I'm just getting the caravan up together that we have just purchased and we are novices. This might sound a bit daft but it's bothering me. I have placed everything in the van we need and made sure the items are distributed well on both sides. We purchased a 110 amp battery that is very heavy. Do we take it in car before placing in battery compartment, or would it be OK to tow with it in place?, I'm thinking that side will be heavy with it. Thanks
Place it in the battery compartment, there should be securing straps in the compartment, and tow with it in place, if you have the correct wiring in place from the car to the van and switch the fridge on to battery it will keep the fridge cool whilst towing and keep the battery charged.
There is no such thing as a daft question, if we didnt ask questions and make mistakes we would not learn anything
Before going anywhere check weight of loaded caravan on public weighbridge and check nose weight (using bathroom scales and timber batten will suffice). Loaded weight of caravan should be around 85% of your cars kerbweight and MUST NOT exceed the max towing capacity of your car. (see vehicle V 5 document or din plate).
Best to keep the van battery in its proper place in the caravan locker, strapped and secured safely. Check both battery connections are tight too. This will save you a lot of heaving a heavy battery about when you arrive on site and again when you leave.
I agree with the others, leave the battery in its compartment. The caravan would have been designed with that in mind, and they are heavy things to lug around.
There is also the safety consideration, which is perhaps the most important.
Imagine firing a 110ah battery at 60mph and standing in front of it. That's what could happen in an accident. Most restraints would fail, as would the back seat, and it would come through and hit either the driver or passenger.
We have just come back from first weekend away. Kept battery in place locked housing and all was fine, except for some faults we need to remedy on caravan which I'll post for a bit of advise. Thanks all.
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Topic: towing with leisure battery
