Boardleys are now gypsies lol!

[doug boardley]

What a cracker! I'd LOVE one of those bad boys. Still some saving up to do yet though. lol

we landed very lucky Dan, ones on internet are twice the price of what we paid for it, bought it off a bloke that lives a couple of doors away from my late mums house, quite ironic really:smilewinkgrin:

 

[Rob Z]

Hey Doug, that's really nice. What did you think about towing it? I think the larger trailers are actually easier to pull/park than shorter ones.

 

[doug boardley]

I towed it the other day Rob and you're right, far easier to tow/reverse than the trailer I use for work.

 

[fulabeer]

Doug, be careful about the weight ratings. We only take 100kg of wine with us for short weekends!
I don't know your level of knowledge about caravaning, so please feel free to ignore this if your are already aware!

The caravan has a unladen weight, and a maximum weight. (when loaded etc)
This has nothing to do with what your car can tow.
It is the maximum weight that your caravan and tyres can handle.
The police do spot checks, and are very strict about the weights.
There is also a "nose" weight that is very important.
Again, you car will have a maximum "nose" weight on the tow bar. (anywhere between 50-150kg etc)
The caravan will also have a nose weight, which is based on the weight of the caravan. (7% ?)
Always try to aim for the highest weight of the caravan, without exceeding the tow ball maximum.
So if the caravans nose weight is 75kg, and the car is 100kg. The most you can go to is 75kg.
I would aim to get 75kg, as long as this doesn't lead to a "nose down" look when attached to your car.
As your photos show, you know about putting heavy objects on the floor when towing. Just move them forward or back until you get the right target nose weight.
A light nose weight increases the risk of swaying/snaking. Too heavy and you risk straining the tow ball, or grounding the "a" frame.
I used a cheap nose gauge at first. But eventually fitted one built into the jockey wheel. (cannot forget or lose a built in one!)

Having a twin axle helps the above problems, but doesn't eradicate them.
Other things to check are the tyre age. It's printed on the side walls.
Any tyre over five years old is considered spent. Caravan tyres rarely wear out, so age is the only way to know when new ones are due.

With the length of your rig, be wary of grounding on ramps, and be aware the back end "steps out" on tight turns. (can obstruct on coming traffic when turning left etc)

I tow a 2.7t trailer and find that way easier to tow than my 1.5t caravan.
It's the bulk of the caravan that makes it harder to handle. Wind has far more effect than on my trailer.
Reversing is about the same for difficulty, and very different swing needed between the two.
I assume like me you find it a doddle. Pulling a trailer all day makes for very good practise!

 

[Dan]

Doug, be careful about the weight ratings. We only take 100kg of wine with us for short weekends!
I don't know your level of knowledge about caravaning, so please feel free to ignore this if your are already aware!

The caravan has a unladen weight, and a maximum weight. (when loaded etc)
This has nothing to do with what your car can tow.
It is the maximum weight that your caravan and tyres can handle.
The police do spot checks, and are very strict about the weights.
There is also a "nose" weight that is very important.
Again, you car will have a maximum "nose" weight on the tow bar. (anywhere between 50-150kg etc)
The caravan will also have a nose weight, which is based on the weight of the caravan.
Always try to aim for the highest weight of the caravan, without exceeding the tow ball maximum.
So if the caravans nose weight is 75kg, and the car is 100kg. The most you can go to is 75kg.
I would aim to get 75kg, as long as this doesn't lead to a "nose down" look when attached to your car.
As your photos show, you know about putting heavy objects on the floor when towing. Just move them forward or back until you get the right target nose weight.
A light nose weight increases the risk of swaying/snaking. Too heavy and you risk straining the tow ball, or grounding the "a" frame.
I used a cheap nose gauge at first. But eventually fitted one built into the jockey wheel. (cannot forget or lose a built in one!)

Having a twin axle helps the above problems, but doesn't eradicate them.
Other things to check are the tyre age. It printed on the side walls.
Any tyre over five years old is considered spent. Caravan tyres rarely wear out, so age is the only way to know when new ones are due.

With the length of your rig, be wary of grounding on ramps, and be aware the back end "steps out" on tight turns. (can obstruct on coming traffic when turning left etc)

I tow a 2.7t trailer and find that way easier to tow than my 1.5t caravan.
It's the bulk of the caravan that makes it harder to handle. Wind has far more effect than on my trailer.
Reversing is about the same for difficulty, and very different swing needed between the two.
I assume like me you find it a doddle. Pulling a trailer all day makes for very good practise!

You soooooo need to get on our much newer camping forum. Camping Forum | ChatCamping.net - A camping and caravanning advice forum and blog (stick with it while it's new and help it grow.... pllllleeeaaassseeee?!?!?!)

 

[fulabeer]

You soooooo need to get on our much newer camping forum. Camping Forum | ChatCamping.net - A camping and caravanning advice forum and blog (stick with it while it's new and help it grow.... pllllleeeaaassseeee?!?!?!)

Will pop in over the weekend...

 

[chrisroe]

The ROES have now joined the Gypo club just agreed to have my uncles one pick it up in a week or two

Anyone want their drive doing ?

 

[Ian]

This is on this weekend Official Website of The UK Motorhome and Caravan Spring Fair at Newark Showground Newark is well known for it's travelling community, so you'll fit right in! :lol:

 

[doug boardley]

we're giving it it's first outing this weekend, caravan site a couple of miles away, handy if we've forgotten owt, can just send one of the boys back home for it on his bike:smilewinkgrin:

 

[fulabeer]

we're giving it it's first outing this weekend, caravan site a couple of miles away, handy if we've forgotten owt

What do you mean "IF" you have forgotten owt. You mean "WHEN" you have forgotten owt...

I don't think we did a single trip where we haven't forgotten something.
"Check lists" are just things that remind you once you have arrived what you have forgotten!

Worst one was forgetting the electric "hook up" cable.
Travelled all the way to Anglesey before realising.
It was a Sunday after 6pm so no chance of just going out and buying one.

It is only then you realise how many things in a modern caravan need 240v.
We had a young baby and needed the microwave for warming the milk etc.
The TV would work with the 12v supply, but the SKY HD box wouldn't.
I have three kids and have a lot of their stuff saved on the SKY box.
No sat TV meant possibly having to actually speak to the missus, so i decided to leave her and the van and drive back home for the hook up!
5 hours later i arrived back at the caravan. Only to find out i had left the garage door open at home..........(neighbour had phoned the missus)
Thankfully, the neighbour went into the garage and locked everything up for us.

Since then, i put the hook up lead and sky box on the front seat of the car. The wife goes in the boot with the rest of the gear :lol:

 

[doug boardley]

What do you mean "IF" you have forgotten owt. You mean "WHEN" you have forgotten owt...

I don't think we did a single trip where we haven't forgotten something.
"Check lists" are just things that remind you once you have arrived what you have forgotten!

Worst one was forgetting the electric "hook up" cable.
Travelled all the way to Anglesey before realising.
It was a Sunday after 6pm so no chance of just going out and buying one.

It is only then you realise how many things in a modern caravan need 240v.
The TV would work with the 12v supply, but the SKY HD wouldn't.
I have three kids and have a lot of their stuff saved on the SKY box.
No sat TV meant possibly having to actually speak to the missus, so i decided to leave her and the van and drive back home for the hook up!
5 hours later i arrived back at the caravan. Only to find out i had left the garage door open at home..........(neighbour had phoned the missus)
Thankfully, the neighbour went into the garage and locked everything up for us.

Since then, i put the hook up lead and sky box on the front seat of the car. The wife goes in the boot with the rest of the gear :lol:

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

[Stewart]

Why do I get the feeling I'm gonna turn up at my yard one morning and find half the forums turned up for a drive by holiday.