INFORMATION ABOUT CARAVANS CAMPING & MOTORHOMES - TIPS HINTS & ADVICE

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First off, jot down the car "kerbweight" from the handbook. Let's assume it's 1670Kg, a medium sized car. Divide that figure by 20. (we're trying to make it easy, remember!) That gives us a figure of 83.5, call it 83. Best to round down at this point, it makes the next figure safer. Next multiply that 83 by 17, ok, that's a bit harder, but you can use a calculator if you have to.

That gives us around 1411 back in Kg again, so 1411Kg is the recommended maximum weight of caravan for your car. Now you will often see suggestions that "experienced" caravanners can tow up to higher maximum weights, but let's face it, if you don't know how to work out these figures, then you are not sufficiently experienced to be trying this, are you?

To work out for a car to tow a particular weight of van, simply reverse the process. Divide the caravan weight by 17, then multiply that figure by 20 to give you the kerbweight you need to pull it comfortably. Remember in both cases, the maximum weight allowed for the caravan INCLUDES all the bits and pieces, clothes, gas bottles, accessories, personal items and so on. This means the actual weight of the van must be less than the maximum allowed so that you can add in all your goods and chattels and bibs and bobs!

TYPE APPROVED TOWBARS

Current EEC legislation requires that towing cars MUST be fitted with type approved towbars, carrying a type approval plate and serial numbered by the manufacturer. This should not cause any problem if the towbar is supplied and fitted by a reputable supplier and manufacturer, but you should check with your supplier that the towbars he fits are type approved for your vehicle.

If you purchase an older vehicle already fitted with a towbar, the requirement is "grandfathered" and that towbar will be acceptable as if it were type approved. NOTE though, that if you retro-fit a towbar to an older vehicle NOW, it must carry type approval! This gives rise to a situation where a (say) 1989 Shogun or other make already fitted with a towbar is exempted, but if you buy a second hand Shogun [not fitted with a towbar] of the same vintage, then the towbar has to have a type approval to be legal when fitted.

DIY fitting of towbars is possible, but some insurance companies are starting to insist upon professional fitting being carried out, especially since some fitting schedules now require nuts to be "torqued" to set standards for your car.

Finally, owners of "car-derived vans" or "van-derived cars" should double check as to whether or not their vehicles need type approved towbars. This bit seems to be very grey area, as a van with driver and passenger seats only may not need a type approved towbar, whilst the same base vehicle used as a minibus or car may, and the same base vehicle used for a motorhome body may not! Don't ask, at xetronella we can't find out for sure!

Brink Towbars, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England
Covering the range of Brink Towbars, and with a feature allowing you to find your local Brink dealer.

Oris Towbars, Germany
Covering the range of Oris Towbars, fitted to some Ford and other cars as OEM (original equipment manufacturer specified on new cars).

Witter Towbars, Chester, England.
Details of the Witter Towbar range.

Towsure Towbars, Sheffield.
Towsure range of towbars.

Watling Engineers Ltd 88 Parkstreet Village, St. Albans, Herts. Tel: 01727 873661
Front tow-pushbars, detachable, strong, neat, makes placing your van a treat! Look where you are going! Ask for Jeff, and mention "xetronella.com" for more details

Solent Towbars, Secure website, order online or Tel: 01329 668668
EC approved towbars, immediate despatch from on-line secure ordering! Mention xetronella.com if calling to order!