stan wrote:

it is relevant Brian as most yorkie drivers stay at 60mph so without towing a white box they are easy to pass, with white box its more of a problem..

Geoff

Single person idea, not your normal tintent, but if you've got some spare cash. Small enough to move with one person, put in your garage/shed and at 750Kg can be towed by just about anything. Not cheap but bet it's fun

https://www.sealander.de/en/ Cheers
Richard

(there are no such things as an ordinary FullFat, an ordinary cat or too many tools)
2011 TDV8 Vogue Santorini Black
Gap IIDBT

Had a quick look - looks a fantastic toy. Have also been looking at Ariba because I was talking to my mate, he had one and he sold it to a dealer for more than he paid for it. I thought Caravan deprecation was even worse than our Range Rovers - apparently not so. Geoff

I'd forgtten about those, now you reminded me a colleauge at work had one and went all over UK and Europe with it. Liked the idea of low height for towing and having seen his photos they look good.

Also try searching folding and/or pop up caravans. Don't have tent fabric parts as in trailer tents Cheers
Richard

(there are no such things as an ordinary FullFat, an ordinary cat or too many tools)
2011 TDV8 Vogue Santorini Black
Gap IIDBT

Eriba are pretty much cult caravans so keep their value. Compact but have everything and are light to tow. Did think of mentioning them to you as, IMO, ideal for one person (or a couple).  John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Geoff,

Caravans are great. But Two Possible pitfalls I’ve learned The hard way since getting a caravan in 2018. They might not be relevant for you, but just in case:

1. Long, light twin axle caravans don’t tow well on motorways. Everybody says a FFRR and twin axle caravan is a dream combination. My 8m long 2018 twin axle caravan has an MRI of 1,498kg and a MTPLM of 1,678kg. Despite forensic loading and nose weight checking, it is still badly impacted by air pressure from passing large vehicles. Fine on single carriage way roads, horrible on dual carriageways and motorways. IMHO it is too light for its volume. I grew up on farms driving and towing and also have my HGV licence (took. Combine harvesters on low loaders to Hungary Back in the day). Our caravan is the worst thing I’ve ever towed. Even surpassing empty Hiluxes with heavy diesel bowsers in tow for scary moments!!!. If I was starting again I’d opt for a heavier caravan.

2. New caravans have LED lights which an older tow car doesn’t detect and so won’t know it’s towing. Ie. An L322 air suspension lowers itself at 60mph unless it knows it is towing. On a new caravan with LED lights, you have to get a Sargent electric box fitted to increase resistance (like conventional light bulbs do) so the car knows it is towing.

Good luck with it,
Tom 2004 L322 4.4 V8 Vogue Bonatti Grey
(205,500 miles and counting.......)

stan wrote:

it is relevant Brian as most yorkie drivers stay at 60mph so without towing a white box they are easy to pass, with white box its more of a problem..

My 2015 Coachman has twin axles and weighs 1.9 tons laden. It has LED lights and my 2012 AB with vehicle-specific electrics knows when it's there.

It tows superbly.

Dunc. The life you have is the only one you'll get; make the most of it.
--------‐--‐-----------------‐------------------‐---------------------------------------------------
2012 4.4 TDV8 L322 Autobiography
2003 TD5 Oslo Blue D2 ES Premium Auto (with mods!)

Is a caravan a "braked trailer" or am I right in that it doesn't need an MOT. Geoff

Caravans do not require an MoT.

Some useful general informatio. https://www.eandl.co.uk/help-and-informati...ments?cc=1 John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Cheers John, I didn't think so, but "braked trailers" in the thread caused my confusion (made me start thinking maybe some caravans had them) my OP doesn't mention trailers but then again it doesn't mention licences or HGVs. The other useful tip your link gives is if anyone I don't like stays with us I can make them sleep in the caravan.

Thanks to everyone who read my OP and has been helpful, certainly a few extra things to bear in mind that I hadn't thought of. Geoff

Any trailer over 750kg needs to have independent brakes.

No trailers require an MOT in the UK.

I bought a boat from a dealer in Germany - he said he'd send me through all the paperwork for the trailer in advance so that I could register it. He was amazed that I could just turn up, slap my number plate on the back & drive away. Over there all trailers have to be registered and require the equivalent of an MOT.

Some kind of test for trailers makes sense really - wouldn't be too hard, there's not much to check, but would help ensure they are roadworthy.

Like I said I'm thinking of buying a Caravan not a trailer, so I am assuming that (although interesting) all trailer talk is irrelevant to my OP.

However, as I might as well go off topic as well, how to independent trailer brakes work? I have only got a towball and electrics on the back of my Range Rover.

Maybe I should start a new thread "Inderendent Braking Systems"  Geoff

Geoff,

In the eyes of the law a trailer is a trailer is a trailer, so all the "trailer talk" is relevant.

Trailer/Caravan brakes in the UK are "overrun" brakes. When the towing vehicle slows down the weight of the Trailer/Caravan pushes against the towball and applies the brakes. When the towing vehicle speeds up/pulls away the brakes are released.

Modern Trailer/Caravans have "auto-reverse" brakes so that the brakes do not come on when reversing. 2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6

So you are suggesting I do need an MOT for a caravan??? Despite posts to the contrary, you sound as if you know what you are talking about. Geoff