When did caravans get so big?
Discussion
When I was a kid, in the early 80's, we had a couple of caravans and several very successful summer holidays.
One was an Abbey and one a Sprite, they weren't new even then, I recall them being 12ft vans, plus 3ft or so for the towbar. Maybe 15ft total? That 4.5mtrs and they were 4 berth.
Seems now 4 berth vans are a lot bigger? The smallest Swift Alpine 2 berth is 6 mtrs.
I'd like a 3 or 4 berth van at 4.5mtrs, who makes such a thing?
One was an Abbey and one a Sprite, they weren't new even then, I recall them being 12ft vans, plus 3ft or so for the towbar. Maybe 15ft total? That 4.5mtrs and they were 4 berth.
Seems now 4 berth vans are a lot bigger? The smallest Swift Alpine 2 berth is 6 mtrs.
I'd like a 3 or 4 berth van at 4.5mtrs, who makes such a thing?
C0ffin D0dger said:
You can now get 'vans that are 8ft wide too!
Realistically it's all the modern conveniences that are fitted to new caravans that makes them big. Our modest 4 berth (08 Coachman Pastiche 520/4) has an end washroom with a separate shower, side bunks for the kids, and a decent kitchen. All takes up space. It's 7.3m nose to tail and the weight is on the limit of what I should be towing with my BMW 535D estate according to the 85% guide anyway. Car manufacturers making their cars lighter doesn't help us caravanners!
My parents first caravan (Panther something or other) must have been tiny in comparison. Bunks at the back, double at the front, tiny washroom (no shower). Really wasn't anything to it.
Have you looked at Eribas? https://www.eriba.com/en/
Remember the slightly odd kid and school that suffered a bit of ribbing? He bought an Eriba.Realistically it's all the modern conveniences that are fitted to new caravans that makes them big. Our modest 4 berth (08 Coachman Pastiche 520/4) has an end washroom with a separate shower, side bunks for the kids, and a decent kitchen. All takes up space. It's 7.3m nose to tail and the weight is on the limit of what I should be towing with my BMW 535D estate according to the 85% guide anyway. Car manufacturers making their cars lighter doesn't help us caravanners!
My parents first caravan (Panther something or other) must have been tiny in comparison. Bunks at the back, double at the front, tiny washroom (no shower). Really wasn't anything to it.
Have you looked at Eribas? https://www.eriba.com/en/
bristolracer said:
I have an Eriba, they are much heavier than the size would indicate.
Something I have learned, is that it doesn't really matter how big the van is.
You tow it from point A to point B whether its 13 ft or 27ft , when its parked its parked,size doesn't matter.
Since the OP 'were a lad' caravans have far better towing abilities,stabilisers,braking systems,better chassis etc, and the comfort in them has increased from gas mantle lamps and a bucket to pee in, to bathrooms with hot water,showers,flushing toilets, heating, lights,microwaves, ovens,permanent beds, Usb sockets and so on. Hence the size.
The cars we tow with are also far better,turbo diesel engines,better tyres for traction, anti lock brakes and so on.
I cant imagine an old Cortina pulling along a modern day van!
Like our cars the caravan evolved, My Eriba is probably the same size as a1970s sprite musketeer.
Thanks. Its amazing how times change, in 1971, when i was a baby, my folks towed a caravan from Southampton to Scotchland with a Opel Kadett!Something I have learned, is that it doesn't really matter how big the van is.
You tow it from point A to point B whether its 13 ft or 27ft , when its parked its parked,size doesn't matter.
Since the OP 'were a lad' caravans have far better towing abilities,stabilisers,braking systems,better chassis etc, and the comfort in them has increased from gas mantle lamps and a bucket to pee in, to bathrooms with hot water,showers,flushing toilets, heating, lights,microwaves, ovens,permanent beds, Usb sockets and so on. Hence the size.
The cars we tow with are also far better,turbo diesel engines,better tyres for traction, anti lock brakes and so on.
I cant imagine an old Cortina pulling along a modern day van!
Like our cars the caravan evolved, My Eriba is probably the same size as a1970s sprite musketeer.
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