View Full Version : I call upon the caravan gurus!!!
AlexD333
22-03-2015, 21:08
So basically, for a while me and the missus have been planning a Europe trip, there will be occasional hotel stops but for a fair bit we were considering a Caravan.
Now I really so need some advise from the caravan experts in here (zippy springs to mind)
Can they be parked on the road without a car attached?
How do they attach to the terrano? Via chassis I presume?
Will I struggle as I am lifted ect?
Whats the cheapest caravan people can think of? Toilet not needed, just a box on wheels.
I've seen a few baby ones on eBay starting at 350 quid buy it now.
Can anyone shed any more light? :thumb2
firebobby
22-03-2015, 21:31
I don't leave my Cvan unattended ever. To easy to steal,
the Terrano tow bar bolts onto the chassis...holes are supplied by Nissan.
You can get drop bars for the tow bar, this will allow you to lower the ball.
Normally, the cheaper you go, the worse the condition, but you may get lucky.
They are great fun, we love going away in our van:thumb2
makeitfit
22-03-2015, 21:41
Buy my camper van :sly
perelaar
22-03-2015, 22:00
You sure you want a caravan? Quite a lot of weight to pull around, will limit you severely in where you can and cannot go, especially if you don't sleep in it every day.
For sure, speaking for Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, you cannot just park it anywhere and go to sleep; you'll need to go to specific camping sites.
Rick had 1 or 2 tow bars knocking about if I remember right so i'm sure he would sort you out if you crossed his palm with a couple of notes:thumbs then fit either a 2" or 3" drop plate to bring the tow ball down to standard height :thumb2 Around here if a caravan is parked up on the street or one of the carparks on the estate the council has them towed away:doh but luckily we are allowed to store them on our drives:D
firebobby
22-03-2015, 22:10
You sure you want a caravan? Quite a lot of weight to pull around, will limit you severely in where you can and cannot go, especially if you don't sleep in it every day.
For sure, speaking for Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, you cannot just park it anywhere and go to sleep; you'll need to go to specific camping sites.
What!! Caravans are fantastic, you tow it to a site, pitch up and put the kettle on, you then have your car to drive around the area and explore.
Most caravanners will book a pitch on a site, prior to hitting the road, you then know you have somewhere to stay.
I know that I'm sleeping in my bed and eating from my plates and cutlery, I can get up when i want, eat when I want and I always have the caravan to do it all again.
jims-terrano
22-03-2015, 22:13
Most caravanners will book a pitch on a site, prior to hitting the road, you then know you have somewhere to stay.
We are talking about the same Alex aren't we:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol
firebobby
22-03-2015, 22:18
We are talking about the same Alex aren't we:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol
Oh yeah :doh :lol:lol
He will be fine, don't know about towing it through the bloody river though :augie
solarman216
22-03-2015, 22:20
Rick had 1 or 2 tow bars knocking about if I remember right yep tow bars galore so i'm sure he would sort you out if you crossed his palm with a couple of notes:thumbs then fit either a 2" or 3" drop plate to bring the tow ball down to standard height :thumb2 Around here if a caravan is parked up on the street or one of the carparks on the estate the council has them towed away:doh but luckily we are allowed to store them on our drives:D
not luck but a point of law, Rick
jims-terrano
22-03-2015, 22:21
You can just imagine it, Alexs truck fording a river and his caravan floating on behind. Mind you bet the caravan will look strange with scaffolding on to the front and back:lol:lol
solarman216
22-03-2015, 22:30
Caravans have problems, park on the road/hotel car park and stay in hotel fine park on road/carpark and sleep overnight likely to be arrested/moved on, so here you are at 4pm driving and looking for a nearby campsite but they are all booked up now at 10pm still driving and hungry still looking and all still booked up whats more many will not entertain late arrivals, been there done that, not for me, or you, great if you know where you will be next evening but that takes the freedom from the whole thing, that was what we liked about the narrow boat, stop when you want where you want any time any place, but that is changing they want you in marrinas over night at rubbish charges, that is why we sold the boat, Rick
You can just imagine it, Alexs truck fording a river and his caravan floating on behind. Mind you bet the caravan will look strange with scaffolding on to the front and back:lol:lol
Don't forget the 35" tyres and body lift..
firebobby
22-03-2015, 22:37
I always book a site in advance, I like to know we have a pitch for the night or how ever long we stay, unfortunately, that's the way of the world theses days, but I don't mind. :)
Our kids loved going away in the van, they met loads of friend over the years.
Lazy-Ferret
22-03-2015, 22:38
I think that if you do want to do something like that with a caravan, you need to do a few trips in the UK first, to get the hang of things.
Towing is pretty easy, but towing on the wrong side of the road, with the limited rear view provided but the passenger side mirror is a bit of a black art.
You will also for peace of mind, need insurance, and recovery, if you go abroad, but that can be a bit more difficult on older cars and vans.
To leave a trailer on the road, it must have working lights, regardless of whether attached to a car or not, which may not be very practical. Even leaving a caravan parked up on a caravan site may not be an option, as most expect you to return to them at night, and your caravan insurance definitely will.
One big problem I can see though, is your Bumpers... My dealings with the French, German and Dutch police is they love to pull cars with English plates for the tiniest excuse, so I think you would have a very slow journey to go anywhere.
Oh, and make sure you put your anti-roll bars on, and get a stabiliser... The lorries on the continent seem to travel faster than in the UK, and on single carriage way roads the bow wave from them coming in the opposite direction really do shift some air and knock the caravan about.
AlexD333
22-03-2015, 22:42
You can just imagine it, Alexs truck fording a river and his caravan floating on behind. Mind you bet the caravan will look strange with scaffolding on to the front and back:lol:lol
Haha your comment made me wheeze!! :lol:lol:lol
I love the accuracy of all the above comments too :D
Given some foreign complications of caravan parking ect this may not work out for me...
We will want to stop and go, not necessarily find a site and camp ect.
Perhaps like the other thread a macho tent and awning.. :nenau
jims-terrano
22-03-2015, 22:45
How about turning the truck into a temporary camper and get yourself a nice roof box to help transport kit?
I still think body lift and bigger tyres...
makeitfit
22-03-2015, 22:53
or buy my campervan :naughty
Lazy-Ferret
22-03-2015, 22:54
I still think body lift and bigger tyres...
Is that an outboard on the back???:D
perelaar
22-03-2015, 22:54
'wild' camping is basically the same as parking your caravan next to the road (or in a field, forest, etc) - a big no no here :)
Oh, and make sure you put your anti-roll bars on, and get a stabiliser...
He can't put the rear one on as the mounting on the chassis broke off:doh The other option would be to get a trailer & build it into an expedition trailer:thumbs have a look at this site Alex http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forums/42-Expedition-Trailers loads of great builds on there:thumb2 we are now looking for a nice 2 birth caravan but still wanting to get a trailer to build up for long distance road trips in the summer as it should work out better MPG wise:augie
Is that an outboard on the back???:D
yes, for the boat on the truck roof.:thumb2
jims-terrano
22-03-2015, 23:00
Ahh stuff it, hotels it is then:thumbs
Lazy-Ferret
22-03-2015, 23:02
He can't put the rear one on as the mounting on the chassis broke off:doh <...SNIP...>
Ouch...
I have towed all my life, the first vehicle I ever drove at 13 (a Tractor) had a trailer on it, so feel pretty confident.. but..
Since we had that bad snake with the old Volvo 240, I have a new found respect for just how much a tail can wag the dog when things go wrong... There is no way I would like to tow with the T2, without the Anti-roll bars, just too risky in my opinion, and even more so, if you have never towed a caravan before.
With the exception of my V70, the T2 is the best tow car I have had, and without any exception the most stable, I think if you want to learn to tow, then a "normal" T2 would be one of the best to do it with.
I've got this huge learning curve to do Clive as never towed a trail or caravan before:o should be fine going forwards but trying to reverse a caravan is where I will mess up so think i'll have to go onto the industrial estate for a few hours once we get a van & practise before we go onto a campsite & make a total fool of myself:doh
AlexD333
22-03-2015, 23:17
Huh... I didn't take any of this stuff into consideration... The arbs and the snaking ect...
So next in the agenda.. Who knows about tents :augie do I need to start another thread.. :naughty
Oh and btw Rustic, that caravan in the picture is immense!!!
Lazy-Ferret
22-03-2015, 23:20
I've got this huge learning curve to do Clive as never towed a trail or caravan before:o should be fine going forwards but trying to reverse a caravan is where I will mess up so think i'll have to go onto the industrial estate for a few hours once we get a van & practise before we go onto a campsite & make a total fool of myself:doh
Best way.. Get the Kids to stand like goal posts and try to reverse between them... If you mess up, limited damage to the caravan, and if you really mess up, you get the joy of making a new kid as a replacement..:doh:lol:lol
They are not too difficult once you have got the basics, and caravans and larger trailers are a lot easier than those tiny Erde/Maypole camping trailers.
Basically slow and steady wins the race. minimal steering wheel movement, as a little steering has a big effect on the trailer. Vision is always the hard part, so don't be afraid to ask your passenger to get out and help, just make sure they stay where you can see them in the drivers side mirror.
Best way.. Get the Kids to stand like goal posts and try to reverse between them... If you mess up, limited damage to the caravan, and if you really mess up, you get the joy of making a new kid as a replacement..:doh:lol:lol
They are not too difficult once you have got the basics, and caravans and larger trailers are a lot easier than those tiny Erde/Maypole camping trailers.
Basically slow and steady wins the race. minimal steering wheel movement, as a little steering has a big effect on the trailer. Vision is always the hard part, so don't be afraid to ask your passenger to get out and help, just make sure they stay where you can see them in the drivers side mirror.
Kids have grown up mate & the youngest has left home thank god (she's like her real dad:doh) but I know the missus will watch me back as I reverse might dig out the old walkie talkies or even buy a pair of cheap PMR's as it'll save having to shout at each other:lol with my wife & I both being diabetic putting our big tent up really lowers our blood sugar levels & we can end up arguing like mad because of it but we don't take it personally tho & laugh it off afterwards but with a van this should stop well hopefully:lol
Alex if your wanting a tent you need to think long & hard how much space you want or need, our 1st tent was a 4 man dome tent which gave use that bit extra room inside for our clothes etc plus room for our Jack Russells bed:thumb2 it's really quick to put up as well & ok for 1-2 nights camping if the weather is good but TBH we wanted more room so bought a 4 man coleman tunnel tent which has it's own bedroom & living area & it's heigh enough for me to walk around without banging my head off the roof of the tent & i'm 6ft. Have had this tent for 4 years now & it's been great even when we've went away & it's rained none stop:doh 2 of the best things we have bought for it is the electric coolbox (12v or 240v) & the electric hook up so we can plug into the campsites mains which means we can charge our phones up, use a table lamp instead of a camping light & for those cold or wet days we can run our 2Kw heater which keeps the inside of the tent nice & warm & dry
Thomas-the-Terrano2
23-03-2015, 00:08
watch on but on type approved towbars and cars post S reg you can
not have drop plates.
A standard towbar on a lifted truck is going to be way above where it
should be, reckon you must be 6" up on oem. with tyre gearing I'd give
it a miss. Why not just camp in back of truck with a tent that attaches
to rear of truck.
https://www.towsure.com/static/towbars_ec_type_approval
https://www.towsure.com/product/6_Hole_Drop_Plate_3_or_5_Inch_Drop
Alex if you passed passed after 1/1/97 you'll only have a b licence so
gross of t2 and trailer <3500kg. will seriously limit your choice of tin tents.
Alex if you passed passed after 1/1/97 you'll only have a b licence so
gross of t2 and trailer <3500kg. will seriously limit your choice of tin tents.
Not really I passed in 92 but dvla have stripped my licence on medical grounds so can't go over 3500kg now but TBH there are loads of 2 birth & even 4 birth vans I can tow loaded & still keep under the max weight:thumb2
AlexD333
23-03-2015, 00:35
Kids have grown up mate & the youngest has left home thank god (she's like her real dad:doh) but I know the missus will watch me back as I reverse might dig out the old walkie talkies or even buy a pair of cheap PMR's as it'll save having to shout at each other:lol with my wife & I both being diabetic putting our big tent up really lowers our blood sugar levels & we can end up arguing like mad because of it but we don't take it personally tho & laugh it off afterwards but with a van this should stop well hopefully:lol
Alex if your wanting a tent you need to think long & hard how much space you want or need, our 1st tent was a 4 man dome tent which gave use that bit extra room inside for our clothes etc plus room for our Jack Russells bed:thumb2 it's really quick to put up as well & ok for 1-2 nights camping if the weather is good but TBH we wanted more room so bought a 4 man coleman tunnel tent which has it's own bedroom & living area & it's heigh enough for me to walk around without banging my head off the roof of the tent & i'm 6ft. Have had this tent for 4 years now & it's been great even when we've went away & it's rained none stop:doh 2 of the best things we have bought for it is the electric coolbox (12v or 240v) & the electric hook up so we can plug into the campsites mains which means we can charge our phones up, use a table lamp instead of a camping light & for those cold or wet days we can run our 2Kw heater which keeps the inside of the tent nice & warm & dry
This sounds good, we just found a Coleman tent online, got a link for your one?
This is the one we spotted http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Coleman-Instant-Tourer-4-Person-Dome-Tent-Camping-Sewn-In-Groundsheet-Four-Man-/171714778499?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item27faff9583
solarman216
23-03-2015, 00:46
effin world has gone mad, do what you want is what I say, I do, Rick
This sounds good, we just found a Coleman tent online, got a link for your one?
We have this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tent-Camping-Family-Coleman-Coastline-4-Deluxe-/221705289389?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item339eaa3ead but payed a lot less for it from amazon:thumbs first outing we had none stop rain for the weekend & had to little water leaks from the stitching at the top of the big side windows:doh but I water proofed it after that trip & we've not had a single drip since over the last 3 years but going to water proof it again this year just for good measure & at least when we sell the tent after getting a van the next owner will stop dry as well:D I took to using large rock pegs on the guide ropes after one camping trip we did where we had really high winds & the ground was mainly gravel under 3" of soil/grass & the odd peg came out but was lucky to borrow a couple of rock pegs on that trip & they stopped in the ground but did start cutting through the ground:eek: Have to say always been really pleased with this tent & we'll be away next month in it:D
zippy656
23-03-2015, 07:09
Here i am.
Sounds like you need campervan.
Well a big van with a bed and cooker, mayb a cold box.
AlexD333
23-03-2015, 07:15
Sweety, that tent looks good, can you remove the middle wall for the bedroom otherwise wasted space for me and missus, part from that, looks great! :thumb2
AlexD333
23-03-2015, 07:16
Here i am.
Sounds like you need campervan.
Well a big van with a bed and cooker, mayb a cold box.
Huh, yheah, maybe Pete's :freak3:
makeitfit
23-03-2015, 10:34
Huh, yheah, maybe Pete's :freak3:
Gotcha :sly
Thing is with a tent, you get all that faff looking for a flat site with no bugs and so end up in a camp site with other disgruntled holidaying oiks cringing with their loud kids and wishing they were in the pub and not hammering in another tent pole that's now broken and then it starts raining and your other half won't have you near her cause the tent next door will hear and BUY MY CAMPERVAN
Back in the 60's, we had a bedford dormobile, and you had to break camp just to drive into town to get a newspaper... When we got back, our nice quiet space had been taken :doh
So the next year my Father got four windbreak poles and some rope, with the vehicle reg No hanging off the rope to peg the area...
Success, we came back to the same site.
As the years progressed, the poles and rope changed into a small tent, where my Dad used to sleep... as he snored lol... So when we went out for the day in the dormobile, stuff we didn't need, like fold away chairs etc were left in the tent.
So consider what you want to do.
zippy656
23-03-2015, 12:07
make makeitfit happy
have his motorhome
make makeitfit happy
have his motorhome
I must admit, having no trailer, or caravan is a benefit, but say having standing headroom and a loo, a kettle, gas and water do favour the motor home.:thumb2
I'm sure someone on here has one to sell, but without Pics...:augie...
Ouch...
I have towed all my life, the first vehicle I ever drove at 13 (a Tractor) had a trailer on it, so feel pretty confident.. but..
Since we had that bad snake with the old Volvo 240, I have a new found respect for just how much a tail can wag the dog when things go wrong... There is no way I would like to tow with the T2, without the Anti-roll bars, just too risky in my opinion, and even more so, if you have never towed a caravan before.
Exactly why I have left the ARB's on my Terrano this time round
Oh Alex!!!!
I have a towbar and ball that you can have for free
Its the top one that i removed here :thumbs
http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/forum/showpost.php?p=271560&postcount=26
Sweety, that tent looks good, can you remove the middle wall for the bedroom otherwise wasted space for me and missus, part from that, looks great! :thumb2
Yes mate it simply unzips:thumb2 the first time we put the tent up we took it out & has never been back in since. We have the air bed in the middle so we each have a door so to speak into the bedroom part so there is no climbing over each other if either of us needs the loo in the middle of the night or if one of us wakes up before the other. Again the dogs bed fits in nicely & we still have tones of room hey you could take your dog away with you & it could have it's own single air bed & you would still have a good amount of room left in the bed room part
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