With the arrival of our first child in December, getting a trailer for this years camping season was always an inevitability! I have just bought an Erde 142 trailer which I will be towing with a MK4 Ford Mondeo Estate.
My grandparents are joining us on our forthcoming summer trip to Cornwall (we're camping, they're in a B&B), and we'd really like to not have to take 2 cars. Would 4 adults, baby, dog plus trailer be overloading the car? We plan to put our big plastic trunk full of bits and pieces plus some bedding in the boot (takes half the boot up - dog will have the other half), with everything else going in the trailer.
Obviously I will be limited to a steady 60mph anyway so will be taking it easy, but with such a precious cargo I wanted to check we're not being completely reckless?
I would say that as long as you think about the weight limit in the car and its distributed evenly and the same goes for the trailer. Stay within the maximum weight the trailer can handle and not exceed the recomended nose weight of the trailer on the tow bar. The other thing to bare in mind when loading the car is that the dog will have enough room to move about unless you intend to do frequent stops
Two adults plus a baby seat in the back seat of a Mondeo might be a bit uncomfortable over a long distance, I would think. Might be best putting the baby seat in the front, if it isn't rearward facing. (Airbag...)
I think though as long as you pay strict attention to the weight limits of both car and trailer you should be okay. These Mondeos can haul a heck of a lot! (Got one myself. ) The boot space is pathetic though, have to say, and a 5' x 3' trailer not that big, so you might be struggling for actual space especially if you're taking stuff like a travel cot and a tent big enough for you all. I'd give it a dry run before you make up your mind for definate. How far do you live from the campsite anyway?
i wouldnt want to be cramed in that tight, but safety wise i dont think there will be an issue, could you get a roof box so the dog can have the full boot,
or you could cable tie the dog to some woof bars and bang on the roof if you see any low bridges. or a senable option send the grandparent down on the train you drive down unload and pick them up at the station.
Quote: Originally posted by mikecandsarhab on 09/5/2010
or you could cable tie the dog to some woof bars and bang on the roof if you see any low bridges.
The suggestion of sending the Grands down by train is workable. We used to do that when my daughter's boyfriend (now her husband) used to come down to the static in Cornwall. He travelled from Liverpool to St. Austell, and we picked him up. Trouble with that one is you have to watch there aren't too many connections.
When my son came down with his girlfriend halfway through one of our holiday fortnights, we picked them up and they were exhausted, having spent 10 hours travelling from the Midlands, changing trains three times and unable to get a seat until they were past Bristol! In view of that, an Express coach would sound like a better option.
Otherwise, we've gone camping in the past with the kids sitting on top of all the bedding, and the portaloo under my feet in the front! Absolutely jammed to the gunn'als and roofrack piled high with towels, surfboards and windbreaks! Be careful of weight, but I wouldn't worry about being packed in like sardines, so long as you make lots of leg-stretch stops.
You don't say how long the journey would be. Ours was 260 miles, which was bearable, even in those cramped conditions!
Think I would be tempted into 2 cars, I know it cost more but a bit safer and can you imagine if by some stroke of luck its actually hot and sunny when you go. It also gives you a bit of flexibility when you get there that your not seeing too much of each other!
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Thanks for the comments everyone! We're traveling from the West Midlands so are really keen not to take 2 cars! I did consider the train option but the 3 changes (and not much time between connections!) together with the extra cost put me off!
I've already loaded the trailer and car with everything we would be taking (including N&G's empty suitcases!) so are sure that we have enough room for kit/luggage etc, it was more the safety aspect of having a car full plus trailer that I was worrying about. That said, the main cabin will be completely free of luggage and I've calculated that we will be well withing the weight limits of both the car and trailer, so (together with your comments) I'm feeling more comfortable about it!
We're right next door to Birmingham, in the Severn Valley, and as I say, we travel to Cornwall packed in like sardines. It's lovely when you get there... open the doors and all fall out!
Yeah, load wise it should be fine. Ours has been happy fully loaded and stuffed to the gunnels, with roofbox and bikes etc.
But do check the back seat for fit for 2 adults + the baby seat if you haven't already. Depending on the seat and the adults in question it can be a bit of a tight fit.
You'll have plenty of room.. the mk.4 mondeo boot (especially estate) is huge - enjoy your trip.. if your tight for space you could always invest in a roofbox (presuming you've got rails fitted?) which would still be cheaper than paying for train tickets :-)
Quote: Originally posted by RobJohPlo on 09/5/2010
You'll have plenty of room.. the mk.4 mondeo boot (especially estate) is huge -
Hohoho....I came from a Renault Savanna estate boot to the Mondeo estate and I think the boot is miniscule by comparison. Miniscule. I had to downsize my kit by at least another 20% when we changed to that car.
Thanks for that! I hadn't considered fitting the baby seat in the middle and thought that it was a no-no safety wise. A quick google reveals that the middle is actually the safest position as long as it can be installed correctly. I've just been out the the car and the seat fits in the middle perfectly, very solid. It will be a lot more comfortable for those in the back now!
We do also have a roofbox which I wasn't going to use (being extra cautious about the load) but might use it after all for the bulky but light stuff (quilts, pillows, camp chairs etc.)
Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 10/5/2010
Quote: Originally posted by RobJohPlo on 09/5/2010
You'll have plenty of room.. the mk.4 mondeo boot (especially estate) is huge -
Hohoho....I came from a Renault Savanna estate boot to the Mondeo estate and I think the boot is miniscule by comparison. Miniscule. I had to downsize my kit by at least another 20% when we changed to that car.
You do realise that we're talking about the mk.4 mondeo estate? I can't believe that you'd imagine that a renault (21) savanna has a bigger boot...
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Topic: 4 adults, baby, dog & trailer - Safe?
