Caravan novice

[CliveG]

I have the possibility of buying a 6 berth caravan here in France for a very reasonable price.I've never pulled a caravan,only trailers not terribly well!I have to say I'm really tempted as it's been looked after and kept under cover even though it's more than 10 yrs old.Any advice or recommendations would be helpful,missus not as keen as me but price is very good and it could be a bit of fun getting away,or at worst resell!Thanks in advance

[puddle hoppers inc.]

hi, all i can recommend as no expert... open every cupboard, sniff, sniff and sniff again! look for stain marks, not on the mattress you filthy beast!!! get into every orifice possible, including outside doors( bog etc). push poke and squeeze bits and bobs everywhere! see, testing a caravan really is like making love to a beautiful woman..............

[bry]

Originally Posted by puddle hoppers inc.

hi, all i can recommend as no expert... open every cupboard, sniff, sniff and sniff again! look for stain marks, not on the mattress you filthy beast!!! get into every orifice possible, including outside doors( bog etc). push poke and squeeze bits and bobs everywhere! see, testing a caravan really is like making love to a beautiful woman..............

Say's Harry Enfield

[zippy656]

Damp

Damp

Damp

Feel around windows and locker doors inside

Your feeling for soft areas ( not good )

Id advise a damp meter ( ebay ) a few quid will save you so much greef later, from caravan AND MRS

Also make sure every think works

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

the y60 will pull just about any caravan, but check your licence. If its post 97, you'll need
B+E to exceed a train weight of 3500kg

[CliveG]

Thanks guys,will put all into practice next week when revisiting.

[CliveG]

Hi all,the caravan is a Caravelair Brasilia 545,age around 15yrs.Condition in general not bad,was used as annual living space for a couple of weeks per year whilst the owners renovated their house to a liveable condition.What I was trying to get to was maximum towing weight I can pull with my Y60 Patrol 2.8TD
F2 2700
G1 1920
F3 6200
Changed my licence to a French one which gives me as follows:
A1
B,B1
C up to 7500kg
D up to 17 people
E categories B caravan,C HGV(artic up to 12000kg,D up to 17 people with trailer up to 12000kg
Can any kind worldly wise caravanner tell me how much I can pull?
History plate says:
VFGA0542SDKZ100497
1170kg
1. 1170kg 1200kg
2. 75kg 100kg
I think I am within pounds to tow legally but need to make sure before I buy,thanks in advance.

[TONUP]

I think you need to look for a plate (probably in the engine bay) that will have a gross train weight (GTW) value on it. This is the maximum weight permissible of the vehicle and trailer combined.

I think this is the important figure for safety and legality in the UK, however French law may be completely different.

You will need to check, but I think a Patrol would tow a 3000kg van at least if manual transmission. My Terrano is rated to tow a trailer up to 2800kg I believe.

I hope this helps.

Regards

Alan

[(RIP) PLANK]

according to your figures, it looks like your patrol can pull 3500k, so it will do this no problem!

[CliveG]

Just need to check out the paperwork side of things here in France,you have to have a carte grise(log book) for a caravan and this one doesn't have one.I am trying to find out from the powers that be whether I can obtain a new copy as a new owner as the old one is lost and previous previous owner who sold it on is dead!It could be tricky!

[wildbri]

Member Cptn Limey will know' he lives in France and he imported his van from the UK. Regards. Bri