Hello, novice upgrading from a trailer tent to possibly an 8ft wide large twin axle 6 berth caravan (such as the Elddis Avante 840 or the Swift Sprite Super Quattro FB) for using at a couple of campsites locally in Cornwall, and also for towing to France - what are peoples experiences of these? Will most campsites accept them? Are they a pain to get into pitches? IS there anything we need to be looking out for in the spec? Also, if we wanted to use it off grid, does the gas work sufficiently for the appliances, and how effective are solar panels? Many thanks
we dont have that model, but do have an elddis twin axle, no bother with being accepted on sites, but going from your trailer tent to towing one os these will come as one big shock to the system. on the road particularly the motorways or dual carriage ways you will know when you have got into the groves! from the hgv's. just plan your route, i find it best to check out entrances using google maps and give yourself a wider turn esp lefthand ones.
as for the gas side of things, not really sure i understand your question, if it wasnt up to the job then there would be no point it being put in the caravan and seeing as we see plenty when we are on rallies i dont think they have ever had an bother, i know ours certainly doesnt, even in the winter other than the bathroom which is right at the back end taking a lot longer to get warmed up! you sure know about it on the night as the loo is blooming cold on your bum
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
We have the 8' wide Elddis caravan and no issue towing it. A lot depends on whether your towing vehicle is suitable for towing up to 2000kg and I don't just mean capable. Many vehicles are capable of towing well over the kerbweight, but would be unsafe.
Once you have towed a twin axle you won't want to tow a single again. They are much more stable on the road and reversing onto a pitch is a doddle. Have never been refused a pitch either in UK or Europe.
I don't really understand your question about gas. We usually have electric hook up but on the odd occasion we don't, again not a problem.
DaveS1
Thanks so much, useful information. Re the gas, I mean my hubby was always a bit anxious about using the gas overnight when off grid in our trailer tent because it was quite an old model but i presume these newer caravans are fully geared up for that! Has anyone got solar panels?
Quote: Originally posted by lucy54321 on 25/7/2023
Thanks so much, useful information. Re the gas, I mean my hubby was always a bit anxious about using the gas overnight when off grid in our trailer tent because it was quite an old model but i presume these newer caravans are fully geared up for that! Has anyone got solar panels?
Most new caravans come with a solar panel or it can also be an optional extra. We have one on our Elddis. With a twin axle All Wheel Drive motor mover is almost essential. Ours is the auto engage Powertouch motor mover.
That's a steep learning curve upgrading so dramatically, doable for sure, but a fair bit of learning to be done with such an extremely large trailer.
I'd towed all sorts of things (but never a caravan!), power boats, car trailers, horse boxes etc. for decades before I bought my van, so the basic principles of towing were well ingrained, and the notion of a caravan held no fears. But got to say the caravan does bring it's own considerations, not least the effect of side winds and HGV bow waves that were never an issue before, and a much higher centre of gravity that affects the trailer handling.
None of the stuff I'd towed before had the body width of the caravan, and mine's only a 7ft 3" wide one, at the height where you have to be aware of other vehicle (especially commercial vehicle) door/wing mirrors, road signs, hedgerows etc. that WILL hit the van if not allowed for. I was used to the axle width, and not clipping kerbs etc. but the body width was a new consideration. I'm fortunate in that my car is wide and the caravan only a little wider, but despite all my past towing experience it took a little time to get into the mind set of towing such a wide bodied trailer.
As to gas appliances, many appliances have a higher power rating running on gas than they do on electricity, so you should have no fears about them being adequate on gas. Biggest problem is things like heating uses quite a lot of gas and your cylinder may not last your stay, best to have a 2nd cylinder (even if only a smaller one) that you can swap to WHEN you run out! Fridge is less of a problem and should (on it's own) typically run for minimum of 3 weeks on a 6Kg cylinder, combined heating and fridge maybe more like 10-14 days if used heavily.
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Topic: 8ft wide 6 berth caravans
via mobile 25/7/2023 at 10:22am
