I've got a Mondeo and we get in 2 adults, 1 boy and 1 dog together with tents etc. Mind you, we do have a roofbox as well.
I am getting quite worried about this weight issue, tho'. How do I find out what everything weights. I know I can only get 50kg in the roof box but how do I know about the rest of it?
Yes, if that's your maximum loading figure, just add weights, of all people, dog, roof box and anything else that will be going.
If it adds up to less that the max load, fine. If not, you cannot do it.
Fiona 28
Simple answer really. You weigh everything individually. When it's all listed, you will find next time you may only need to weigh three or four items. The alternative is to load the car with everything you're taking and get down to the weighbridge.
Don't try to guess, you will be miles out. Penalties are severe., so it's well worth doing.
Two cars every time for us. We got used to two cars when Richard waas working away from home, and I would go and set up, and he would join us on site. When we took one car, only the driver had any room to move, driver usually being Richard. Kids and I had stuff under our feet, on top of use etc. Never again - not only have the kids got bigger, but we now have a puppy who is getting bigger by the day, and is going to be a largish dog if he carries on growing he way he has since we got him.
OK there is the extra fuel, and a charge for an extra car on some sites - but for the comfort levels it is worth it. What's more is that we don't use both cars on days out et6c - one just stays parked up. Also means that if I want to nip anywhere without Richard, I don't have the hassle of altering the driving seat, seat belt and mirrors - which is a pain espeically, when you are only nipping the the nearest shop for a pint of milk.
Richard will now tow the camper, and I will have the two kids and dog with me.
Also means that Richard can smoke when he wants which is a big NO NO when the kids are in the car.
I've got a Mondeo and we get in 2 adults, 1 boy and 1 dog together with tents etc. Mind you, we do have a roofbox as well.
I am getting quite worried about this weight issue, tho'. How do I find out what everything weights. I know I can only get 50kg in the roof box but how do I know about the rest of it?
Errrm, you could weigh it. Stand on scales, weigh yourself (in kg), then pick up each item or box of items and weigh again. The difference is how much the items weigh. Do this with all the stuff you are taking. Then weigh all the people. Then add the whole lot together to give you the total weight. Provided this is less than the load weight specified then you'll be ok.
I have a Honda CRV which is quite big but without a trailer or a roof box there's no way I could get more than the camping stuff and one or at a real pinch two passengers in the car, nor would I attempt to do so.
Putting the Aruba upright behind the front passenger seat distributes the load sensibly and being able to stack boxes and blankets on the rear passenger seats makes it much easier to load the car tidily.
Have you though of sending some of the family down on the train if you really don't want to take two cars? That's the option we've always gone for.
Thanks, guys. Sounds like a long process but it has to be done. At least I know already what the tent, poles, extension weigh. It's only the smaller things to lug on and off.
Quote: Originally posted by coffeetime on 23/7/2009
Oh please no come on surely you could squeeze it all camping is all about the outdoors surly we all need to lower our carbon footprint just squish it all in your suspension will be fine as will your fuel why would you want to take 2 cars.
x
If we are talking about carbon footprints, maybe the persons concerned have an extremely considered attitude for the rest of the year and this is there only big indulgence in regard to thier carbon footprint....
Quote: Originally posted by coffeetime on 23/7/2009
Oh please no come on surely you could squeeze it all camping is all about the outdoors surly we all need to lower our carbon footprint just squish it all in your suspension will be fine as will your fuel why would you want to take 2 cars.
x
If we are talking about carbon footprints, maybe the persons concerned have an extremely considered attitude for the rest of the year and this is there only big indulgence in regard to thier carbon footprint....
I suspect the amount of CO2 we will generate in our 2 cars is a less than some larger cars produce on their own? We get 50mpg out of both the Picasso and the Picanto which is a mixture of light-footed driving and the right engines.
We take two cars, its the safest way really otherwise craming all the gear in and arround the kids surrley is hazardous.
We miss not all traveling together but it does take the stress out of packing and traveling.
Surley two partialy load cars with no roof boxs or trailers (and one of those cars only a little savvy 1.2) wont do too much more damage to the environmentally that one heavily packed car with roof and trailer?
Do what you want to do and what makes life easier for you!
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Topic: Taking two cars vs one full car
which is a big NO NO when the kids are in the car.
