k on a car.Think a good old reliable Ford Mondeo, but should I be getting a 4x4? What do you consider to be a solid tow car?
The caravan 4 berth with fixed bed. What is the most popular and best all weather caravan?
What must have item should I have for my return to caravanning?
Look forward to your thoughts, views and comments.
For a good light'ish unit you could consider the Sprite Alpine 4 (fixed bed) we use ours all year round, warm in winter and every thing on board that we need (no microwave, thank goodness!).Towed by a small 4x4 giving 33-35mpg with a good 2.0TDi, 138bhp, good torque engine. With good stability on the road and also extra traction on muddy fields; Skoda Octavia Estate 4x4 giving a good towing ratio and match.
The layouts I have seen tend to be much the same for fixed beds, I guess its the weigth of the caravan which differs and therefore impacts on your cars towing capability. Also the whistles and bells differ on makes\models.
I am thinking a 6m length had a look at sterling, elddis, swift.
Actually was thinking about a Skoda Octavia as a good compromise i.e car with 4 x 4. So thanks for give it a thumbs up
Ideally and it is only a guideline, the caravans MTPLM (my Sprite is 1,230kg) needs to be 85% of the cars kerbweight/mass in service found in the V5C (Octavia is 1,495kg) giving me a ratio of 82%. The 4x4 has a towing limit of 1,600kg, standard Octavia's are lower with lower kerbweights.
Yeh, been reading up on that, and now realise the caravans I am interested in are around 1400kg so I am going to need a car with a kerbweight with 1600kg, yes?
So an Octavia is not going to cut it? Although it can tow upto 1600kg it would be almost 100% ratio, so not go.
Correct. The 85% ratio is only a guideline and you could go up to 100%, lots of debate and arguments on that one! It’s all down to each individual’s choice.
Skoda Superb, VW Passat, Audi A4, Mondeo, then of course the SUV range, Skoda Yeti, Nissan X-trail, KIA, Volvo, etc., etc.
Good luck.
Our Mondeo has been an excellent tow car. Seen us through 2 caravans, both fixed bed. A swift MTPLM of around 1300 and a bailey at 1400. A little heavy for the Mondeo in theory but we've had no problems. Saying that we are just changing car mainly due to the high mileage I do and a small inheritance, to a 4x4. Model as yet undecided. Also gives us a bit more flexibility if we change caravans in the future. But would definitely recommend the Mondeo. Good fuel consumption too.
Alison
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Returning to the Dark Side ; )
It’s all down to each individual’s choice.
