Preparing for a visit to France next week ,need to shed more weight. Mover, battery, Fiamma Caravanstore= almost half of my payload allowance. So, I have removed all of the carpets, some of the cushions,been through all of the cupboards and had a good clear out.
Already have a Calor Lite gas bottle , but keen on losing more weight.Thinking about removing the Status Ariel too??.On previous 4 berth van I removed the bunk and ladder etc. There are only two of us in the car (sportage) and a small dog, so plenty of room.we don't take much food ,just tea,coffee and a few biscuits. Any other suggestions?
As far as weight goes I treat caravanning like backpacking.
Look at what you want to take and then narrow that down to only taking what you really need.
Obviously buying the lightest items in the first place helps.
Is there a particular reason for reducing weight, seems extreme stripping carpets out and removing aerial etc or is your payload really low??
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
Carpets were the first thing out and they saved 7kg.
We don't take the freestanding table when there's just two of us - that's another 7kg
Spare wheel in the back of the truck - 25kg
I've taken a couple of shelves out that I don't use as well.
We went from a 250kg payload in our previous van to 135 and most of that was taken up with movers, battery and gas (older van so not included) I got a bit panicky. In fact we are fine but the awning couldn't travel in the van
When my missus got let loose on the caravan after we bought it, there were 15 (15!) T towels and enough cutlery for a festival. Then the toiletries,condiments,washing up things. I've explained it every time we go to the caravan but it hasn't/won't sink in. And theres the scrabble,kerplunk and buckeroo ....not for the kids mind.
I'm waiting to be pulled over and let him/her explain it.
------------- Too old to put up a tent but still like waking up to skies and grass...not a cold hotel
Plastic crockery and plastic 'glassware' is safer and loads lighter. Empty water heaters and toilet as water is very heavy. Carry a minimum of food as this is unwanted weight too. Pack basic toiletries and buy anything else you need when you arrive. Lightweight gas bottles a must. Don't take clothing you don't need and if you pack a towel less than you need there will be a shop selling towels somewhere near your location should you actually need it. Make sure all electrical appliances are going to be used or leave them at home (bread maker/ slow cooker/ hairdryer etc.). If you carry a bbq for fun it is wasting weight but if you use it it is not. Make sure you carry only the outside furniture you need and not spare chairs, tables, pup tents etc. And leave the awning at home if you are not going to use it. These are just some ideas - the list for weight saving is almost endless.
------------- Why am i doing this instead of camping??!!
Quote: Originally posted by cugsy on 03/4/2014
When my missus got let loose on the caravan after we bought it, there were 15 (15!) T towels and enough cutlery for a festival. Then the toiletries,condiments,washing up things. I've explained it every time we go to the caravan but it hasn't/won't sink in. And theres the scrabble,kerplunk and buckeroo ....not for the kids mind.
I'm waiting to be pulled over and let him/her explain it.
We carry as much as we can in the car . Heavy type clothes , awning, foody things but we like to fill the fridge with frozen meals. To save money and cooking while away. We also make up the fixed beds.
I want to take bikes so they are going in the van . I may have too much but I hope not it does worry me .
Quote:
I want to take bikes so they are going in the van . I may have too much but I hope not it does worry me .
I used to take bikes in the van but they are quite heavy, 2 adult bikes are around 30Kg and you do risk damaging the furniture if they break loose. I now have roof bars with a couple of cheap (£15 odd) bike carriers and find it a better option.
Quote: Originally posted by cugsy on 03/4/2014
When my missus got let loose on the caravan after we bought it, there were 15 (15!) T towels and enough cutlery for a festival. Then the toiletries,condiments,washing up things. I'm waiting to be pulled over and let her explain it.
Has anyone been pulled over? I know there are recommended weight limits but do the police actually stop detecting real crime (or drinking coffee in the police station) for long enough to actually stop any caravans? I keep the caravan weight down for safety and to save fuel but if it gets a bit over for a short journey does it matter? Who is ever going to check? I think we need to be sensible and not overload for our own safty.
------------- We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.
Quote: I want to take bikes so they are going in the van . I may have too much but I hope not it does worry me .
I used to take bikes in the van but they are quite heavy, 2 adult bikes are around 30Kg and you do risk damaging the furniture if they break loose. I now have roof bars with a couple of cheap (£15 odd) bike carriers and find it a better option.
They are supposed to be light weight they are fold up . I do put an old sleeping bag over them I thought they would be lighter than or awning and clothes. I can't weigh all this though so I have to guess.
Quote: Originally posted by jsparkes201148 on 03/4/2014Preparing for a visit to France next week ,need to shed more weight. Mover, battery, Fiamma Caravanstore= almost half of my payload allowance. So, I have removed all of the carpets, some of the cushions,been through all of the cupboards and had a good clear out.
Already have a Calor Lite gas bottle , but keen on losing more weight.Thinking about removing the Status Ariel too??.On previous 4 berth van I removed the bunk and ladder etc. There are only two of us in the car (sportage) and a small dog, so plenty of room.we don't take much food ,just tea,coffee and a few biscuits. Any other suggestions?
You've added a motor mover, which probably weighs 30 to 40 kg - and you're proposing (inter alia) to remove an aerial which weighs maybe 500g.
You need to strip out a heck of a lot twiddly bits to make up for that mover.
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Topic: Weight saving strategies??
