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Road Rage
Apr 20, 2017 19:51:37 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2017 19:51:37 GMT
I don't give a toss about it you'll have noticed it was me who originally asked what the problem was with caravans. I was blissfully unaware that they have no roadworthiness tests. Now I know they don't it leads me to think perhaps there is an issue of some sort here. I still don't give a toss really. I didn't realise this topic was all that serious I thought it was more of a lighthearted thing but I guess some people take it seriously. I couldn't give a monkeys if MOT's are introduced, our 'van would sail through because it is properly maintained and check annually anyway. It costs over £200 to have our caravan checked and serviced and that includes a proper check of the gas system, this happens annually. ISTR that only happens every four years on a boat. What you do with your caravan is completely irrelevant. Think of it like you are an ant carrying a tiny piece of wood fibre somewhere. It feels very important to you but its irrelevant. Anyway. The comparison with boats doesn't work because the BSS is required in law to obtain a "license" to navigate on most (not all) inland waterways. As far as I can see your gas safety thing is to do with the warranty and not something you are obliged to do in order to use the caravan in your preferred area. Do correct me if I am wrong. I love correction.
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Road Rage
Apr 20, 2017 20:07:51 GMT
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Post by thebfg on Apr 20, 2017 20:07:51 GMT
I couldn't give a monkeys if MOT's are introduced, our 'van would sail through because it is properly maintained and check annually anyway. It costs over £200 to have our caravan checked and serviced and that includes a proper check of the gas system, this happens annually. ISTR that only happens every four years on a boat. What you do with your caravan is completely irrelevant. Think of it like you are an ant carrying a tiny piece of wood fibre somewhere. It feels very important to you but its irrelevant. Anyway. The comparison with boats doesn't work because the BSS is required in law to obtain a "license" to navigate on most (not all) inland waterways. As far as I can see your gas safety thing is to do with the warranty and not something you are obliged to do in order to use the caravan in your preferred area. Do correct me if I am wrong. I love correction. Your right there is no obligation however I would add that using an un roadworty vehicle on a road is an offence. If a trailer I was towing caused an accident due to it not being safe. I would be waiting for the court case.
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Post by bodger on Apr 20, 2017 20:09:27 GMT
presumably the trailer in the second weight distribution case (snaking) would not have adequate tow-hitch load, which AFAIK should be about 10% of the trailer weight, so correcting the tow hitch loading should resolve the snaking problem. Am I understanding it correctly?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2017 20:24:35 GMT
I couldn't give a monkeys if MOT's are introduced, our 'van would sail through because it is properly maintained and check annually anyway. It costs over £200 to have our caravan checked and serviced and that includes a proper check of the gas system, this happens annually. ISTR that only happens every four years on a boat. What you do with your caravan is completely irrelevant. Think of it like you are an ant carrying a tiny piece of wood fibre somewhere. It feels very important to you but its irrelevant. Anyway. The comparison with boats doesn't work because the BSS is required in law to obtain a "license" to navigate on most (not all) inland waterways. As far as I can see your gas safety thing is to do with the warranty and not something you are obliged to do in order to use the caravan in your preferred area. Do correct me if I am wrong. I love correction. You are correct on the issue of the gas check, I never suggested otherwise, but I would maintain a yearly check is better than a four yearly one, that was the point. i am not sure why pointing out lots of caravan owners, including me take pride in properly maintaining their 'vans. Frankly that is a stupid thing to say in a discussion about the road worthiness of caravans.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2017 20:30:45 GMT
presumably the trailer in the second weight distribution case (snaking) would not have adequate tow-hitch load, which AFAIK should be about 10% of the trailer weight, so correcting the tow hitch loading should resolve the snaking problem. Am I understanding it correctly? The caravan club actually recommend between 5 and 7 percent of the laden weight of the trailer. This of course is subject to the max. nose weight the car being able to take what ever that amount is.
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Road Rage
Apr 21, 2017 6:24:32 GMT
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Post by Jim on Apr 21, 2017 6:24:32 GMT
presumably the trailer in the second weight distribution case (snaking) would not have adequate tow-hitch load, which AFAIK should be about 10% of the trailer weight, so correcting the tow hitch loading should resolve the snaking problem. Am I understanding it correctly? The caravan club actually recommend between 5 and 7 percent of the laden weight of the trailer. This of course is subject to the max. nose weight the car being able to take what ever that amount is. It can also help if the caravan is a bit "nose down".
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Post by naughtyfox on Apr 21, 2017 7:39:01 GMT
My interpretation: Nothing wrong with caravanning, you're just carting your accommodation and kitchen and toilet around with you just as with a canal boat. Towing a caravan I'd best the biggest enemy is wind - many get blown over at cliff-top camping sites regularly. Becoming blase and driving a bit too fast probably is a factor, and heavy braking. With air turbulence, I wonder how scary it is to tow a caravan along a motorway having to pass high trucks around which the wind can swirl all over the place. When we had our boat on the trailer I would stop, say, every hour on a long run, to check that all was OK, that the tying lines weren't too tight or too loose. 50mph the limit here for towing anything.
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Post by naughtyfox on Apr 21, 2017 7:41:18 GMT
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Road Rage
Apr 21, 2017 8:04:16 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2017 8:04:16 GMT
Must have been an Australian caravan... I don't have a problem with caravans. I lived in a static one for a while. I just don't like getting stuck behind one with wheels. At some point we may sell the boat and go for a camper van. The thing is, if you take the initial cost and add it to the running costs, you could have many many nights in B&B's. I'm not sure how viable they are really, I guess a caravan works out cheaper and you have the flexibility of leaving it at the site and zipping around somewhere in the car. On the downside you can't leave it parked outside your house on a public road. Or you have to pay for storage. Maybe we'll just stick to the boat...
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Road Rage
Apr 21, 2017 8:50:24 GMT
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Post by Jim on Apr 21, 2017 8:50:24 GMT
Must have been an Australian caravan... I just don't like getting stuck behind one with wheels. You'll get there quicker than being stuck behind one without wheels.
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Road Rage
Apr 21, 2017 9:02:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2017 9:02:22 GMT
Must have been an Australian caravan... I don't have a problem with caravans. I lived in a static one for a while. I just don't like getting stuck behind one with wheels. At some point we may sell the boat and go for a camper van. The thing is, if you take the initial cost and add it to the running costs, you could have many many nights in B&B's. I'm not sure how viable they are really, I guess a caravan works out cheaper and you have the flexibility of leaving it at the site and zipping around somewhere in the car. On the downside you can't leave it parked outside your house on a public road. Or you have to pay for storage. Maybe we'll just stick to the boat... You got to the correct answer by your last sentence 🚢⚓⚓🍺👍
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Road Rage
Apr 21, 2017 9:20:09 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2017 9:20:09 GMT
Must have been an Australian caravan... I just don't like getting stuck behind one with wheels. You'll get there quicker than being stuck behind one without wheels. Fair point, I never did have much patience.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2017 11:52:32 GMT
I must admit it's quite 'grim' sometimes this caravanning lark...... (us in Scotland last week) I dont know why we endure it really. (Cue the predictable and 'banal' responses about the view being spoilt by a big white box)
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Road Rage
Apr 21, 2017 12:01:06 GMT
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Post by lollygagger on Apr 21, 2017 12:01:06 GMT
Blimey, I wouldn't to be dragging that whopper very far.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2017 12:01:19 GMT
I must admit it's quite 'grim' sometimes this caravanning lark...... (us in Scotland last week) I dont know why we endure it really. (Cue the predictable and 'banal' responses about the view being spoilt by a big white box) Are there no B&B's or Hotels in that part of Jockland?
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