Bigger van or trailer? Forums

Rojamr

Looking for advice from anyone who has towed a trailer around europe rather than buy a bigger van.

We are selling the house and taking at least a year out to travel around Europe, depending on finances, may then carry on to who knows where hello1

. Main dilemma at the moment is whether to stick with our van (which we have had from new and love) and buy a trailer to tow or buy a bigger second hand van. We have so much "stuff" - 4 bikes, endless walking and climbing equipment, rucksacks, tent etc and really don't know the best route to take.

Think we would both like the bigger van so everything is together, but for the size of van we are looking at it will probably cost another £10 - £15,000 on top of ours Shocked

. Would it be better financially to have the trailer or could we expect most of the second hand value back? Could also be a worry over not knowing the van before embarking on a big trip. Confused

I know it's probably down to personal choice at the end of the day, but anyone elses experiences welcome.

Thanks, Rachel

overthehill

I have no experience in this at all but a few thoughts cross my mind, I would ask myself whether ferry fares are dearer for a MH+trailer than a longer motorhome (depending on lengths, of course, as well) and what would I do with the trailer and how would I make sure it was secure if I left it because I wanted to take the MH somewhere for the day without the trailer? Also, what about payload vv towing on handling and fuel consumption?
I will be interested to hear the replies from those who have done it as I might need to consider it in the future.

Gill

Anonymous

Sorry, no towing experience here. Still here's my penny's worth...

Firstly, make sure you need all that stuff. Anything we haven't used in the last 3 months gets canned (except Xmas decorations!)

We would go for the larger van because we need the manoeverability and like to keep things simple (not worrying about where you have left a bit of your rig, nto being able to just drive off from wherever). Though we may have to get a trailer for the new van as Ben has had his motorbike passion re-kindled (after the garage has been part built and can't change Rolling Eyes

)

You don't say how big you current van is; we recon that anything you can get in a double space at Tescos is manageable... worked so far.

Lizzie
(will NOT be getting category E license, no matter how cool motorbikes mght be!!)

Anonymous

Bigger van totally based on gut feeling with no realiites taken into consideration

tigger

Hi Rojamr

We tow an Ifor Williams box van trailer with the motorbike in it, behind a Bessacar 745 on a Fiat 2.8JTD base. We have only toured in the UK up to now, but hope to do Europe later on this year.
As for towing, we hardly notice the difference, except on long hills where an extra downshift is required (I've contemplated fitting a performance chip to compensate, but can't really justify it for a few mph occasionally). The handling does not seem to be affected & the wife drives the outfit with ease (apart from the reversing).
Once on site, we position the trailer & fit a wheel clamp (for long periods, you could easily remove the wheels completely). Sites do not charge any extra for the trailer & it is just like having a shed on site, any damp or muddy stuff can be left in there to dry out.
Enjoy your trip whatever you decide, I just wish I was going.

Regards

Mark

Detourer

Agree with Tigger. Never had any problems at all with towing a trailer. Now can't live without it. Short breaks, few week holidays....OK, maybe not, but for extended tours or full timing great.

Touring out of the UK you will spend so much more time OUT of the motorhome, eating, relaxing, even cooking. A trailer makes it possible to take perhaps more suitable outdoor equipment. Our trailer, with it's own gas supply, even doubles as an outdoor kitchen with prep table, cooking rings, BBQ etc. A little thought means that "hobby" equipment can be stowed safe and secure.

Never had a problem leaving it on site, at least your place is there when you return. When we have thought it best to leave the trailer for longer periods (we do quite a bit of off road and desert) we have always found secure places to leave it.

Down side? Extra set of wheels/tires to think about and a bit of maintainance. Additional ferry and tolls, but these are often insignificant. Only real problem is of course reversing, when you can see it in your mirrors it's too late...............

Rojamr

Thanks for the opinion guys - think a lot more looking and dicusssing required!

Lizzie, yep, unfortunately (or fortunately!) we do need all that stuff. We are very light travellers when going by plane etc, but this is hopefully going to be a major climbing and biking trip where we might be spending several days in the mountains needing tent and snow equipment etc. We have only got a baby van at the moment, so extra space definitely needed Rolling Eyes

. Think you should organise a track day on a motorbike for Ben, let him scare himself silly and hopefully get it out of his system!

Have to agree with Tigger and Detourer about being able to chuck wet muddy bikes etc straight into the trailer. Not too worried about securing it - guess it's no different to securing caravan?

Quitting jobs and house, so big decision. Bigger van means less travelling money! Every day at work is torture knowing we can't go until next Feb! Still, got this site to keep me going Laughing

!

Thanks again!

Rachel

chuggalugs

Thinking this through I have come to the following conlution which will probably get me kicked off this site..............

Buy a smaller van so you can take 'day trips' and use as a base camp for climbing etc and buy a caravan Shocked

(OMG I said the 'C' word) as a more permanent base which you could also use for storage while travelling. If you bought a larger van you would be restricted to access for climbing - little country lanes etc and if you bought a trailer they are very difficult to keep secure while full of stuff even if you had a fully enclosed one.

A

PamNPete

oNLy problem with the trailer is that onn several European Motorways you will find yourself resticted to the slow lane

As they are doing now in UK on the roads to the WEST cOUNTRY

iTS all gone funny again

lecky7

We have a Hymer 574, & we tow a trailer with a small car on, but only on the Continent. The 'van pulls it quite easily, I can keep up a steady pace except of course on long uphills. We keep it at home, it has a fold up towbar, when we are'nt using it