Anyone tow with a campervan?

David G · 05 September 2013, 22:07

What size/power of van for a 6.5m RIB?

Advantages/disadvantages ?

Cheers.

Mollers · 05 September 2013, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orville

What size/power of van for a 6.5m RIB?

Advantages/disadvantages ?

Cheers.

Somewhere to kip/nightmare.

mick · 05 September 2013, 22:21

VW T5 174 BHP 4 motion nice bit of kit think mine would tow 2 ton

Mollers · 05 September 2013, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

VW T5 174 BHP 4 motion nice bit of kit think mine would tow 2 ton

Great van, pants camper.

mick · 05 September 2013, 22:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Great van, pants camper.

Be ok for a dwarf mine was for work

whisper · 05 September 2013, 23:27

gotchiguy · 06 September 2013, 00:58

Downhilldai · 06 September 2013, 01:13

^
Never been within sniffing distance of a slipway.

whisper · 06 September 2013, 01:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

^
Never been within sniffing distance of a slipway.

Dude, is that your rig? It looks really nice

Downhilldai · 06 September 2013, 01:20

No, that lot belonged to ex-forumist Hugh Jardon. He only had the boat for a short time - I think he may have sold it to fund the camper van

He used to tow the boat to somewhere near the shore with the camper van, then un-hitch it and hook it onto his car (which his wife had driven from home) to launch the boat, then after a few hours on the water and recovering it behind his car, they'd do the big swapover again and drive off separately to the campsite.

Bizarre!

camelgas · 06 September 2013, 07:55

Having borrowed a big camper of the type in the pictures from a family member for a short break , the following soon became apparent.

Where do you park it during the day when you go out off the site, carparks have height barriers and the lorry & coach parks largley do not allow camper vans, you are forced to park it miles away from where you are going and walk.

Also as said by others slipways would be a problem.

I would have thought a pannel van based conversion with a low/pop-up roof would be the answer, I run a volkswagen van for work and its been exellent.

Cookee · 06 September 2013, 08:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by camelgas

I would have thought a pannel van based conversion with a low/pop-up roof would be the answer, I run a volkswagen van for work and its been exellent.

I am involved with a company that converts VW T5 vans to day vans or full campers and everything in-between - T5's generally tow about 2500 kg and no more (legally).

Daniel · 06 September 2013, 08:27

Towed / launched a 6m off a mazda bongo once. Good at it but seam to remember loved to drink the jungle juice.

oracle · 06 September 2013, 08:29

My 7m only weighs 2000kg fully fuelled and ready to go so 2500kg is plenty for me and is virtually as much as my Kia Sorrento will pull albeit without the 4wd unless you can find (and afford) a 4Motion.

Mollers · 06 September 2013, 09:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

I am involved with a company that converts VW T5 vans....

Who's that?

My Old Dad has a Torbay New Yorker. It's purely for sacrificial purposes, he takes it out, gives its a dig, it saves his car from getting clouted.

He's 82 bless him.

steco1958 · 06 September 2013, 09:40

I have a Motorhome 7.5 m and a 4.9 m rib, the only time i launch the rib from the MH is when we travel to Spain, and launch it from a very shallow slopped slipway in the marina at Canyelles.

When in the UK I always use the car to launch, if we are stopping for several days, I will ensure we have either a car available to us for launching, or that my daughter comes on holiday with us and she uses the car.

I would never put my MH on a UK slip, most are far too steep.

gotchiguy · 06 September 2013, 11:07

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIG9P0lB1iA

tim2658 · 06 September 2013, 11:16

I have a vw t4 kitted out as a full camper and used to tow my 6m rib around everywhere with no worries, I've just towed my 4m Avon to Newquay and back with the van fully loaded and I still was getting 40mpg so a good all rounder (and I fit in every car park which is a bonus) !!!

rik_elliott · 06 September 2013, 12:38

I used to tow a small RIB with a VW T25, it killed the clutch in no time! I now have a T4 and intend to put a tow bar on it. If you were towing any distance and went for a T4, I would recommend the 2.5 tdi - excellent engines. T5s are lovely too.

Swain Marine · 06 September 2013, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel

Towed / launched a 6m off a mazda bongo once. Good at it but seam to remember loved to drink the jungle juice.

I have a Bongo 4x4 2.5 TD auto and it tows my Ribtec 5.35 OK, but yes heavy on fuel 22-25mpg solo no idea what it does towing as I haven't towed far or checked.