Enough storage space in Rapido caravans

My caravan has a payload of 240Kg. It's surprising how easy it is to use it all up even when only storing the awning frame in the caravan. The other big load item is the spare wheel, so that's another 20Kg gone before you even start.

It is difficult to say if you will need things in the car as it all depends on what you pack and for how long you are away. 240kg is very good by UK standards and I would be surprised if you exceeded that given the limited space to pack things but a heavy awning would probably be best in the car. Having said that even with over 5.6m of caravan we still put things in the car, particularly the TV as I feel it gets a softer ride there.

HI Hedgehurst, I'm told that some people travel with aquarolls, wastemasters, barbecues, awnings, awning furniture, portable satellite dishes, television sets  second fridge/ freezers, outdoor cookers  clothes for all seasons, animals, and potted plants. They are all optional, though we manage very well in an Eriba without them, with just a couple of folding chairs and a picnic table in the car.  

I must confess to a dropping of the jaw this summer when I used a small tent for a one-night stopover on a Herts. site. I didn't realise one took  quite sizeable matching potted trees and what looked suspiciously like a roll-out patio complete with table with arty sculpture on it while caravanning. Glad to hear these aren't compulsory 

It is surprising what some people take with them. For us it is unneccessary work  we take little more than clothes and food most of the time. I think the trees though suggest a seasonal pitch.

Very many thanks to all those who took time to offer such useful comments here. As a result of this and a lot more research, we've just agreed to buy a Rapido Club 32 T from 2000. It comes with motor mover, Alko stabiliser, as-new looking awning, full starter pack of Butane bottle, battery, and things, and some more.

And thanks to the many who in various threads insisted on the value of an independent engineer's inspection. He spotted the 2009 tyres and the fairly worn pads in the hitch, and as a result has saved us his own expense, because the dealer's offered to include two new tyres - we'll also get the spare sorted ourselves at the same time - and the pads in the agreed price.

So while I'll hopefully be posting a "proud new owner" line next week when it's due to be ready for collection, here again are our thanks for all that helpful advice. It was!

Best wishes to all.

Good to know.

Don't forget some pics!!

Pleased to hear you have found what suits you.

Can I suggest one little amendment that will be in your interest if you can get it switched? Change the included Butane bottle to a Propane one, with appropriate pigtail etc. I say this because now you are moving to push the season out then you can very readily run into gassing issues with Butane in an ambient 6 degrees C and lower; the more so if as you will, you need a high draw off for powering a space heater. With Propane its gassing off limit is way lower. The cost to the dealer now is not significantly different , but to change retrospectively could be expensive to you.

It is from a "cost to run" point of view best to get as large a capacity gas bottle as fits in the gas locker.

Enjoy your new caravan and the "life" it will give you