Does anyone know if you can 'legally' tow a Hobby 635 caravan in the UK with anything other than a T3.5 commercial vehicle?
Or to put it another way, will I feel the long arm of the law towing a van that big with a D4? Front Runner Rack, OEM Ladder & RAI, Tuff-Trek Foxwing, B'rakhah Ingonyama Expedition Trailer, RLD's Spare Wheel Protector, Bodsy's Bars, Empty Pockets! Member of Gloucestershire & Worcestershire 4x4 Response.
I probably meant heavy hand of the law but hey ho!
A few dimensions may also help with an answer:
Total length including drawbar...........................................801cms
Length of body with/without gas locker.............................683/624cms
Internal length with/without window sill............................653/618cms
Total width/ internal width.................................................250/237cms
Total height/internal height................................................253/192cms
Maximum technical laden mass..........................................1900kgs
Unladen weigth ( according to C.U.R )...............................1470kgs
Basic equipment................................................................117kgs
Mass in ready to drive condition........................................1587kgs
Payload..............................................................................313kgsFront Runner Rack, OEM Ladder & RAI, Tuff-Trek Foxwing, B'rakhah Ingonyama Expedition Trailer, RLD's Spare Wheel Protector, Bodsy's Bars, Empty Pockets! Member of Gloucestershire & Worcestershire 4x4 Response.
24th Apr 2014 12:43 pm
will247
Member Since: 05 Jan 2013
Location: York
Posts: 709
My boss tows his 'gypsy castle' behind his FFRR and has never had any problems... That obviously doesn't mean it is legal but he hasn't been caught yet!26 and on the 4th LR..
Series 2a 1963 88'' 2.25 Derv as original with Galv chassis
Disco 1 1996 V8 on LPG (sold now)
Disco 3 2005 TDV6 S (sold now)
Disco 4 MY15 XS Commercial
Mods:
Original Beanie Narpy Grill, Black lettering, De-Tango'ed, Side steps, Hids LEDs upgrade, Halo DRL, Smoked side repeaters, D4 Bluetooth upgrade, Flacks magic with the fault mate, Upgraded D4 compressor, ERG's blanked, Tints, D4 rear lights, Short rails & cross bars, LR Ladder. Reversing camera (needs activating!!)
24th Apr 2014 12:50 pm
jimbojay
Member Since: 01 Dec 2008
Location: Wet & Windy West Coast (Ayrshire)
Posts: 157
Someone was towing one with an Audi A5 in the Cairngorms last week!!!
Unfortunately it doesn't go back to 2002 but using a 2103 650 as a guide I shouldn't have nay problems.Front Runner Rack, OEM Ladder & RAI, Tuff-Trek Foxwing, B'rakhah Ingonyama Expedition Trailer, RLD's Spare Wheel Protector, Bodsy's Bars, Empty Pockets! Member of Gloucestershire & Worcestershire 4x4 Response.
I've a 27ft twin with an MIRO of 1340kg and mover fitted. the Disco has no issues at all Mark
Remember its only an obsession....
Mods:
Original Beanie Narpy Grill, Black lettering, De-Tango'ed, Side steps, Hids LEDs upgrade, Halo DRL, Smoked side repeaters, D4 Bluetooth upgrade, Flacks magic with the fault mate, Upgraded D4 compressor, ERG's blanked, Tints, D4 rear lights, Short rails & cross bars, LR Ladder. Reversing camera (needs activating!!)
24th Apr 2014 2:15 pm
nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1359
The simple answer is yes you can. As the body length does not exceed 7m, and the width does not exceed 2.5m then it is now perfectly legal to tow with a car (providing it falls within its weight limits). It certainly fits the criteria to be towed with a D4. When calculating the length, the A-frame (or means of attachment) are not counted.
Your only issue might be getting insurance for the caravan as most UK companies won't touch them.
24th Apr 2014 3:56 pm
highbayrack
Member Since: 09 Jul 2008
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 2776
I will stand corrected, but I'm sure that I heard that the max 2.5m max had been lifted Or I should have said increased so that it takes in the wider bodied Euro caravans like some Hobby's and TEC's ectOn a mission to find the perfect Pork Pie. Just Found it (I think)..(Yes I have)
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Thx Nigel. I guess the insurance problem with a Hobby is that everyone wants one, but not everyone is willing to pay for them Front Runner Rack, OEM Ladder & RAI, Tuff-Trek Foxwing, B'rakhah Ingonyama Expedition Trailer, RLD's Spare Wheel Protector, Bodsy's Bars, Empty Pockets! Member of Gloucestershire & Worcestershire 4x4 Response.
24th Apr 2014 4:25 pm
Grunders
Member Since: 30 Apr 2011
Location: Manchester
Posts: 2334
nigel207 wrote:
Your only issue might be getting insurance for the caravan as most UK companies won't touch them.
I've had 2 Hobby caravans and never had a problem with insurance....If it ain't broke... Take it apart anyway, how else you gonna find out how it works
24th Apr 2014 4:26 pm
Swiss-LR
Member Since: 08 Jan 2013
Location: In the middle
Posts: 55
Even nearly everything in the EU is (over)regulated, trailer dimensions are note
I use this site to check, if I have to expect problems towing our boat. It's in German, but I think the values in the chart speak for themselves.
If you drive a transit you can tow what you want Mark
Remember its only an obsession....
Mods:
Original Beanie Narpy Grill, Black lettering, De-Tango'ed, Side steps, Hids LEDs upgrade, Halo DRL, Smoked side repeaters, D4 Bluetooth upgrade, Flacks magic with the fault mate, Upgraded D4 compressor, ERG's blanked, Tints, D4 rear lights, Short rails & cross bars, LR Ladder. Reversing camera (needs activating!!)
24th Apr 2014 10:33 pm
eenomc
Member Since: 07 Oct 2013
Location: Moray
Posts: 173
jimbojay wrote:
Someone was towing one with an Audi A5 in the Cairngorms last week!!!
Saw that too and had to wonder were you at Glenmore too?
Think as long as body length is less than 7m you're fine with a non commercial.
25th Apr 2014 4:37 pm
nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1359
The maximum width was increased from 2.3m to 2.55m a couple of years ago. However, I tested an early Adria Astella (towing with a D3) and even with extension mirrors it was difficult to see down the sides. Since then Milenco have introduced longer arms. The other issue was towing it along narrow country lanes (often the type you need to use to get to sites), when the extra width did show. I have driven both artics and large coaches, so size of vehicle doesn't bother me, but.........
If you can, I would suggest that if you are intending to tow a caravan of that size, consider where you're going to be towing and how often, and also see if you can tow one to see if it suits you. All that glitters isn't gold!
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Or I should have said increased so that it takes in the wider bodied Euro caravans like some Hobby's and TEC's ect
