The Camping Forum

[Admin]

So been thinking the last few days after looking at the railtrain in europe again.. its just not possible with a roofbox. so started thinking about getting a trailer.

Not to worried about the increased fuel costs from what i can see its so small wont see a difference compared to the roofbox.

What worrys me though is the towing speed of 60mph.. when your travling for example 400/500 miles dropping 20mph is like adding 1 - 2 hours extra travel time..

But this would allow us to take the roadtrain so its only the journy back home that has that issue and thats broken up over a couple of stops. (looking at Brussels to stop on way back in hotel this time)

The other bonus possability is if the trailer is big enough we could switch cars and take mine. I can over 400 miles on one tank on mine compared to just under 300 on the wifes. the old petrol vs diesal debate

Im wondering those of you that have trailers what speed you normally travel at?? do you stick to the 60mph limit? i would have thought you would have to due to them bouncing around all over the place??

Or is it possible to creep it up 70.. 75... 80???

[Rob-merlin1973]

Mmmm well i have to admit that even with the black box behind us i have seen very little difference in the fuel consumption. However i beleive you will see more fuel consumption on a petrol due to the lack of torque compared to a diesel.
As to sticking to the 60mph ....... of course i do or maybe not....

It is rare i drop below 70 but i tend not to go above. Did look down one day and notice i was doing 80 but that was a mistake.

there are also a large number of Tow bar luggage racks such as the Bak rack

http://www.bak-rak.com/

And the Thule BackUp

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4.php?15487

Could be another option

[in-a-tent]

Do I stick to 60, of course I do officer

Can the trailer handle faster speeds? Yes it can, I know of people who cruise along at 80+.

The limit is 60 here in the UK, but what is it in France where you will be doing most of the traveling?

Fuel efficiency wise, we get slightly better fuel efficiency WITH the trailer than without, because it sits in all the dirty air behind the car it affects the aerodynamics somehow. We've got a 1.8 petrol btw.

Space wise, you can also put the roofbox on top of the trailer and so the need for space in the car is further reduced.

It's a costly business though, getting a towbar fitted is around £100-200 then a trailer is £300+ that's without a cover (£30 for a soft one, £300 for a hard one), spare wheel (£70), hitchlock (£20), load bars (£100). But on the plus-side they hold their value just look on ebay and the towbar can be used for bike racks too.

[Admin]

Like the idea of that back box.. not seen that before. just over 300 quid all in.. plus you still need a towbar... hmm although i like it.. costing wise could be better off with second hand trailer???

Just dont know.. need to give it some thought

[Rob-merlin1973]

Got my towbar off Ebay for £55 and fitted it myself. Have to admit it was not a big job (8 bolts) and all the parts needed were included.

[Admin]

Got my towbar off Ebay for £55 and fitted it myself. Have to admit it was not a big job (8 bolts) and all the parts needed were included.

Are the removable ones anygood?? i know they are more expensive. but i like the idea of being able to remove it.. that said.. if its left on the next time some ******** idiot hits me when at a roundabout i may not have to replace the car this time round!!

[Rob-merlin1973]

What car have you got?

[in-a-tent]

When they fitted our towbar they removed the rear section of the chassis and replaced it with a different one. Not something I'd confident doing Was about £200 I think.

2nd hand trailers don't sell for much less than new ones I think you'll find.

Removable towbars work as well as the non-removable ones I think, but you're right about being rear ended, my dad had it happen and the car wasn't touched - unlike the other guys radiator which had a big hole in it.

One more thing is that some add-ons require either the bolt-on or swan-neck tow ball, our cycle carrier fits to a bolt on tow ball for example.

[in-a-tent]

What car have you got?

I think you'll find the car in front is a Toyota (thank god it's not behind)

[Admin]

What car have you got?

Toyota Auris, and the wife a Toyota Verso.

The auris we have only had since december due to the idiot that could'nt find his breaks..

[Rob-merlin1973]

witter towbar like mine £108

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Witter-Towbar-TOY ... 2ea2288b7e

Westfalia swan neck £98.61

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Westfalia-Towbar- ... 5884322fc4

Looking at these they seem quite easy to fit and dont need the bumper cutting.
If you contact the sellers they can usually give you a price with all the electrics and send you the installation instructions to look at.

It took my bro and me about 1 hour to fit and wire up so not to bad with mine.

[Admin]

witter towbar like mine £108

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Witter-Towbar-TOY ... 2ea2288b7e

Westfalia swan neck £98.61

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Westfalia-Towbar- ... 5884322fc4

Looking at these they seem quite easy to fit and dont need the bumper cutting.
If you contact the sellers they can usually give you a price with all the electrics and send you the installation instructions to look at.

It took my bro and me about 1 hour to fit and wire up so not to bad with mine.

Thanks, I'll take a look at those later.. ebay blocked here at work!

[Johann]

I wish a Škoda Yeti towbar was only £80 to £200. Mine was, wait for it, £834!!! It is a detachable Westfalia jobbie though:


http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/4167/03towbar.jpg

And when out:

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/472/10towbar.jpg

I have a Kamei Delphin 380 roof box too which I used on my Audi before the Yeti as it could not have a towbar fitted - other than at order from the factory (which I did not do) - as it was made of aluminium! On both the Audi and the Yeti the fuel penalty is hardly noticeable.

Pictured here with the Kamei and the Yeti's steel winter wheels and tyres:


http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/4769/imgp4812.jpg

I've not camped with the trailer yet so can't say about the fuel consumption - but having done 150 miles with it empty on Sunday there was no influence on the consumption. It is more versatile than a box BUT you can't park where you like and reversing is a pain, so that is to me a big negative versus a box. But due to the shape of a box and most cars having a low allowed weight limit for a box they are difficult to pack and fully utilise. The regular shape of a trailer and that it can carry MUCH more weight makes it the better bet in the end.

[Nunfa1]

Was that a dealer fit Johann? Sounds like it. I've had 2 quotes for my 3008, £275 and £284 or I can buy the parts for £135 and fit it myself...

[Johann]

Was that a dealer fit Johann? Sounds like it. I've had 2 quotes for my 3008, £275 and £284 or I can buy the parts for £135 and fit it myself...

Aye, dealer fit. But even independents ask nearly as much for a detachable and then they can't do the software upgrade to get the trailer ESP to work and the rear reversing sensors to switch off. So you have to do a dealer trip anyway. So I went with dealer. Five hours labour is the main culprit and they know what they're doing. So I won't dream of attempting it on my own!