First time towing & checking out van

[saturnuranus]

Evening all. A family friend is currently ill and needs his twin axle monster towing back from Devon so it can be sold. I've been persuaded to do it (pending fixing of my motor) with a generous application of cash and red bull so just need a few simple queries settling.

I know nothing about caravans, and this one has been sitting in a park since about this time last year, so wondering what I need to check prior to hitching it up. Is it as simple as checking that the brakes and lights work and the tyres are up to scratch?

Any tips that help to avoid me being killed greatly received!

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by saturnuranus

Evening all. A family friend is currently ill and needs his twin axle monster towing back from Devon so it can be sold. I've been persuaded to do it (pending fixing of my motor) with a generous application of cash and red bull so just need a few simple queries settling.

I know nothing about caravans, and this one has been sitting in a park since about this time last year, so wondering what I need to check prior to hitching it up. Is it as simple as checking that the brakes and lights work and the tyres are up to scratch?

Any tips that help to avoid me being killed greatly received!

Hi
First of all check.
The weight of the van 80% of the weight of the car is ideal .
Tyres for pres , condition , [ for cracks etc ]also check the cars tyres ,
press should be as full load
Brakes for sticking , effectiveness , hand brake , not sticking etc
check breakaway cable , and make sure its connected.
check tow hitch , for rust muck etc.
Check the lights , [ you may have early socket the van may have later] give
the socket a spray of WD40.
give it a clean {dirty vans get the Eye from the law]
Check the contents for loose items
check the nose weight
The 740GLE should tow it Ok as long as you take it easy , [ I have the same
car and tow all sorts with it.
any heavy items put in the back of the car as near to the center as pos , to
keep weight level .
if the above is done you should have no trouble.
Forgive any spelling mistakes as I have done this in a hurry [ I`m on my way out.
Regards
Mike B

[fowlerman]

I would just add, as you say it's a "twin axle monster," make sure it isn't over 7ft 6in wide, some of the continental ones are, as this would be illegal to tow with a vehicle under 3500kg kerb weight. Use towing mirrors, plod can pull you for inadequate rear view, also be aware that any overtaking HGV's may cause the outfit to sway slightly,this is normal, and nothing to worry about. Remember that as it is a long outfit the van will clip the kerb on corners if you don't allow for it. Don't let all this put you off, I've been towing for 40 years, and if I can do it anyone can.

Regards Pete.

[saturnuranus]

Thanks for the replies guys, just the help I was after.

I'll be towing with the 850 Mike if it's fixed. Sadly my 740 doesn't have a tow bar.

After much discussion with the chaps missus I believe it is this van, or something very similar to it - lots of models look all the same to me! I'm hoping it isn't quite as big as the one in the picture TBH. Will the weight be ok? I'm planning to do the run in the middle of the night so I should have plenty of margin for error on the various turns/junctions along route

[zetectdci]

Hi - try entering your car & caravan details on whattowcar.com and it gives you a full breakdown of performance, weight, speeds etc- Good Luck and remember and give yourself plenty breaking distance.

[outnumbered]

Originally Posted by saturnuranus

Thanks for the replies guys, just the help I was after.

I'll be towing with the 850 Mike if it's fixed. Sadly my 740 doesn't have a tow bar.

After much discussion with the chaps missus I believe it is this van, or something very similar to it - lots of models look all the same to me! I'm hoping it isn't quite as big as the one in the picture TBH. Will the weight be ok? I'm planning to do the run in the middle of the night so I should have plenty of margin for error on the various turns/junctions along route

there will be a plate on the van with the weights
MIRO
MTPLM.
MIKE

[Mad Malc]

Check your driving licence as well. Depending on when you passed your test will determine if you can tow a caravan or trailer.
Check out the DVLA site for full information.
If you are not used to towing stick to an absolute max of 50mph.

[scottishvolvo]

I might be wrong (and probably are) but to tow a twin axle 'van do you not need a 4 wheel drive, not sure why. Happy to be proven wrong.

[saturnuranus]

Originally Posted by Mad Malc

Check your driving licence as well. Depending on when you passed your test will determine if you can tow a caravan or trailer.
Check out the DVLA site for full information.
If you are not used to towing stick to an absolute max of 50mph.

The DVLA site (or more specifically the PDFs contained there in) is a minefield, but this form seems to suggest that as a Cat B license holder I can drive an outfit with a MAM no greater than 3500KG, which should mean I am ok.

Originally Posted by DVLA

A car and a trailer, where the total maximum authorised mass of both is not more than 3500KG and the maximum authorised mass of the trailor is not more than the unladen weight of the car.

As regards the 4WD requirement, that could ruin the whole weekend

Thanks for your help guys

[4wheeldriver]

Originally Posted by scottishvolvo

I might be wrong (and probably are) but to tow a twin axle 'van do you not need a 4 wheel drive, not sure why. Happy to be proven wrong.

Used to pull a twin axle swift with a 5 series BMW. Wasnt the ideal 85% match that they say to look for but at 88% was easy to live with.