Camper to tow a Car

[ATM]

2Btoo said:

oblio said:

https://www.lnbleisure.co.uk/index.php/2/

Interesting read, thanks for the link.

That says that the vacuum servo braking system on the towcar (i.e. car being towed) needs to be working. How do they achieve that without the engine running?

Does this work?

https://www.lnbleisure.co.uk/index.php/4/

[21st Century Man]

It looks like a sophisticated system, our Panda was a MKI and didn't have a servo, it was just a cable, but it was effective, I could feel the Panda pulling back on our Kontiki just as I came off the brakes sometimes.

[2Btoo]

ATM said:

Does this work?

https://www.lnbleisure.co.uk/index.php/4/

Yes, and it's interesting. Thanks. Looks like a small electrically powered pump that creates a vacuum in the towed car's brake servo, which will provide the assistance for the brakes and meet the legislation requirement.

[ATM]

I've seen some cheap looking lorry or truck type conversions. What's the deal with these. I know you can drive anything up to 7.5 tonne on an older license. Anything else I need to be aware of? I thought I heard somewhere that you cant park a lorry on the side of a road like a car or van. Like I say not sure where I heard that and therefore if it's true.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313061887059

[GSalt]

The only distinction I know for lorries is:

HC Rule 246
Goods vehicles. Vehicles with a maximum laden weight of over 7.5 tonnes (including any trailer) MUST NOT be parked on a verge, pavement or any land situated between carriageways, without police permission. The only exception is when parking is essential for loading and unloading, in which case the vehicle MUST NOT be left unattended.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/waiti...

[ATM]

So they can be parked next to a pavement like a van but can not mount the pavement - am I reading that correct?

But that rule is for vehicles over 7.5 tonne which I suspect does not apply to a smaller lorry like the one above, right?

[GSalt]

This summarises the position,
https://moderngov.dover.gov.uk/documents/s18099/Ba...

Regardless of whether or not you can legally park at the side of the street, you also ave to avoid causing an obstruction - and with a larger vehicle it's easier to be an obstruction with a larger vehicle than with a smaller vehicle. My < 3.5t a-class Hymer is probably the same width as that truck conversion, but I'll get away with putting two wheels on the verge/curb to minimise the obstruction I create when parking on the narrow street outside my house.

[ATM]

What if the 7.5 tonne lorry has been rated as a motorhome, can it mount the pavement then?

[GSalt]

No. It's still a Private Goods Vehicle.

[21st Century Man]

There doesn't seem to be anymore space inside than a typical van conversion though, let alone a coachbuilt, for the sheer size and heft of the thing.

[ATM]

21st Century Man said:

There doesn't seem to be anymore space inside than a typical van conversion though, let alone a coachbuilt, for the sheer size and heft of the thing.

Looks quite big to me when you look at this

[Notwen]

Have you looked at C class RV/Campers?
We used to tow with a 27ft, E450. Ours was V10, but they did a V8 version in the E350.
Great spec, not too big for British roads, towing no issue and you won't get turned away from a camp site, for similar money to a 20 year old EU motorhome.

[ATM]

Would they turn you away in a MAN truck?

[Notwen]

Possibly. I have seen site booking forms in the past that were worded to exclude such conversions.
usually the sort of site that won't allow panel vans towing caravans either.

[ATM]

Ok

Sounds like he sort of place I wouldn't want to go anyway.

I mean if there is such a thing as snobbery on a camp site then I dont want any part of it. I mean its camping right, it doesn't get any simpler than that.

[2Btoo]

ATM said:

I mean if there is such a thing as snobbery on a camp site then I dont want any part of it. I mean its camping right, it doesn't get any simpler than that.

Oh such innocence!

You have much to learn, young Padwan. So very much to learn.

[ATM]

Perhaps rock up in this and then just demolish their site completely.

The interior is a little more utilitarian than I was expecting for the money which is probably why the seller seems more interested in talking about the cubby holes and power and water and what not.

It is right hand drive so it might have been made for the uk but I'm not sure what purpose they had in mind.

113 grand

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143545476354

[Notwen]

Possibly and ex-fire appliance chassis

[ATM]

Right but if you were planning to build a camper for 113 grand would you build it with a 2 row cab like that and a living space which ain't even that plush.

Or is there something about having a massive wagon to pull other stuff that I'm missing here?

Like if you need to pull your 15 tonne monster truck or 15 tonne something else.

Or is just because you want to have the biggest wagon at the party?