Does anyone out there own an American travel trailer (caravan not 5th wheel)?
Recently purchased one & are looking for sites that accept these relatively large vans. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Caravans towed by a vehicle under 3.5tonnes have to be less than 7 metres long (excluding the drawbar). American trailers often have brake systems that are not legal in the UK.
Most American caravans have onboard tanks for grey waste and black waste. I don't know many sites that would have pull through facilities for such a large combo (You'll need a big beast to tow such a caravan)to use the motorhome waste facilities.
US trailers can be towed legally in UK if tow vehicle is fitted with correct electrical parts. Length limits apply as stated and standard US hitch is 2inch. UK ball is 50mm.
Quote: Originally posted by Billy x on 26/7/2015US trailers can be towed legally in UK if tow vehicle is fitted with correct electrical parts. Length limits apply as stated and standard US hitch is 2inch. UK ball is 50mm.
Incorrect. US trailers have electric braking systems which are not legal in the UK. You would need to change the hitch, and the trailer axle(s).
Yes I did, and from their information it looks pretty unlikely any American caravan that I've seen (and yes I've seen plenty), would not be usable in the UK. Most don't have parking brakes for instance. Then you need a break-away system. How would that operate when the power to the brakes comes from the towing vehicle? Most American tow vehicles (usually pick-up trucks) come with brake controllers already installed from the factory.
WOW some negative comments on hear. Just to clarify there is no at parking at brake like a UK caravan but there is a electric hand brake which once disconnected from the electrics (cable) locks the brakes. Quite a good theft deterrent I thinks. Like most things that are towable it has certain weight and classes of vehicles, license restrictions etc but it is not illegal PS have you seen the breakaway system on these caravans
Quote: Originally posted by freeatlast on 27/7/2015
Yes I did, and from their information it looks pretty unlikely any American caravan that I've seen (and yes I've seen plenty), would not be usable in the UK. Most don't have parking brakes for instance. Then you need a break-away system. How would that operate when the power to the brakes comes from the towing vehicle? Most American tow vehicles (usually pick-up trucks) come with brake controllers already installed from the factory.
Breakaway systems and parking brakes are only needed if the trailer is fitted with over run brakes. I have a couple of 4000kg MGW trailers I tow with my Land Rover that use a hydraulic/air coupled brake system. Unless the trailer is connected to an air supply from the Land Rover, the brakes are locked on so a breakaway or park brake system is not needed. The brakes work through a proportioning valve connected to the brake master cylinder. The harder I brake the harder the trailer brakes are applied. If the trailer separates from the Landy, the air hose will disconnect and the brakes will apply automatically.
As others have said though, most of the big american trailers are over the 7m max body length. If I was going to get a caravan, I would really like one of the American Airstream ones. They do one with a 6.8m body and an overall length of 8.25m which is just road legal in the UK.
I have seen ginormous caravans with or without slide-outs, the most recent one was a converted articulated lorry with a trailer, at Birchwood Tourist Park near Wareham, Dorset.
They tend to stay on site over a period of time once they were there. The pitches that could accommodate them are very limited and are near the entrance to the site.
Also try Long Hazel Park near Yeovil as their advertisement mentions being able to accommodate big American RVs over 30ft. However, I have yet to stay there myself, therefore, not able to comment about the site and its facilities.
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Topic: American travel trailer
via mobile 09/11/2021 at 7:58pm
