Quote: Originally posted by arthurdent on 08/8/2021
Quote: Originally posted by hankakampa on 07/8/2021
im thinking of buying a small 2 berth caravan to tow behind my Campervan.
Why ? What do you want the caravan to do that your campervan doesnt do ? Any recommendation would be better if that was known.
For instance if you dont want another bathroom that brings teardrop trailers into the reckoning.
Because I need a loo and shower which my compact camper doesn't have. I don't want a motorhome as I can't use it as a car then which i sometimes do with my compact camper, plus my neighbours would have a melt down if I bought a motorhome, they already don't like the camper!
I'd say, you pays your money and takes your chance on something like a 10 year old van. Lunar, having gone bust, makes no difference with a van so old anyway. But it could lever a bit more money off one when haggling. Spares for most older vans are easy to source. If you find a layout thats your style, and the vans dry - whatever the make, i'd go for it.
I noticed that you referred to your vehicle as a "compact camper" which sounds to me like it's a very small vehicle. Have you worked out the maximum weight you can tow as this might be extremely low if your van is as compact as it sounds?
Quote: Originally posted by Rob and Tina on 09/8/2021
I noticed that you referred to your vehicle as a "compact camper" which sounds to me like it's a very small vehicle. Have you worked out the maximum weight you can tow as this might be extremely low if your van is as compact as it sounds?
Rob
Yes its a small camper 5m long and just under 2m wide, so about the size of a family estate car really, just taller.
the maximum allowed towhook weight is 100kg and the braked trailer is 2500kg.
seems a very light maximum on the tow hook for the overall maximum trailer weight?
most of the caravans iv seen and liked seem to be around the 1200 -1400kg trailer weight and I guess the tow hook weight can be adjusted slightly by how its loaded so its compliant.
I imagine a jockey wheel weighting scales will be useful until I get the knowing of how much things to put where in the caravan once I buy one!
Quote: Originally posted by JuanHuNose on 08/8/2021
Quote: Originally posted by Andy Sl on 08/8/2021
Lunar have been taken over https://www.lep.co.uk/business/sale-confirmed-prestons-lunar-caravans-saved-administration-664448
Thats 2 year old news. They were `saved` but have since gone again, permanently it appears.
Lunar are still registered as an active company at Companies House, and there is activity with Director changes this year, indeed this month. May be too early to right them off just yet, they may rise again, the directors of the 2019 administration takeover have now resigned and a new majority shareholder/director is in place, but the lack of production for 2 years does not bode well, hopefully that can significantly be put down to Covid impact in one way or another!
Shame what happened, I liked their style, and their build quality seemed mostly to edge just above some of the competition. I'd welcome the brand back to the market place.
As already mentioned, the make is almost irrelevant on a circa 10 year old van, it's ALL about condition and lack of damp, as well as layout, weight etc. suiting your needs.
All the appliances, and most of the fittings are bought in items, including the chassis/running gear, that are common across brands, so spares and replacements are independent of van manufacturer. About the only parts that are specific to the original manufacturer are body panels, interior cabinets/soft furnishings, and probably rear light units, but much of that can be sourced s/h from caravan breakers. Be aware that replacing cabinets is rarely an easy task because of the way caravans are assembled, with interior built first and exterior panels fitted last (rendering many cabinet fixings now unreachable!)!
You do need to give thought to caravan weights and compatibility to tow vehicle, AND your driving test/licence being pre/post 1997, as towing weight limits differ without addition test being taking post 1997.
Nose weight is critical to towing stability (and limited by both caravan chassis AND tow vehicle), and really can only be 'adjusted' my how you load items in van, heavy items should not be placed in extreme rear of van to give correct nose weight, as that gives very unstable and even dangerous towing characteristics, heavy items should always go low down and over axle, moving/removing items from front of van is usual method of getting nose weight correct. Bathroom scales and a piece of wood to get tow hitch to correct tow ball height is perfectly adequate for checking weight.
We hitch up the caravan and then go inside and place a spirit level (fore and aft)centrally over the axle. You can then move cargo around from the front locker to inside or vice versa. When horizontal you are good to go.
One tip,when checking level, stand either side of the bubble and over the axle. Otherwise your own weight corrupts the reading.
After a while you will instinctively know where to put all your gubbins.
Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 12/8/2021
As already mentioned, the make is almost irrelevant on a circa 10 year old van, it's ALL about condition and lack of damp, as well as layout, weight etc. suiting your needs.
All the appliances, and most of the fittings are bought in items, including the chassis/running gear, that are common across brands, so spares and replacements are independent of van manufacturer. About the only parts that are specific to the original manufacturer are body panels, interior cabinets/soft furnishings, and probably rear light units, but much of that can be sourced s/h from caravan breakers. Be aware that replacing cabinets is rarely an easy task because of the way caravans are assembled, with interior built first and exterior panels fitted last (rendering many cabinet fixings now unreachable!)!
You do need to give thought to caravan weights and compatibility to tow vehicle, AND your driving test/licence being pre/post 1997, as towing weight limits differ without addition test being taking post 1997.
Nose weight is critical to towing stability (and limited by both caravan chassis AND tow vehicle), and really can only be 'adjusted' my how you load items in van, heavy items should not be placed in extreme rear of van to give correct nose weight, as that gives very unstable and even dangerous towing characteristics, heavy items should always go low down and over axle, moving/removing items from front of van is usual method of getting nose weight correct. Bathroom scales and a piece of wood to get tow hitch to correct tow ball height is perfectly adequate for checking weight.
Thankyou very much for this comprehensive and really helpful reply!. I appreciate the time it took to write this and helping me out with many things to now be aware of. I passed my test pre 97 so I have the older allowance of towing!
As I just want a small caravan I don't imagine ill be getting close to the towing limits even for my license. My camper is a Vw California 2.0 150 horsepower, so its not a big heavy vehicle.
Have you had a look at GOBUR caravans in Norfolk? Light trailer and Folding Caravan, very little risk of damp as they're made from aluminium, good after sales service and they have a stock of used vans.
------------- Some days you are the dog,
some days you are the tree.
Firstly, good news as regards your towing vehicle. The VW California (based on the Transporter van as far as I'm aware) with the 2.0 TDI 150bhp engine should be quite capable of towing up to about 1700kg which covers most caravans on the market today (except perhaps for the very largest twin axles).
Best thing you can do is to go and look at some caravans and find an interior layout that you're comfortable with. If you're looking to use it primarily for the toilet and shower, I would suggest looking for an end washroom layout which will probably have a separate shower cubicle, as opposed to a wet room. You might also find a layout with a fixed double bed, which might be tempting for you (though making a bed up from the front seats really isn't difficult).
Once you have found a layout that you like, you can use the 'Caravan finder' website to identify other models with the same floor plan - all of the manufacturers basically copy each other as far as this goes. As others have said, the manufacturer is of little reference unless you happen to like a particular decor. All of the main components (chassis, electrical systems, heating systems, fridge, shower etc) are made by third parties in any case. Age is also much less important than condition and the big thing to be concerned about is damp. Look everywhere for it (including under seats and inside cupboards). If you can smell damp anywhere or any of the walls feel spongy, walk away. If you go to view the caravan and all of the doors and windows are open, ask yourself why.
A final point is that you don't need to spend anything like £10k on a caravan (though of course you can). Prices have gone a bit silly this year as a result of so-called 'staycations' but should hopefully fall again this winter or early next year. We bought our first caravan for £3k 6 years ago and are still using it.
------------- "Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."
Quote: Originally posted by hankakampa on 09/8/2021
Because I need a loo and shower which my compact camper doesn't have.
Not being funny here, but if you mainly want a caravan for the toilet and shower ... have you considered a toilet tent and a thetford plus a shower eg ?
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.
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via mobile 09/8/2021 at 2:25pm
