LOL,
I remember when we started camping, 2 Adults & 1 Child, Vango Diablo 600 & all the trimmings in our VW Golf ............. now, 5 years later, I'm struggling with a Zafira, Roofbox & Erde 142 with high sides!
Trailers are never big enough, as has been said many times before, decide which trailer you need to fit in all your gear, then buy the next size up!
Seriously though, it's not too hard/expensive to make your own high sides, I managed it & I'm a carpentry clown at best!
Took me a couple of weekends and about £60 for materials (inclusing woodstain) to double it's size & I'm chuffed to bits with it:
------------- Never argue with an idiot ........
They will drag you down to their level, and then beat you with experience!
Good tip about the spare wheel, also I have fitted locking wheel nuts to my trailer wheels as they are 13" car size, more nickable than 8"/10" wheels was my thinking, they are cheap to buy and could save you a big headache.
Trailor--- The smaller the trailor the harder to reverse, the bigger the trailor the easier it is. I have both a 5ft x 3ft and its a real B---H to reverse even after almost 4yrs but better now with practise. The big trailor is the base of a small caravan and is a dream to reverse.
Packing trailor as already said pack in reverse order ie tent last is first out, and so on.
So go get some practise and you could also try a practise pack with the trailor, enjoy all the experience and what you cry at now, you will bring great joy to many as you tell them of your trails and tribulations hahaha.
We have recently changed our car from an estate to a hatchback and yesterday decided to have a try at packing it ready for our next camping trip in June. After a few raised voices we decided it's a no go and we already have a roof box! Luckily last week I noticed a trailer advertised in our local post office, we went to see it last night and are now the proud owners of a Erde 122. It is like new, only used twice with cover and lock for only £100!
I just means that Hubby will have to all the driving though, as although I am in my 30's I only passed my test in 2008 so can't tow, What a shame, he,he! (the things I do to get out of driving!)
The only thing is now we have no tow bar to take it home!
Can anyone recommend a reasonable tow bar fitter in the South Cheshire/ North Staffs area please?
Driving a car with a small trailer is very easy...Just forget you have the trailer attached just drive normally but remember, no faster than 60mph. The trailer will just follow you around corners...there's no need for big swings. The weight of the trailer is neglible regarding the braking performance of your vehicle.
Hi Have had my trailer for about 5 years. its a 5 x 3 and soon found with camping that i needed to make a plywood "box" that just fits inside the trailer and extends the height by another 12 inches.
I also just made a cycle rack for it to carry 3 bikes and uprated the suspension arms to 500kg with 12" min wheels.
One thing that did catch me out last year was I got done my the police for using the thrid lane on a motorway. I realised trucks never use it and when i thought about it, i'd never seen a caravan in it but forgot I had the trailer on the back. The police man reminded me that ANY articulated vehicle is not allowed in the third lane.
What does help with reversing is one of those plastic clip/stick on mirrors that fits on my rear window. it lets you see the trailer in your mirror when driving along and reversing and you can see for reversing without the trailer.
One thing that does annoy me is my reversing sensors going mad when i reverse with the trailer on.
The weight in the trailer should be biased to keeping a load on the tow ball of the car.
Put the tent in the boot / saloon is a good tip as its the first thing you will need and if you need to put it away wet, always take some bin bags. Put the went tent loosley rolled up in a bin bag and find room for it in the trailer rather than the car.
So long as the trailer is less then 750Kg you should be fine to tow on an old license.
There are a few more rules see below!
But for a simple camping trailer in most cases it should be fine to tow on a modern license.
Car licences obtained on or after 1 January 1997
If you passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 you're limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass towing a trailer up to 750kgs, or a vehicle and trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes MAM providing the MAM of the trailer doesn't exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle. You will need to pass an additional driving test in B+E if you wish to tow a caravan or trailer combination which exceeds these weight limits.
Im so glad many of you cant/dont reverse these trailers as it makes myself feel far better as i too have tried and cant seem to do it, and always end up in a huff then jump out and push the bloody thing onto the pitch or up the drive!!
I can't reverse mine either! If we are in a jam, he has to unhitch it.
at service stations, I either go with the caravans or park in the back of space for the cars and pull through and take up two spaces.
Tight corners, like mini roundabouts when you need to make a left or right turn can be tricky, but drive thru McD's are easy enough.
and yes, pack the first thing you need on site on the top. We have ours down to a fine art. He even remembers now that the tent is always on top at the back end and dishes etc are in the front end, Wine is in the ice chest...
we have a split top with a piano hinge so either side can lay flat back on the other side best £100 of camping equipment we ever got.
------------- the bigger the berry, sweeter the juice.
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: Trailer virgins, tips needed
