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 Topic: Lightweight Vans anyone??
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| Trick |
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Standard Member
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Outfit: Sprite Muskateer
Location: Bristol
Joined: 05/1/2007
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Do no caravan manufacturers think about us poor people without B +E licences! As a family of five were looking to get into caravanning but have found very few vans available to us because of the weight restriction. I had hoped that the new bailey vans that are replacing the lightweight GT60 would be lightweight but the ones I saw today were anything but. I got to admit that as one of the little ones has cried all night for the last two nights I now beginning to think that I should have stuck to two!!
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| Jax365 |
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Diamond Member
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Outfit: Double Dutch Kip Caravan
Location: south cheshire
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You have my sympathies!
There are very few lightweight caravans around, but the Freedom range are and there's also a german make (I think, can't remember the name)that are also very lightweight.
There are also ones like mine, but I wouldn't recommend it for a family of five, even with the awning!
Perhaps you need to put in for the B&E licence. Bet its costly too. 
Another alternative is maybe a trailer tent as some of these are lightweight and fold out into lovely spaces!
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'...it's only teething problems, it'll soon be fixed...  '
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| IainM |
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Platinum Member
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Outfit: '09 Octy vRS TDI '10 Swift Jura
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Although not restricted by my license I think there is a definate niche for more lightweight 'vans. Personally I would like to see narrower 'vans. Our 7ft4 'van just fits down our drive, but a 7ft 'van would make life easier. Sadly to get the spec we want we need to stick to the wider 'van .... unless some enterprising manufacturer brings out a nice narrow, top spec 'van, ideally this would be nice and light too!
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2009 Skoda Octavia vRS TDi / 2010 Swift Island Jura
Best Wishes
Iain
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| LegsDownKettleOn |
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Outfit: Raincoat and sandals
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If you look for something older from the 1990s, they were a lot lighter than the newer ones.
It's a ridiculous situation. I know someone who can tow a caravan with a Vauxhal Omega legally, but cannot use his Frontera. Which would be the safer outfit?
Am I the only one who doesn't actually want all the heavy extras they put in the new vans? If enough people ask their dealers and ask the manufacturers about lightweight vans, they will soon bow to demand and build them. Given that the trend for new vans is for them to get heavier, one can only assume that the bulk of their clientele want the extra facilities. However, as more and more people are getting the newer licences, the time must be coming for the caravan manufacturers to consider lightweight, low spec vans for the younger caravanner.
As things are, very few people will go to the trouble of taking an additional test to see if they like caravans. There was a time when people would buy an old caravan to try it, but they won't be taking a driving test as well. Therefore, as the older caravanners give up caravanning for ill health or even death, the next generation won't be taking it up unless the manufacturers change their ethos or the law is changed for something more sensible.
Post last edited on 30/07/2010 20:15:08
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| Trick |
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Standard Member
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Outfit: Sprite Muskateer
Location: Bristol
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We have a F/C at the moment but fancy a bit more creature comfort. Looked at the B+E and was startled at the £1000 asking price!
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| LegsDownKettleOn |
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Quote: Originally posted by Trick on 30/7/2010
We have a F/C at the moment but fancy a bit more creature comfort. Looked at the B+E and was startled at the £1000 asking price!
I take it that includes lessons. Sure I read that the cost excluding lessons was around £140
Realistically, if you've got experience of towing, do you really need lessons?
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| Trick |
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Standard Member
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Outfit: Sprite Muskateer
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Yes that includes half day training and test.
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| nelmo |
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Platinum Member
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Outfit: Geist Aktiv 565 + Hyundai Santa Fe
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I thought you only needed the B+E licence for a GTW of 3500kg or more - am I wrong?
If so, surely there must be loads of van/car combos that would be under that?
My Santa Fe is about 1900kg and the van (5-berth) is 1500kg max - ok, only 100kg under but it's a German (thus heavy) van and the SF is pretty hefty. A Mondeo estate is lighter and there are several lighter 5-berths around, aren't there...?
BTW, the Adria range is pretty light...
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'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
1st May BH - Wareham Forest
2nd May BH - Brecon Beacons
June - La Croix du Vieux Pont
July - New Forest
August - Le Pin Parasol
Oct - Bladon Chains
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| jonbob71 |
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Take a look at the Adria Altea range, all lightweight and very good VFM, the newer ones are not too badly equiped either.
Clicky
Jon
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| murano |
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Gold Member
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Lunars are a light weight van
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| tomtomfan |
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Our outfit, Mazda 6 estate 2.2 diesel and Ranger 540/6 is below the limit and sleeps 6. It tows well and we go to France for three weeks next month.
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| jhsw |
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Gold Member
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Outfit: compass lynx 340 2
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Quote: Originally posted by Trick on 30/7/2010
Do no caravan manufacturers think about us poor people without B +E licences! As a family of five were looking to get into caravanning but have found very few vans available to us because of the weight restriction. I had hoped that the new bailey vans that are replacing the lightweight GT60 would be lightweight but the ones I saw today were anything but. I got to admit that as one of the little ones has cried all night for the last two nights I now beginning to think that I should have stuck to two!!
Hi, Have you thought about Folding Caravans,solid sides and hard top roof, and weight from 750kg to 900kg, folds down to a bigish trailer,Gobur Caravans inMelton Constable? Norfolk, and Campers and Leisure LTD Dorset, they have a range of folding and pop top caravans,
www.goburcaravans.co.uk
www.Campersandleisureltd.co.uk
Not sure if these links will take you to thier sites,dont know how to post the link, may find something there to suite you, hope this helps
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John
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| jhsw |
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Gold Member
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| jg73 |
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Silver Member
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Outfit: Sprite Finesse and Vauxhall Vectra Est
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5 berth Sprite Musketeer has a MTPLM of 1291kg. Lunar vans are lightweight too.
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Janet :-)
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| scaryt |
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Standard Member
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Outfit: Adria Altea 502 DK
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We have a 5 berth Adria Altea with a MTPLM of 1200kg. It's 2005 and not all singing and dancing but we kind of like it's lack of fuss! But I know just what you mean about the severe lack of lightweight 'vans out there.
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| Lassie |
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Platinum Member
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Outfit: Peugeot 4007 & Adria Altea 502DK
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Our Altea has an MTPLM of 1200kg too. Its also a 2005, 6 berth with fixed bunks at back, and it has an oven!
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Lassie
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