'Cus you don't see many of 'em probably Andy.

Hills are the worst part of driving with a caravan on the back....oh and reversing in tight spaces on your own too!!

Fish are biting nicely this week

hehe, was always going to be a thread that splits opinion

Theres nothing more irritating than catching a slow moving caravan - apart from when you are towing one! The extra length means that the overtake needs to be planned with considerable care. Normally gets amused looks from other road users watching, tho!

Hills? Not found one yet on an a/b-road that I can't get up at 60 mph - that's what third gear/rev limiter is there for! But then my caravan only weighs 660kg - not bad for a 5 birth with hot water, shower, fridge, heating, etc!

My thoughts on the subject:

1. Introduce a 'Caravan Tax' I dunno say

On a different tack, what are you guys towing with? And how much are you pulling, and any how do you get on (stability, performance, mpg, etc).

If you stick a towbar onto an Octy, do you have to alter the rear bumper panel, or does the gubbins dangle beneath it?

I ask cos I quite fancy the idea, but I was wondering if the towbar would reduce the ground clearance by much (I've already made a **** of myself once this year by bellying my motor on a grass banking)?

Just wondered, as I dont recall seeing one with a bar fitted.

My thoughts on the subject:

1. Introduce a 'Caravan Tax' I dunno say

Fish are biting nicely this week

Stuff like this always brings the Pirahna out in me :P Geoff!

Good to hear the differing views mind,even if some of them rile and frustrate me...Blinkered views I think I called them.

As I said,I used to think caravanners were ALL tosspots...some sadly are,and that's what gives us ALL a bad name. Grossly unfair!

A test should be compulsary,I would agree with that,with a strong emphasis on making good progress to prevent these ques that obviously upset you so much..if I see a que forming behind me,of say 3 or more cars,I DO actively look for somewhere to pull over to let them past.

Ant I agree wholeheartedly with you about catching up with and trying to overtake numpties in old toyotas doing 35 when higher speeds would be safe.

Hills are a bit of a problem for me at the moment,'cus my110 bhp C5 is a bit gutless,and can't wait to change it for a 'sorted' Octavia est., next year.

Agree about a test, both for towing and loading - see some horrendously loaded setups with towbar nearly on the deck and front wheels of the car virtually off the ground - would not like to steer in an emergency in *that* outfit!!

To be honest, a small (30mins?) test should be compulsory for all towing.

And a course for women to learn how to empty cassette toilets.

Why is emptying the toilet the mans job? And why do women insist on using the caravan one rather than one that empties itself?

Why is emptying the toilet the mans job? And why do women insist on using the caravan one rather than one that empties itself?

Exactly

Why is emptying the toilet the mans job? And why do women insist on using the caravan one rather than one that empties itself?

I hadn't thought about this. Maybe a caravan isn't such a good idea after all. :(

I hadn't thought about this. Maybe a caravan isn't such a good idea after all. :(

:gay:

Oh bother..have I missed all the fun??

My thoughts on the subject:

1. Introduce a 'Caravan Tax' I dunno say

On a different tack, what are you guys towing with? And how much are you pulling, and any how do you get on (stability, performance, mpg, etc).

towing with Octy vRS estate

a light 13' 4/5 berth

no problems at all with stability ,performance at ANY speed! only slight problems can be hill starts in the wet - a bit tricky getting the balance right between no boost and loads of boost - the traction control can struggle then!

I've towed for about 23 years (not continueusly!!) all over england,scotland,ireland,orkney,shetland and parts of europe

marc

If you stick a towbar onto an Octy' date=' do you have to alter the rear bumper panel, or does the gubbins dangle beneath it?

I ask cos I quite fancy the idea, but I was wondering if the towbar would reduce the ground clearance by much (I've already made a **** of myself once this year by bellying my motor on a grass banking)?

Just wondered, as I dont recall seeing one with a bar fitted. [/quote']

no alteration on the estate -prefer not to comment on my gubbins dangling

on the vrs it does reduce the rear ground clearance so if you go up a steep slope it can clip the bracket - but not in normal driving!

contrary to some opinions....you can fit one if you have reversing sensors...I have and they do not bleep all the time ( except when the 'van is attached)

in addition....a towbar with a bright bump plate fitted to it makes wonderful protection at teh back of the car - see how much room they leave you then!a few weeks ago got back to the car to find it had been nudged from behind while someone parked....I knew because part of their number plate was stuck to my bar ....no damage to mine

Oh bother..have I missed all the fun??

hehehe - still plenty of time

depending on what side you are on

Ah Caravans.............bloody sheds on wheels :thumbdwn:

:argue: Right, I'm back !

Who's still slaggin' us off? and wantin' a nark

Toilets! Ant and Spinndrift! Strewth,women...they DO all think and act the same. It apparently IS the mans job,and yeah,why won't they use the loos provided on site. Totally baffles me that if you are paying for the facilities...why won't they USE 'EM!

Ah Caravans.............bloody sheds on wheels :thumbdwn:

Someone else come to join the bunfight then ey

Ey you and Andy Kentish would be amazed how many cans of stella you can fit in a caravan fridge...all there nice and cold just waiting for you once you've arrived at your destination

Feet up, mrs cooking tea, music/tv on, and admiring the scenery if you've chosen the right site...of which there are plenty.

How about a pitch overlooking Kielder water Total peace, beauty,and quiet. Pitch black at night,tens of thousands of stars to gaze at,whilst listening to the distant hoots of an owl.

I know, I've been there

There again you might prefer the sounds of drunken obscene english skinheads,wandering through the steets of Kavos, looking for a fight, with the gentle aroma of thousands of burgers wafting through the stifling 90 F night air! Fantastic!

Personal choice isn't it. Praps just as well not everyone does like caravanning,or we'd never get on a site :eek:

Right you lot, Some of us women do empty the toilet, I am a single mum & regularly take my 3 lads away. I tow a small trailer tent, I also use facilities where there is any & encorage my lads to do the same ( unless of course its in the night ) Yes I was brought up caravanning & the only thing I didn't like was close company to my Bro. But the feeling was mutual, it was a age thing. Enjoyed it when i was younger & am loving it now. The lads enjoy it ( most of the time, but siblings fall out anywhere, but soon make new friends & are happily playing). Fitting a towbar is easy, did most of it myself, was overseen by my dad, he did the electrics. As for speed, well on normal roads no difference. yes on a moterway I am restricted to 60, but so are wagons ect. One day I may upgrade to a caravan. I do it alone, yet when i arrive onsite nearly allways get offers of help, which i accept ( for things like putting the awaning up). When I am solo on the moterway, I just overtake others,but when towing, others can overtake me, I happily overtake when the need calls, safely as when solo. having a trailer does not prevent me from driving. I just take it easy. I have the advantage that I can see well above my trailer & others in front don't realise I am towing. I can even put the kettle on if I wish during a break ( not that I have done yet), & those who have a caravan can even use their loo ( usefull with children in laybys).

CJ old chap you have made one vital and fatal error....I dont drink Stella...only Becks, cold and from the green bottles not cans.(But dont forget those single malts )