Car and Caravan Choices - European Road Trip

[lotuselan7]

Hi all. Just see. This section. Have posted below in general gassing but thought might get more views here.
As title says we are planning spending 6 months touring Europe in 2016 probably. As part of a year long round the world trip. 2 adults and 1 child who will be 4 this coming December. Now live in Australia but I am English (wife is Aussie) but want to see some of the world before im to old to enjoy it. Im 50 this year.

Decided that a caravan and car combo would be best option as we dont want to be upping stckis every few days / weeks also seems best financial option.

Re budget seem to be able to get decent Vans 2005 onwards for £5K, never owned a Caravan before so any advice appreciated. Car, I Im not sure which way to go, budget of say £7-8K can go bit higher to say £10k. Think 4 wheel drive would be best so rules out big Mercs and BMWs. Leave me with Audis (3.0 ltr Diesel) or SUVs thinking of everything from Landcruiser to Quashqai. Fuel economy important as expect to do at least 10,000 miles probably more and do like a bit of luxury.

So suggestions on a post card welcome.

[shovelheadrob]

Good luck, it will be an adventure. Ideally you will want a larger van with fixed bed, twin axles are nicer to tow but as we found out in France last year, you are not welcome at many sites. I think the rest of Europe is okay. Spend some time looking at different layouts to work out what's best for you, towcar wise it depends where you plan to go whether you will need 4wd but I always go for the most luxurious I can get for the budget, especially as you will be spending a lot of time in it.

[cammy33]

I had had an Audi A6 3.0Tdi Quattro for the last six years. It's tows 1700kgs with ease, really stable and economical.

[flatso]

shovelheadrob said:

Ideally you will want a larger van with fixed bed, twin axles are nicer to tow but as we found out in France last year, you are not welcome at many sites. I think the rest of Europe is okay.

Why exactly would you not be welcome? Are there caravan size restrictions?

[andburg]

Phaeton 3.0 tdi?

loads of toys, lots of towing capacity although finding one with a towbar could be hard

[Truckosaurus]

flatso said:

Why exactly would you not be welcome? Are there caravan size restrictions?

Large twin axle caravans are often associated with the type of person who lives in said caravan permanently.

[hornetrider]

cammy33 said:

I had had an Audi A6 3.0Tdi Quattro for the last six years. It's tows 1700kgs with ease, really stable and economical.

This is what you should get really, fills the brief perfectly. BMW X3 3.0D is another option. 4wd will sap a bit of fuel economy if you are towing big miles so unless you are offroading why not consider 2wd? Certainly opens up a good few options, E Class, 5 series etc.

[shovelheadrob]

Truckosaurus said:

flatso said:

Why exactly would you not be welcome? Are there caravan size restrictions?

Large twin axle caravans are often associated with the type of person who lives in said caravan permanently.

All the sites run by Camping Municipal (basically local authority sites) do not allow twin axle caravans, we were turned away last year despite having pre booked & after driving some 400 miles with the traditional shrug, we tried another site local to where we were, they were quite apologetic about the situation & suggested a privately run site a few miles away which was fine. You just need to check first. The other thing which I have heard is that you should keep ownership paperwork for your tow vehicle & caravan, along with proof of residence with you or the gendarmes may confiscate your caravan as they really have a problem with the travelling community.
The other thing we found with a twin axle is that the way a lot of the sites are set out makes it very tight with anything over about 5 metres, we had a 6.4 (7.5 overall) van last year & got away with it as we toured in September/October when it was quiet & plenty of choice on pitch availability, we'll be doing it again later this year but with a 5th wheel (just over 10 metres) bit of forward planning & it will be fine!

[flatso]

I would choose a van as a tow vehicle, something like a Vito/Viano or a VW T5.

[Rosscow]

I have a 2006 A6 Avant, 3.0TDI Quattro and tow a 2008 twin axle Ace Jubilee Equerry.

The caravan is around the 1700kg mark when loaded and the car pulls it with ease.

We get between 26mpg and 29mpg when towing.

You really want a car with self levelling rear suspension IMO.

Our Audi is an SE with a manual gear box, but luckily has the added extra of self levelling rear air suspension.