Reck has clearly said a few times in this thread that he has little interest in getting a trailer. If it works for you, that's great, but I really don't think you're going to talk him round...
Also: are you seriously saying each and every time you meet a person in a Hymer with no clue how to drive it on a single track road, you stop, unhitch, push the trailer out of the way, reverse the car, let them past, hitch the trailer and then carry on??
As we tend to camp in remote places, that's enough to put me off small trailers for life!
another reason for NOT getting a trailer is that you then need to have a tow bar fitted... you are then dragging an extra 15-20KG all year round for the sake of a few journeys... this will reduce your fuel consumption all year round.
If you think about it you wouldn't drive round all year with a heavy wardrobe in the boot would you?
Reck has clearly said a few times in this thread that he has little interest in getting a trailer. If it works for you, that's great, but I really don't think you're going to talk him round...
Also: are you seriously saying each and every time you meet a person in a Hymer with no clue how to drive it on a single track road, you stop, unhitch, push the trailer out of the way, reverse the car, let them past, hitch the trailer and then carry on??
As we tend to camp in remote places, that's enough to put me off small trailers for life!
I'm not trying to talk him around (heaven for-fend), just pointing out that towing needn't be a nightmare.
And yes, if the only way to get the campsite I wanted to get to, with the kit I wanted to take meant unhitching a couple of times on route, then that would be fine with me. It's no biggie.
I have had a Zafira and I have driven loads of Tourans (worked for a company part time delivering all sorts of cars to people) both have decent size boot space , but if you want something that is really great for camping and carries absoulutely loads go for a VW Transporter , you will never need a trailer, your'e higher (better for the country lanes) you can sleep in the back of it ,you can carry more people in them they are so much more versatile.
We have a diesel Touran and are very happy with it. We replaced an Astra estate, which had a similar floor space, but was a bit low for diving in and out with stuff, when you have bad backs! The Vectra estate will be a bit wider than the Astra. We went to Carcraft with a tape measure, and spent a happy hour measuring.
PS. We have ordered a VW Transporter conversion for the Autumn! Only because the Touran, tent, and other stuff are now getting past their best, and we aren't as fit as we used to be either!
Got a Galaxy MkIII. 5 of us went camping and managed to get everything in the back with the very rear 2 seats folded down (no roofbox) And we don't go light.. I.E Vermont Xl + carpet and groundsheet. Sleeping bags.. Pillows, 2 wardrobes, 3 tables, 5 chairs, airbeds, Double burner cooker and cooking stand, towels, clothes, food, pots and pans etc.. and a rc1700 3 way fridge and fishing gear..
We looked at Tourans/Zafiras but they were just that little bit to small..
The Touran, Zafira, Ford CMax etc are categorised as mid size mpv's. If you want really big I'd guess the Galaxy mentioned above, Ford SMax, Chrysler Grand Voyager (I think thats what its called) etc would give you loads of room.
We looked at the SMax before deciding to tow, and its cavernous, but DH just didn't want to drive something that big, and when we got the tape measure out we found it wouldn't fit on our drive!
Hi, we've got a volvo estate and since our dog travels in the boot area in a small crate we needed extra space.
Hubby bought a Thule platform that attaches to the tow hitch of the car and he got the Thule bag that I fill with "essentials" and strap it to the platfom. It sits no higher than our tailgate window so doesn't add to fuel consumption like a roof box.
When not used on holidays the platform doubles as a bike carrier, takes three big bikes easily.
The only trouble is that once the bag is on and loaded its a bit of a pia to get off unclipping everything, so to get access to the boot is impossible. The dog's crate needed to be turned around and to get in and out the back seat was folded forward which on a volvo is easy.
We went to the south of France last year with this set up and we got some admiring glances from drivers with roofboxes and trailers while we waited at the toll booths.
To add to Alison's list - the new VW sharan is out later in the year and it has sliding side doors (edit - so does the Mazda mid sized MPV). The Citroen C8, Peugeot 807 and Fiat Ulysses (spelling??) also have the sliding doors, but all three of these are no longer available new in the UK (which is a shame, really).
As I currently own a C8 with slidey doors, I wholeheartedly recommend it! No more kids whacking the car next to you when flinging the door open. No more putting your back out trying to get the baby in & out of the car seat when you're in a tight space... It's amazing! (ours are also electric & remote control - push a button on the key - kids can run to the car and get themselves in ready to be buckled in - we LOVE it!).
We have a VW sharan (same as a galaxy) and in 5 seat mode is huge in the boot, we can fit our dog cage in and the double pushchair and the 3 kids are more than comfy in the back with 3 individual seats, Its a 1.9tdi and we currenly get about 42mpg around town and a bit more on the motorway,
Should be ideal for camping stuff, only problem is getting to roofbox youy may need a little folding step or something.
------------- Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Wow even more cars to add to the list, i'm going to be spoilt for choice here.
Quote: Originally posted by neilster on 26/5/2010
Got a Galaxy MkIII. 5 of us went camping and managed to get everything in the back with the very rear 2 seats folded down (no roofbox) And we don't go light.. I.E Vermont Xl + carpet and groundsheet. Sleeping bags.. Pillows, 2 wardrobes, 3 tables, 5 chairs, airbeds, Double burner cooker and cooking stand, towels, clothes, food, pots and pans etc.. and a rc1700 3 way fridge and fishing gear..
We looked at Tourans/Zafiras but they were just that little bit to small..
OK i'm more hopeful that i'm going to fit everything in now i've read this. We also have a Vermont but only an X and there will be 4 instead of 5, we would also have the roofbox if needed.
Only problem with the Galaxy is that it seems to be quite a bit more expensive than the other mpv's i've been looking at such as the Touran.
It's been really helpful listening to everyone's thoughts and suggestions on this, thanks a lot.
My husband has a renault megane estate. The boot is enormous. Only trouble is, I think they may be redesigning it.
I have a kia sportage and with the roofbox can manage all the stuff for 4 of us, but its a bit of a squash.
At least with little ones you can put stuff at their feet. I put a box on the floor by my 4 year old and stick a couple of pillows on it so he can sleep more comfortably on the journey :)
Another shout out for Volvos here. We are now on our second V70 and had a V40 before that. We have 2 children and have previously fitted everything into the car without things on the roof or behind us - including travel cots and pushchairs. We have just kindly been given a roof rack which we only need as we have expanded our kit - Cadac and going to get a loo. We could still manage in the boot alone and did in May.
The other thing I love about the V70 is that you get a lot of car for your money if you buy wisely second hand and I always feel so safe in it especially when travelling on the motorway.
we use our VW Transporter Kombi for camping . It has the comfort and performance of a car and practicality of a van without looking like a commercial vehicle .
We can fit everything inside including 4 bikes and have even taken the BBQ from the garden before !
Also if everything goes pair shaped with the tent there is enough room for a family of 4 to sleep inside.
Its the perfect vehicle for camping on a large scale.
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: Big Boot, any suggestions?
