My skoda Fabia 1.2 has a braked towing limit of 800kg,having plunked buttons on internet as you do it seems Freedon caravans are a good source of lightweight caravans, any others to suggest?
Freedom is no good for you at 6ft3", bed is across caravan. Eriba Puck will be better because you sleep along the caravan. Only other one I can think of is a Kip Kompact, unusual find in the UK but you sleep along 'van in these. Next size up Eriba Pan might do the job if it is an old one with all up 750kg but you would need to find a lengthways bed version as most are across bed of only 1.83mtres.
Any 'van small enough for your car with across bed will have bed length of around 1.9mtres(ie just under 6ft3")or less. With a wall at top & bottom of bed you cannot fail to wake up with aching legs. With a lengthways bed you can hang your feet over end.....voice of experience.
I have a Kip Kompakt 1982, at 460kg unladen 650 laden its a doddle to tow. The beds are around 6ft, maybe more. But rare, they do occasionally come up on ebay.
Next best is to go here: The newer ones are a bit heavier at 750 unladen, but might still be a goer. Kip Caravans
There are a few other caravans with pop up roofs that are lightweight as well, like the Fleurette Tamaris. Other than that, if you want a lot of room, you could go for a trailer tent/folding camper.
I would be wary of towing with a 1200 engine, realistically, you need something at least at the 1600cc range. All cars will tow anything, as the manual will tell you, however, it's how far they will tow that's the problem. Like towing something heavy might only go up the road and around the corner before it gives up.
I tow with a 1600cc Nissan Almera automatic and have no trouble, but on the long slow hills you would struggle with an engine smaller than that. Realistically, I think you need to go for a trailer tent/folding camper - head over to the trailer tent forum and ask the same question there.
Thanks for replies I currently have a 4 metre bell tent which I really like and a small trailer to cart all my camping stuff in so not looking for a trailer tent, rather stay with my tent tent. Just had a notion for a caravan as well!
------------- real men shouldn't be crying into their beer, they should be drinking whisky.
For your car I would go for an Eriba Puck or nothing, really. Its only 500kg empty & a streamlined egg. They are rather expensive but you can find 80s 'vans still in good nick, find a good one & it should see you out. Check carefully underneath for rust in the square tube chassis members & don't bother with a rusty one, there are plenty of rust free examples that have been garage stored.
You may also find some of the folding or poptop caravans may suit your needs, always lighter than their fixed bodied big brothers, but still with the same degree of ridgidity once erected on site. There was a Caravan programme on Quest yesterday that took a tour of these easy to erect folders, l was quite amazed how quick and easy they were to set up.
They had filmed a full demo of about 4 different models at a large well known caravan dealers, and very nice they were too.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Have a look at a Freedom. There are different models. I had a Freedom Sunseeker, 1992 4 berth and slept in the crossways bed easily. I'm 6'4". Yes they make smaller ones like the microlight but all are 750kg max weight.
I towed with a Mini Metro although it was a diesel, 1.4litre with no turbo. That towed fine as long as I didn't try steep hill starts. I didn't ever have a problem although had to drop to 1st gear a few times.
I also think you will struggle with a 1.2 petrol, but if you are patient and don't try to go to fast, it will be OK.. Trouble with caravans is the wind resistance.
This is a Fiat Panda towing a Freedom Microlight so it is possible.
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Topic: below 8ookg van
