I saw a thread on here re this subject at some stage, but can't find it.
I've changed my mind about getting a campervan, and now looking at a tiny poptop caravan.
The maximum ball weight of Lucy is 75kg, and my tow limit, unbreaked is 500kg, or breaked, 1200kg.
I'm searching for caravans weighing around 600 - 700kg and will have the extra breaks, but how do you calculate the ball weight before you purchase it?
elliemike said
08:09 PM Aug 4, 2011
Beth54 wrote:
I saw a thread on here re this subject at some stage, but can't find it.
I've changed my mind about getting a campervan, and now looking at a tiny poptop caravan.
The maximum ball weight of Lucy is 75kg, and my tow limit, unbreaked is 500kg, or breaked, 1200kg.
I'm searching for caravans weighing around 600 - 700kg and will have the extra breaks, but how do you calculate the ball weight before you purchase it?
Beth
Click on "SEARCH" Top centre in the blue line.
Type in something like ! "Ball Weight" ,Gross Weight, weight limit, Tow weight. or sommat like that.
Been lots of past posts on this subject.
You will get lotsa help on here.
Regards
Mike
landy said
11:05 PM Aug 4, 2011
Hi Beth I think i am corect in saying the ball weight of the van should be on its compliance plate but can be alterd by the way you load it and how much water there is in the tank ect. a lot of dealers have a set of roll out scales they can put under the coupling and weigh it for you.
hope this helps cheers Landy
Peter_n_Margaret said
06:48 AM Aug 6, 2011
Beth, I doubt that you will find a caravan at 600-700kg. You will need to be higher. For low ball weights like the 75kg you quote can be measured with bathroom scales. They will not be listed on compliance plates. I suggest that the Hyundai i30 will not make a good tug with those limits.
Cheers, Peter
ozjohn said
09:19 AM Aug 6, 2011
Beth,
"Hyundai i30 (Lucy) towing a Leisurelite camper trailer (Gypsy)".
I think your current set up will be as close as it gets with the i30. Cheers, ozjohn.
Clare46 said
09:26 AM Aug 6, 2011
Beth
Have you looked at the Avan campers as they have some with a tare of 600kg and ball weight of about 65kgs
Beth54 said
09:36 AM Aug 6, 2011
Thanks all.
We've narrowed it down to something like a Little Nipper. They are around the 600kg which will give me a little to play around with re the load.
The old 12ft caravans seem to still be heavy, but post '90 seem to be lighter. Now it's just a matter of finding a good one at a good price. I will be buying privately as the dealers put too much markup on them.
Beth.
jules47 said
06:55 PM Aug 6, 2011
Hi Beth - saw a little pop top down at Rathdowney yesterday, camped in their showground - it was called a "Robin" I think - about 10ft - towed by Ford Falcon wagon - they said it was so easy to tow, you forgot it was on - the man wasn't home, lady didn't know technicalities. Looked really cute - good luck in finding what you are looking for. See ya soon
Beth54 said
07:30 PM Aug 6, 2011
Thanks Jules. Yes, I know of that one too, but haven't seen any advertised. 10 - 12ft seems to be the go, and I'd prefer to stay under the $10,000 if possible.
Several Nippers around, but mostly NSW or SA. I looked at one today near here. Dan couldn't come, so going back tomorrow with him. It had some water marks around the poptop, so iffy about it. Owner said you'd be flat out finding one without water marks. That may be so, but I'd rather without.
PeterD said
11:13 PM Aug 6, 2011
You could look around for one of the tear-drop style caravans.
I saw a thread on here re this subject at some stage, but can't find it.
I've changed my mind about getting a campervan, and now looking at a tiny poptop caravan.
The maximum ball weight of Lucy is 75kg, and my tow limit, unbreaked is 500kg, or breaked, 1200kg.
I'm searching for caravans weighing around 600 - 700kg and will have the extra breaks, but how do you calculate the ball weight before you purchase it?
Beth
Click on "SEARCH" Top centre in the blue line.
Type in something like ! "Ball Weight" ,Gross Weight, weight limit, Tow weight. or sommat like that.
Been lots of past posts on this subject.
You will get lotsa help on here.
Regards
Mike
Hi Beth I think i am corect in saying the ball weight of the van should be on its compliance plate but can be alterd by the way you load it and how much water there is in the tank ect. a lot of dealers have a set of roll out scales they can put under the coupling and weigh it for you.
hope this helps cheers Landy
For low ball weights like the 75kg you quote can be measured with bathroom scales. They will not be listed on compliance plates.
I suggest that the Hyundai i30 will not make a good tug with those limits.
Cheers,
Peter
Beth,
"Hyundai i30 (Lucy) towing a Leisurelite camper trailer (Gypsy)".
I think your current set up will be as close as it gets with the i30.
Cheers, ozjohn.
Beth
Have you looked at the Avan campers as they have some with a tare of 600kg and ball weight of about 65kgs
Thanks all.
We've narrowed it down to something like a Little Nipper. They are around the 600kg which will give me a little to play around with re the load.
The old 12ft caravans seem to still be heavy, but post '90 seem to be lighter. Now it's just a matter of finding a good one at a good price. I will be buying privately as the dealers put too much markup on them.
Beth.
See ya soon
Thanks Jules. Yes, I know of that one too, but haven't seen any advertised. 10 - 12ft seems to be the go, and I'd prefer to stay under the $10,000 if possible.
Several Nippers around, but mostly NSW or SA. I looked at one today near here. Dan couldn't come, so going back tomorrow with him. It had some water marks around the poptop, so iffy about it. Owner said you'd be flat out finding one without water marks. That may be so, but I'd rather without.
Yes, I've seen them, but they're not for me.