100th

[(RIP) rustygates]

Hi all,
Just completed my 100th visited caravan sites in the UK in 7yrs,yes im a saddo for keeping records of where we have been from Sango Sands in the far north of Scotland to Lands end in Cornwall, they have been mostly cl sites and without the Terranos i would have been knackered on some sites.

rustygates

[jonela]

I have been looking on E bay at caravans. I would like one of a reasonable size but the Lwb is an auto so can only pull 1.7ton have you or any others got any suggestions or advice on buying a second hand caravan

[firebobby]

All depends on what you have to spend, what lay out you want, we have a Lunar, which is quite a lightweight.

[(RIP) rustygates]

Exactly that firebobby,

Is it a two or four berth you want, single axle or twin axle, do you need a fixed bed or not,the list is endless, a van after 2005 has all the gizmos like hot water and less likely to have had water ingress.it took me 12 months to get the one that fitted mt criteria.

rustygates.

[geoffdown]

I have been looking on E bay at caravans. I would like one of a reasonable size but the Lwb is an auto so can only pull 1.7ton have you or any others got any suggestions or advice on buying a second hand caravan

Your auto can pull 2tons not 1.7tons but as lwb terrano weight in at 1.85 tons the 85% rule not law means u might want to stick to it if ur new to towing would mean no heavier than 1.56tons but like I said law wise u can pull 2tons with auto and 2.8tons with manual hope that helps.

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

Your auto can pull 2tons not 1.7tons but as lwb terrano weight in at 1.85 tons the 85% rule not law means u might want to stick to it if ur new to towing would mean no heavier than 1.56tons but like I said law wise u can pull 2tons with auto and 2.8tons with manual hope that helps.


http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-figures/nissan/terrano/station-wagon-1993/18206/

gives 1700 kg tow weight for 2.7tdi auto regardless of wheelbase, the 3.0 tdi is 2000kg
for auto.

These figures match a previous thread, that I cannot locate, but where we assessed
the figures on the builder's plate.

Also dont forget that if have a post 97 licence will likely need a B+E entitlement.

[(RIP) rustygates]

And of course, it also depends on what the actual towing bracket is capable of carrying, there is a limit.

rustygates.

[jonela]

It is the 2.7tdi I have and I have towed trailers for years but only a small caravan once.
Probably looking for a 4-6 berth with fixed bed,looking to spend about 5-6k ,and twin axle as I find the twin axle trailer better to move about.

[zippy656]

Look at the site i work at

Just for some ideas and see what you get for your cash

[briggie]

I really wouldn't want to be pulling 1.7 tonns with an auto box in my opinion , but ...... that's just my experience

[jonela]

This is the problem , most of the vans on e bay don't state the weight and i don't want to push it. I would prefer to stay comfortably inside the limit for my truck, say 1.5 ton, but I don't want it too small ether,I have an abby GT 4berth that I use on site for tea and lunch breaks and you cant swing a cat in there and the loo is the size Hat box!
Is there a web site that gives stats for all vans?

[firebobby]

It is the 2.7tdi I have and I have towed trailers for years but only a small caravan once.
Probably looking for a 4-6 berth with fixed bed,looking to spend about 5-6k ,and twin axle as I find the twin axle trailer better to move about.

My mate has a twin axle and until he fitted a mover, it was not easy to move it, my single axle is much easier to move about.

[briggie]

tbh I wouldn't go above 800kg with an auto box

[jonela]

800kg doesn't sound very big, I have a 750kg trailer and full of sand or blocks You can tell its there with the auto but with the SWB manual you could easyley forget about it.
But I have no reference point for vans ! How big is an 800kg van?

[(RIP) rustygates]

800kgs would be a 2berth single axle 3mts long with no motor mover, me thinks and as for twin axle van they have one advantage and that is that they are more stable when coaches pass you, IMO a single axle is much easier to maneuver and is far lighter because one less axle and only 2 tyres to buy.

rustygates.

[jonela]

mmmmm! me thinks it's not worth bothering with the auto, I couldn't cope with one that small. So definitely need to get the little white one back on the road some how,if I want a van!

[firebobby]

My Lunar Lexon is a 4 berth and weighs in at 1400ish fully laden, 1200ish unladen, I would think your auto should pull that no problem :confused:

[briggie]

maximum towing weights for auto box ......

unbraked ...... 750 kg

braked ........ 1700 kg


but tbh I wouldn't go above 800 kg

[briggie]

http://www.carsite.co.uk/car-data/nissan/terrano/2000-2007/4x4/27-tdi-se-5dr-auto/id/16350

[firebobby]

That's a handy site, mine come in at 3000KG on a braked trailer:)

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

That's a handy site, mine come in at 3000KG on a braked trailer:)


yes 3000kg for a manual 3 litre, vs 2800kg for manual 2.7tdi

thinking trailer weights are, or used to be be based on the vehicles
ability to restart the outfit on a 1 in 8 incline.

back to the auto 2.7tdi with max 1700kg trailer weight, that is a good
figure, as an example my '99 Abeey Spectrum 520, 20 foot body twin
axles grosses at 1660kg. Suspect the auto box is heavier than the
manual box so the terrano's kerb weight will be a bit higher and as such
will be close to the recommended 85% weight ratio, ie gross trailer is
85% of kerb weight of car.

the 1700kg max was likely to be a bigger issue for another member
recently where the trailer was a loaded horse box.

[jonela]

If the limit is 1700kg is there safety margin built in to that ( ie 1700 kg is the safe limit with no risk of any damage to the box) or as Briggie suggests it would be best to stay well bellow this limit say 800kg thus creating your own safety margin ?