Newbie looking to buy secondhand caravan

Hi, TB.

Check out the following website for an explanation of your weights.

https://www.towbarexpress.co.uk/maximum-towing-weight/

Your gross train weight is 3580kg and must not be exceeded. Your fully loaded car is 2080kg. Subtract the latter from the former and it gives you 1500kg as the max legal limit you can tow. But...that figure represents overall ability of the car and is not a safe or sensible weight to tow.

The recognised sensible towing ratio, which is not law, Is to tow a van with a fully laden weight (MTPLM) of around 85% of your car's kerb weight (pretty much the same as it’s unladen weight). Check the kerb weight of your car and start from there. 85% is not hard and fast but a rule of thumb and a novice will be better off gaining experience with a lighter van before venturing to anything bigger and heavier. You don’t want the tail to be wagging the dog!

Other weights to consider are the max down weight on the rear of your car and on the tow hitch itself compared with the nose weight of the laden caravan.

Good luck in your search.

I used to tow a 1326kg MTPLM caravan with a similar car with no problems.  Your tow hook should take 100kgs.  I'm sure there are plenty of caravans out there that will suit.  Make sure that your purchase is damp free; if buying from a dealer get him to do a damp check in front of, if buying privately it would be worth getting a damp meter.  Check for damp all over but especially around the windows and inside of any external panel joins - often found where the roof is joined to the side panels.  If it smells of damp, walk away. Also check tyres are less than 5 yrs old.  Other than that just check everything works and ideally that it has had a recent service.  Good luck with your search.  The Club can arrange a technical check of any purchase, for a fee.

Thanks for your help Guys,

i have been playing around on the website and found the "match your car and caravan" i must say that is very helpful. im so glad i joined the caravan club first before buying a van. to be honest it might pay me to get a better vehicle for towing first. i know i will just get excited and buy the first thing i see but as from experience research is key.

I don't have a lot of money to throw at it so cant afford to make a mistake.

im finding it a bit hard going in Devon as soon as a van comes up for sale i am always to late. But to be fair i would of bought a van to big for my car and that would of been costly

Again thank you for your help

Mark

I think you’ll probably be limited to buying a van privately, TB. I expect you’re watching the local press and Auto Trader and the Caravan Finder and Preloved websites etc. Tread warily with online auction sites and remember the saying "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is"☹️. 

Good hunting👍🏻

Due to this virus , people not going abroad ,prices have gone silly . I do not mean to put a downer on it , but if you wait till winter time ,prices drop , then you would be ready for a nice easy start to next year . I bought a lemon years ago ,,can be a costly mistake . All the best , you will love vanning .

As others have said the main problems are usually damp & old tyres.  Getting the seller to demonstrate to you that everything works eg the cooker, heater etc  will be helpful as is a service history (book) if available.   The classified ads tab at the top of the page could be useful to see what is available in your price range by using the filters available. (if you haven’t already checked there)

Bear in mind that whilst both club sites allow double axle caravans there are some private sites that don’t.  Good luck.

p.s. Haven’t read this but the article may be of interest regarding caravan weights. Its probably much the same a CAMC info also available from tabs at the top of the page.

https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans/articles/practical-advice/caravan-weight-loading-to-be-legal