Beginner journey: Here’s how a frank conversation on towing payload at the dealership preceded decades of safe, comfortable and fun camping adventures – words and photos Alison Huth

Twenty years ago, I shocked my family. They simply couldn’t believe it when I said: “Let’s get a caravan.”

Why that was so shock worthy is that I had never been camping.

We had hired campervans and a motorhome and agreed they were not for us. Plus, I am a lover of comforts, and the standing joke in our family is that ‘Alison’s idea of roughing it is sleeping with the window open’.”

So, suggesting a caravan was completely out of character. But suggest it I did so we headed off to a local dealer to have a look. Peter and I had decided that a pop top looked the best for us, so that’s what we looked for and found. We were being looked after by Bill, he’d been around the industry for quite some time and had a reputation for being a very good salesman.

We could only agree, he was helpful, gave us the background on why the owners were selling their van etc. The deal was done, we loved it, so bought it.

The First “No”: Understanding Tow Vehicle Capacity

Bill looked at our car—we had an Escape at the time—and said he couldn’t let us take the van because that vehicle’s towing capacity wasn’t rated to tow our new-to-us van.

Well, I mean WOW. How many salesmen say that? But we were really grateful for towing payload advice, because we had not considered that at all. We chatted about the right vehicles to choose from and ended up getting a Prado. Nice car and it was the right car to tow our pop top.

Once we had the Prado, we contacted Bill, gave him the details and he hitched up our van and bought it to us. We didn’t have to go and get it, Bill came to us and gave us the full handover. We have never forgotten that NO.

Changing Needs and Caravan Comforts

We loved our pop top but going north in summer and south in winter for work didn’t work in a pop top. We either boiled or froze no matter how we tried to keep warm and cool. So we had changed to our second van, and we bought a Pajero to tow that one.

That was a lovely van, but it had one problem. I couldn’t work properly in it. Obviously, I spend a lot of time on my laptop, but I have taken the word LAP seriously. I cross my legs, put the laptop on top of my legs and tip tap away. It keeps my wrist pain free and my neck says thank you so much too.

Well, the seating in the van wasn’t the right height for my style of writing. So I had to put my legs up on the other seat and the table had to be folded away. I really did take over both sides of the café seating, and there was nowhere for Peter to sit, so he spent hours on my workdays on the bed! On a good day he was outside but on others he was on the bed.

The Second “No”: How Optional Extras Impact Your Caravan Payload

We made the decision to get another van, with some changes to suit us. The big change was armchairs. We spent a lot of time going round furniture sales places, I would plonk myself down into the armchairs, cross my legs and pretend to type. Eventually we found the perfect ones to use in our new van.

But, there was one additional thing about this new one which was that Peter had specified a maximum weight. We were hoping to keep towing with our faithful Pajero because they are a great car.

We’re in a van that was similar to the one we were ordering when Taz bought up the optional extras. I looked at the list and said “Oh I like that one, let’s have it.” Taz was very kind and gently said “No.” “You can’t have it, because it will affect your payload limits.”

This went on for a couple more things until I said “What can I have without putting us over the limit.” I was given two things, and took them. More towing payload advice, for this not-so beginner.

Finding the Right Tow Vehicle at Last

The Pajero did tow the van, but it didn’t like the hills all that much and as we live on a hill we decided to change our car too. We now have a Jeep that tows our third van like an expert!

### Our Key Takeaways for Safe Caravanning

Two NOs, both of them really important and we have been eternally happy to be on the receiving end of them. Our experience taught us that understanding your vehicle’s towing capacity and your caravan’s total payload (including extras!) are the most important parts of caravanning—whether you’re beginner or experienced hand. Don’t be afraid to ask dealers the hard questions—and be glad when they say “no” for the right reasons. It leads to safe and happy adventures.

Borgy talks Towball safety and leverage. Find more vehicle safety advice here!