Towing a 22ft caravan with X reg Tranny (90) and ferry costs

[chrisuk]

Still havnt got my tranny sorted out yet, apparently there is a supply problem with reconned (yes, con) injector pumps from Ford, that aside I was wondering if the Duratorque DI 90 (Turbo) is capable of towing a +/- 22ft caravan (twin axle) all the way through France down into South of Spain (Costa Del Sol region), I even intend to do a oil change half way to make sure all is fine, obviously speed and load will be important and I dont intend to break the continental caravan towing speed record as it will be carrying my big bike in the tranny, the two woofs and other bits, the caravan will be loaded with other items but not heavy, I might even get a smaller caravan and if anyone knows of one going around April time in 2006 you can let me know or if you someone who wants caravan taking down that part of the world the offer is there, there will be charge and I'll work it out later if a tow is required

Aslo does anyone have any idea how much it would cost on the ferry from Dover to Calais one way and if there's anyone here who needs something taken down that part of the world I will have lots of space in van and Caravan

[Luke]

out of interest how much does a 19ft caravan weigh?

[chrisuk]

Im not 100% sure, or put it this way I havnt a clue....yet

[jay]

my 1980 ish europa ci caravan which is a big 21 foot single axle!!!weighs in at 1300 kgs loaded with awning/tv/and clothes for me and her indoors and little thing which takes my tools when i need them!!.

[madmark]

chris is your van rwd or fwd???? if rwd i cant see a problem ,the newer engine transits have more grunt than the old di type so i think you would be fine mate!

[phil g]

ask at yer nearest gypsy site they will know

[chrisuk]

ask at yer nearest gypsy site they will know

Ah thanks, now I feel so much better, I get it, from now on I'll be branded a Gypsy simply cos I want to tow a caravan with a tranny eh the cheek of it...but thats

[phil g]

no i mean it they will tell yer and the best thing is all the toerags in france and spain will leave you alone if they think your a gypo you'll scare em good luck mate

[jay]

You saying about that in france...I got pulled by cops a while back when towing my caravan with my old v6 tranny.they reakoned I looked dodgy traveller type!! mind you was going a bit quick!!did get waved at by another traveller once before..

[Terry]

The cost of a ferry crossing depends on when you go.
I usually use Seachance (Seafrance) they are usually the cheapest.
When we go its a racecar on the trailer, try and get night crossings because they are cheaper than day crossings, and avoid June/July/August
when the fares go through the roof (school holidays), they usually ask if the trailer is less/more than 6 and a half meters long (don't know why.. but we always say less !, they never check !) If you are a bit vague about return dates they do a single out and then you phone the office in (Dover ?) and book the return. They may also ask if you are going 'commercially' .... No you are not.....if you are you have to book at a different office & the fare soars upwards
Have been out with Norfolk Line (car only) who are cheapish but they are geared up for trucks. (Feb '05)
P & O you will find the fares about double the Seachance fare.
Haven't been through the tunnel with a trailer, just a car
and it was DEAR (but 3 or 4 years ago).
I use a Mk6 with a 90ps duratorque for towing and it's no problem at all.

[Terry]

I wouldn't worry about the caravanners in France, they are not the same as the 'pikeys' here they are migratory workers, they drive to various areas in France, at various times of the year, for fruit/grape picking work !
Don't forget about the cost of the toll roads in France the journey down with caravan is probably gonna come to £125.00 or thereabouts.
You could consider going down through Belgium, Luxembourg (both have very cheap fuel) Germany, Switzerland (remember van AND trailer need a vignette at about £20.00 each & its NOT E.E.C.) into Italy (more toll roads)a bit of France (roughly along the coast of the Med) then into Spain.

[phil g]

the caravaners workers are ok by toerags i mean the little shits who will try to break in your van while u sleep or even try to stop u on the road they pose as police/road workers /etc i have a long piece of black pipe that strangley looks like a gun barrel fastened to the b post just behind me ,just need to make sure they see it

[arcticdreamsibes]

when i went to france last year i went from portsmouth to le harve that woukd bring you further down france to get to spain the cost of a lwb htp tranny 18ft was the same as a car and that was with p&o leaving at 10pm and arriving about 7 am.

[Terry]

Chris ,
If you dont want to drive down, you can get a ferry Plymouth / Santander,
I believe it's Brittany Ferries do that route, never done it myself, less time on the boat the better for me !

[phil g]

the santander or bilbao routes dont save any money and its quicker to drive last time i came back from bilbao we were over 36 hours at sea which i dont mind but its not for everybody, portsmouth caen and down the n10 is my personal fave