Important issues regarding European caravans
This article outlines essential tips to extend your caravan's lifespan.
One of the most common mistakes is overloading your European caravan; some people want to take everything from home. There is usually a convenient 4-square store in every town. Try to keep the weight down as much as possible.
Every European caravan will have a manufacturer's plate located by the entrance door. This plate displays the vehicle's VIN, empty weight, and maximum carrying capacity.
In this example, the difference between the maximum payload weight and the empty weight is just 117 kg. If your caravan is equipped with various extras, such as motor movers, awnings, additional batteries, solar systems, and tanks, it’s important to add up the total weight of these items. It’s possible that this combined weight exceeds 117 kg. Therefore, it’s a good idea to weigh your caravan before embarking on your journey.
What are the consequences of overloading?
At Vantage RV, we have been overwhelmed by the number of vehicles we have repaired due to overloading or aging suspensions. European caravans were designed to be towed by low-powered passenger vehicles on well-maintained motorways and highways.
In New Zealand, we tow trailers with powerful UTEs and SUVs on logging tracks and poorly maintained highways. The suspension and body can be damaged if the vehicle is overloaded and hits a pothole.
The suspension system uses built-in rubber components that absorb road shocks, much like the Dura-Torque suspension commonly found in New Zealand. However, when the vehicle is overloaded, these rubber components are compressed further than usual and can no longer effectively absorb road shocks. As a result, these shocks are transmitted through the vehicle.
Tips to avoid damage and costly bills
To save money, avoid overloading your cupboards with food. Instead, consider purchasing your supplies at your destination and carrying most of the weight in the tow vehicle. Before you travel, weigh your vehicle and familiarise yourself with its carrying capacity. Calculate the total weight of all additional items and ensure most of it is in the tow vehicle. If your vehicle has tanks, travel with them empty. Additionally, drive slowly when the road conditions are questionable.
Things you can do to improve the towing ability of your caravan
We have become New Zealand's leading caravan repair specialist. We have custom machinery to extract and replace the rubber insert in the ALKO caravan suspension. We have gone a step further by developing a spring upgrade system that raises the caravan's height and better absorbs road impacts than the factory suspension. There is also a bolt-on version for new caravans that can be fitted to handle our special road conditions.
Learn more about the European caravan suspension upgrade
