Hi, My husband and I are thinking of taking a year off work to go caravanning around Australia to reguvinate before we start on the next phase of our life. I have just been made redundant and my husband has just had a heart attack, so it may be a good time to do this. My concern is the size of the van. We are looking at Jaycos in particular the Sterling slider but most seem to be 21-23feet which seems huge to me. We have had vans before, the biggest being 19ft so my question is 'how safe is it to tow longer vans'? Is there a real difference in towing a 19ft to towing a 23 foot van? We will buy the van first then get the car to tow it so I would appreciate some advice. Many thanks A&S
Other will answer your question I'm sure (I've only had smaller vans), But I just wanted to say Hi and wish you guys "Good Fortune" in your next phase.
We got into RV's when our financial adviser "told us" to heck with it "you could be dead next year, Go and buy a van now!". So we did. Best piece of advice he ever gave us.
Happy Trails
Jeff
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Live Long and Prosper
MN Triton auto diesel 4x4 & 20' 6" Kokoda Tribute II XL Platinum
Hi sabright, welcome from me. i was looking at MH but decided against it, looking into 5th wheelers at the moment they tell me not so much sway as on caravan. getting a dmax as tug. good luck with your travels.
Why do you need a van so big? - we are presently going around Australia in an Avan Cruiser which is 12ft long internally. We have a popup tent with a porta-potti, hot water system, double gas burners, kitchen sink and a TV to name but a few, and we enjoy ourselves just as much as those in their 23ft gin palaces (tongue in cheek) Larger vans will cost more to buy, tow and maintain. With a smaller van you will fit into smaller spaces and be able to take it into campsites inaccessible to larger vans plus you will find you spend most of your time sitting outside the van enjoying yourself.
Good Luck.
Most of the time when you're in a van your either lying down, sitting or cooking, so more floor space is a heavy and expensive option. Personally I say purchase the van with the layout you're happy with. Extra length gives a little more linear flood space, a few extra cupboards. and an increased fuel bill. Ozjohn.
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Retired Engineer, Ex Park Owner & Caravan Consultant. Holden 2.8 Colorado - Roma Elegance 17'6" Pop Top. Location: Mornington Peninsula Vic.
Welcome to the gang sabright, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I nearly missed you as you slipped in under the radar but the alarm sounded.
I have a Avan "Sportliner" and it does everything I want but will be looking at something a little bigger, but reluctantly, so might not happen quickly, I am going to see how things go when I go full time in the playground early 2015. The Avan is set up for free camping and like hako have a shower/toot tent so all good in that department.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
we tow a 20ft van have done over 80,000klms would not trade the size for anything suits us fine. Tow it with 100 series turbo diesel landcruiser great combination.
-- Edited by signwilson on Monday 14th of July 2014 03:05:07 PM
We have recently traded a 21' Jayco Sterling with slide out utilizing Nissan Navara as the tow vehicle to a 23' Jayco Outback sterling with a monster slide out utilizing 200 Land Cruiser as the tow vehicle. The length is not so much the issue but the weight. We have moved from 2.500 to roughly 3.000kg in weight. The set up is our home for the next 5 years and we are very happy with both the Jayco & Toyota product.
As other contributors have pointed out it is pretty much a personal choice but you need to match the tow vehicle with the van you are going to purchase.
All the best and take it from one of the many couples who have sold up and are now out in this huge play ground, go for it.
Hi from me too and good luck with the purchases you make.
We have a n 8m overall length van with a 200 series cruiser. Weight will always equal more fuel BUT we find ours does the job for OUR lifestyle.
Look at as many vans as you can and work out what suits you both the best, remembering what is important to YOU. At the end of the day it is your decision and buying a van that MAY be too small for YOU is an expensive mistake and one that you will be stuck with. Spend as much time as you want, without the salesperson, in the vans you think will fit your needs. Narrow it down then start haggling.
Again all the best in your decision making.
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Cheers Jeff
Ticking off the bucket list before we kick it!
200 TTD with Evernew 22'6" and 40+ years in the oil & gas industry, now retired. CMCA Member.
. We have had vans before, the biggest being 19ft so my question is 'how safe is it to tow longer vans'? Is there a real difference in towing a 19ft to towing a 23 foot van? We will buy the van first then get the car to tow it so I would appreciate some advice. Many thanks A&S
I do not believe that larger vans are less safe or harder to tow than smaller vans ... providing that they are set up correctly. ie. pulled by a vehicle of adequate towing rating, with the appropriate weight distribution gear & break controller et. al.
Most important is the speed of towing. Increased speed increases risk regardless of the van size.
We have a 21'6" Jayco & it tows like a dream behind the Patrol.
Larger vans usually provide greater opportunity for comfort but of course increase running costs & usually cost more.
I agree Cupie, in fact I reckon a larger van not only tows a little better but is easier to reverse. Ours has Simplicity suspension and we leave everything on the benches that normally sit there with non skid cut to size and have never had anything move.
Sabright: That's something you may like to look at, the suspension options? Depending on where/how you may use it, just a thought.
-- Edited by Legendts on Tuesday 15th of July 2014 09:30:58 AM
-- Edited by Legendts on Tuesday 15th of July 2014 06:37:33 PM
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Cheers Jeff
Ticking off the bucket list before we kick it!
200 TTD with Evernew 22'6" and 40+ years in the oil & gas industry, now retired. CMCA Member.
Hi Sabright Welcome On and Off I like so many on this site have been towing vans for many many years. If there is one thing I've learned its that size does matter you will get used to towing it however big it is but whatever size it is has to be your choice. You are doing the right thing decide on the van then get a tug to suit.
Longer vans can be more stable at the expense of being less agile .. With well set up balance as said..
Its the braking and extra weight.. But if your towing with a Cruiser ? You should be fine..
I doubt the extra weight would worry a good diesel either..
Yep get out there and enjoy.. Each other company as well..
Aha we are NOT small people and we find the amount of time we pass each other
inside our MH is countless .. Lol..
We have a 2013 20 foot Jayco Starcraft which we live in 24/7.
The important part of this deal (as mentioned before) is the weight and the compatibility of the tow vehicle.
We have 2500KGs behind us with WDH and ESC. Other than the higher fuel consumption I hardly know Im towing, we tow at 80 to 90KMPH just to keep it safe. We have a 2012 Ford Ranger XL duel cab ute, most trips we get 13 to 14 liters per 100KMs which Im told is good economy.
All of this is a matter of your own choice. We tried living in a 17 foot van for a while when ours was being built, it was not a pretty scene, just tripped over each other and no room for very much.
All up to you and your partner. BUT whatever you do... ENJOY YOURSELVES!!!!
Safe travels
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P B Crockart EX RAAF Electrician,
Aircraft Avionics tech. Senior high school teacher.
. Many thanks A&S
