To trail or not to trail.....?

[mwheatley]

Hi All,

We've just come back from an extended trip to France and I'm having 2nd thoughts about the advantages of taking the trailer. Firstly, it stops you from making quick stop offs to look at towns and villages due to having to find a double (free!) parking space that can be gotten into easily. Which takes me nicely onto reversing into tight spots when you can't see out of the back window (bike rack).....I found taking it off, reversing then putting it back on the easiest...this was only after the top of the trailer hitting the bike rack & knocking the whole lot off....4 bikes included.....nice damage to tailgate!!!

Anyway, I wanted to know what other options people have come across? We have 2 kids, so luggage can be a problem. I've tried the fiamma box, but this won't work with a bike rack that you actually want to put bikes on!! I've thought about a roof rack, but would I have the strength to pop the roof with all that kit on? Also, would I have to carry ladders to get up to it (can't have fixed one on back because of bike rack)? I have the Westy with the open "panel" section on the cab roof, not the enclosed one that I know can be used to carry some kit, but I'm not sure this would be enough space.

Has anyone made a roof box for the front, above the cab, seated on roof bars? This is my next thought but thought it may make the van look a bit wiered and do nothing for fuel economy!

So, there you have it...dilemma! All suggestions will be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

[kevtherev]

All suggestions will be gratefully received

Imagine the room for your stuff if the pop top was up all the time... (high top plug)
re economy.. It is a proven fact that High tops are more aerodynamic than westy poppers, so what ever you add won't make much difference.

seriously though is there anything you're carrying in the trailer that can be left at home?

[mwheatley]

The wife !!

Seriously, yes....which I think has prompted me to write this thread. But not enough to just use the van.

[kevtherev]

. But not enough to just use the van.

Do you sleep and cook in the van?

[mwheatley]

Yep, but I have posted an earlier thread about what cooker to attach to the underslung lpg take off valve, so that will be another thing to carry! Hard work cooking in the van with 4 of us in there though!

[kevtherev]

So whats in the trailer?

[mwheatley]

Okay, you asked for it.....

awning (full)
awning (sun)
table
chairs
folding camp kitchen....for 50mb cooker I was going to buy over in France (didn't though!!)
Quechua tent (to throw all clothes bags & car seats into when we are pitch for a one night "quick camp")
tag along bike for little 'un (already have 4 bikes on bike rack)
box of bits (leccy hook up cable, mallet, socket set, bungies etc)
buckets and spades (kids not mine)
wife!
wine!

I know, I know....but we used it all...except tag along which will be put up for sale on here soon!

[kevtherev]

Okay, you asked for it.....

awning (full)
awning (sun)
table
chairs
folding camp kitchen....for 50mb cooker I was going to buy over in France (didn't though!!)
Quechua tent (to throw all clothes bags & car seats into when we are pitch for a one night "quick camp")
tag along bike for little 'un (already have 4 bikes on bike rack)
box of bits (leccy hook up cable, mallet, socket set, bungies etc)
buckets and spades (kids not mine)
wife!
wine!

I know, I know....but we used it all...except tag along which will be put up for sale on here soon!

looks a lot like my list till I got fed up with carting it about.
We use the table from the camper outside, you need a tripod foot and a short leg for the fold away bag chairs.
A cab bunk is a great place to put stuff for the one nighters, it makes the front into a two shelf storage area at night.
a small single burner briefcase cooker, or the fold up two burner. but you have to use the van cooker
hooky cable went in the wardrobe
Awning was junked in the summer as there was nothing to put in it...then eventualy completely, the excuse that "it's somewhere to go in the rain" was a lie to ourselves as we sat round the table and played games... in the van, where it was warm
the sun awning can be attatched to the top with a second rail.. or get a Fiamma F45

just a few suggestions

[T'Onion]

get a roof rack , up grade the pop top lifter to cope with the extra weight and away you go , job sorted. See Jedthespreads posts on this subject

[mwheatley]

Thanks Mr T,

I think it may have to be a roof rack. I did read Jed's thread on this a while ago, but wasn't sure it was the solution for me......when the roof is up and you want to get something out of the roof rack will it cause the rest of the stuff to cascade down to the bottom? When the roof rack has nothing in it & you want to pop the roof with the heavy duty gas struts will it catapult the roof into the next village (with me still hanging onto it)? Also, is it difficult to pull the roof back down when the roof rack is empty? Questions that maybe I need to ask Jed?

[_robin]

get a high top - i can fit all that stuff on your list (and more) into mine. Plus I can stand up in the back and enjoy the view out of the side windows - v handy for keeping an eye on the kids as they run around the site like lunatics

[T'Onion]

Thanks Mr T,

I think it may have to be a roof rack. I did read Jed's thread on this a while ago, but wasn't sure it was the solution for me......when the roof is up and you want to get something out of the roof rack will it cause the rest of the stuff to cascade down to the bottom? When the roof rack has nothing in it & you want to pop the roof with the heavy duty gas struts will it catapult the roof into the next village (with me still hanging onto it)? Also, is it difficult to pull the roof back down when the roof rack is empty? Questions that maybe I need to ask Jed?

I've watched Jed put his up and pull it down , he doesn't have any problems with it , The stronger struts help lift the extra weight ( and he carries some rite stuff on his) , when he wants something he just climbs up , ( just don't offer to help him down little fat foooker , it was like WWF )

Pm Jed for more info on the rack and struts