If you’re thinking of buying a caravan there’ll be loads of questions you’d like answered. Well, we at The Caravan Planet want to help you, so we’ve compiled here some of the basics such as what to look for ... and what to avoid.
Considering buying a touring caravan is quite a big step, with a commitment to invest a fair amount of money. And, if you’ve no experience of caravans, things like “What will my car be able to tow?” and “How much can I put in it?” may seem like almost unanswerable questions. This guide probably won’t tell you absolutely everything you’ve ever wanted to know about caravans, but we are sure it will point you in the right direction. You can also find more by calling into see us anytime So, let’s get you started now on your first step to caravan purchase and an enjoyable future of trouble-free touring.
There isn’t really any rule of thumb relating to size and weight of a caravan. A small caravan packed to the gunnels with kit could be heavier than a larger, possibly older, caravan. Newer models have become heavier over the years. Nearly all caravans today over 3 metres long (10ft) have a toilet room, only shorter ones not having the necessary space to include one. If you’re only going to be on sites where toilets are provided, this is less important, but if you will be staying on sites such as Certificated Locations, then the Caravan Code requires that you have your own facilities.
It makes sense to tow the shortest, lightest caravan that suits your needs. Consider getting a compact caravan and buying an awning for it. You’ll still have enough space and you could buy a 4 metre (13 ft) caravan with an awning for considerably less money than a 5 metre (17 ft) caravan. Attached to the side of your caravan, which has an ‘awning channel’ built in, you can use it for extra dining space, as an additional room for children or visitors to sleep, or a place for you to sit out on hot summer nights when the kids have gone to bed. Consider too that a long caravan will be more awkward to manoeuvre into gateways or drives,and sometimes more difficult to park on and off site, and to store too.
Only the very largest caravans need four wheels to bear their fully laden weight, most caravans being very adequately supported by one axle. Some caravan bodies can be fitted with either to give the buyer choice. So which is best?
In theory, two tyres on each side of the caravan give better grip than one and bring better stability. When parked, however, the twin axle caravan does not necessarily stand level and may have a heavier noseweight than that of a single axle.
The single axle scores heavily when manoeuvring on site. The twin’s on-road benefit of extra grip becomes a liability when you have to swing the caravan to hitch up. Unless you’re an expert in reversing your outfit for spot-on pitching and 100% accurate at backing up to re-connect, then stick to a single axle and spare the heaving! Finally, an extra axle adds initial cost and weight, doubles tyre replacement costs, and requires greater care and maintenance to achieve braking balance.
Twin axles might seem a better bet, but think carefully before choosing this option. Better grip and stability come at the expense of manoeuvrability.
When choosing a caravan, check the amount you can carry in the caravan (payload allowance) in the handbook. With older caravans prior to the mid 1990’s the quoted weight has a 5% tolerance, officially plus or minus, but in practice always plus!
From 1999 all caravans are built to a European Standard and you’ll find the following information in the user’s handbook. The term ‘mass’ means the weight: The maximum permissible laden mass (MTPLM) - previously known as MAW - in kilograms The mass in running order (MIRO), in kilograms The maximum user payload (MTLPLM minus MIRO) in kilograms The weight of the essential habitation equipment for the caravan, in kilograms.
The payload information includes:
Click the image above for a rough guide as to how much weight is allowed for such items as crockery, utensils and clothing, plus the average weights of the usual necessities. Cassette toilets and spare wheels may be included in the quoted MIRO weight, or may be part of a ‘special package’ which will reduce the quoted payload.
It is very easy to accidentally exceed the MTPLM of a caravan. This may cause premature tyre failure, and damage the running gear. the amount of payload offered with a caravan is therefore an important consideration. Caravan Planet recommends that you take your laden caravan to a weighbridge to ensure you are not exceeding the MTPLM/MAW.
*lbs are approximate (to convert kg to lb, multiply by 2.2) Note: It is not recommended to travel with water container or toilet full