After months of looking and prices going up faster than I could save I hit lucky this morning. Doing a friend a favour I found myself in a factory unit that is being cleared out ready to go up for sale. There was a German twin axle van in there. I was offered it for £200. There is a caravan mechanic at the other end of the estate. Mechanic popped along for me, confirmed no damp and road worthy so it's now mine. Does need a lot of work inside but that doesn't bother me. So pleased I can camp in comfort at this year's agility shows
------------- Good cakes aren't cheap. Cheap cakes aren't good
I was going to say that although the caravan is not huge, it is German and twin axle and will still weigh quite a bit, is it under the recommended 85% towing rule of the vivaro? Albeit a vivaro can tow 2000kg. My car docs state my car can tow 3000kg but the car weighs a lot less. I'm making the assumption you will be new to towing and I may be wrong but I suppose after months of searching you have done the calculations regarding weights. Good luck
Congratulations and hopefully you have the B+E driving license as the combination will exceed 3500kg and you do not want to be stopped as they will not allow you to continue.
Quote: Originally posted by Grandad Kenny on 15/1/2018
I was going to say that although the caravan is not huge, it is German and twin axle and will still weigh quite a bit, is it under the recommended 85% towing rule of the vivaro? Albeit a vivaro can tow 2000kg. My car docs state my car can tow 3000kg but the car weighs a lot less. I'm making the assumption you will be new to towing and I may be wrong but I suppose after months of searching you have done the calculations regarding weights. Good luck
No such thing as an 85% towing RULE ... it is what some have recommended in the past.
Recent writings have suggested that the idea came from nothing very specific, but was taken up by one of the 'clubs', since when it has become, sort of, written in stone.
There appears to be no foundation whatsoever in the figure ... what is important is to adhere to the vehicle manufacturers towing weight numbers.
Agree fully Kelper, rule is not the correct word, recommended towing ratio is a better explanation. I look at some of the units when touring abroad and am sometimes gob smacked to see the size of the towing vehicle compared to the large size of the caravan. I believe there is some foundation to it regardless of where it came from, i have a car weighing 2.5 tonne with a towing weight of 3 tonne. I dread to think how it would all behave if I ever put the combination together and things went wrong, a blowout at 60mph for instance. The foundation is clearly based on safety. I always thought manufacturers towing weights were based on a 1:8 hill start and not towing at 60 mph, but I may be wrong!
Congratulations on your purchase, however a Vivaro van pulling a German built twin axle caravan! I'd make sure if you booking sites you phone beforehand and tell them what outfit you driving as some sites might mistake you for another type of caravan fraternity.
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: I`m joining the dark side
