Hi - we're looking at purchasing a trailer to transport our camping kit and would appreciate recommendations regarding size of trailer - also is it worth getting a lockable lid? We're a family of 4. Many thanks.
We've had a trailer for a few years now, having downsized from a folding camper. There's a picture of mine in this thread. Ok, so mine is towards the higher end of the price options, but worth it in my opinion, plus if you look at used values you'll see they seem to hold their value well.
The usual advice is to lay out all the kit you intend to put in the trailer in a neat pile to get an idea of the size you will need, but then to DOUBLE the estimation.
I've since added another layer onto mine to effectively make it 3 times what I may have initially thought I needed, and it is still full....
Yes, a lockable lid is well worth it. Keeping the kit dry and secure has obvious benefits.
Hi, we are a family of three humans and two dogs, we have a trailer for camping equipment. It fits everything we need in it, I could not tell you how big it is as we have never measured it! A lock on it is a must especially if you are travelling long distance and need to stop for breaks, also test your lights every time you use the trailer,we discovered an intamitant fault on ours when we were testing it, luckily not far from home.It depends on the amount of equipment you plan to take and for how long you are going.Ours only cost us £60 on ebay then paint and lights (it had a dodgy light board), so it dosnt all ways cost the earth to get one.https://www.flickr.com/photos/23300547 at N02/27052728230/in/dateposted-public/
Family of 4 will have a very wide opinion on whats essential and whats needed.
Whilst away last year there was a caravan loaded with so much stuff the suspension must have been crying out. The car was the same.
Large reclining sun chairs, full awning, bikes and BBQ etc.
No way that was anywhere near to being within the gross laden weight for car or van.
Lockable lid is more of a safety device to prevent it popping open than a theft prevention device. Usually easily opened with a cheap screwdriver.
What are you towing it with? Unbraked = a max of 50% of the cars unladen kerbweight or upto a max of 750kg, whichever is least.
Some cars cannot tow an unbraked trailer of 50% though, so always check what you can tow.
As Grampian mentions check the car handbook for towing a none braked Trailer, the firms Golf I drive is rated to 660kg for none braked Trailer and we tow at 550kg give or take 20kg.
Camping gear tends to eat volume, the weight is not such a big issue, so decent height sides and ABS Lid will add volume, better still Side Extentions will in effect double the volume.
Having read on here, my minimum spec was 5ft x 3ft "A" Frame type, 13" Wheels, ABS Lid and 750kg rated.
So back in 2009 when VAT was reduced to 15% for just that year, I bought the largest Trailer that my £800 budget would allow for.
After a couple of Trips, I decided to add a 520lt RoofBox to the Trailer, and we already had a 380lt RoofBox on the car.
How we coped in the past without a Trailer remains a mystery, and there are only the two of us, although we are on the campsite for a minimum of a fortnight at a time, so we do take a lot of kit.
It would be nice to have all the camping kit in the Trailer, but for us that would mean having to have a braked Trailer.
Thanks to you all - very helpful advice. We have been considering a trailer with extendable sides to gain extra height and from the comments made thus far seems this would be worth investing in. As always, spoilt for choice!!
Get one as big as the car can tow when loaded, and stored with ease at home.
And yes to a lockable lid - I would not be comfortable staying overnight at a motel without one.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
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: Advice re trailer for kit
