British Travel Trailers

Tequila wrote:
Someone posted this video at the Lance owners Forum. I was in Britain a summer back and noticed sizable TT's being towed by ordinary cars. I wondered how they did it. Its interesting how these trailers are put together in a modular fashion which I imagine makes repair easier. They must also be very light weight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G7zBTYOA8s

Notice at the end how 2 guys are able to pull what appears to be about a 20 ft trailer.

They are able to do because you're only allowed to tow at a very low speed. Their tongue couplers have built in friction pads (that go on the ball itself) for sway control. They have super light tongue weights (that make sway bad but are light for inadequate CARS), and car makers don't have to worry about consumer protection laws like we have in the US.

We come out a head here in the US. BTW, have you seen the inside of those European TTs? They are super cramped, don't usually have bathrooms, don't usually have BOTH a sofa and dinette, and have very small dinettes. They aren't for well fed people in the states!

I'll take my truck and Jayco any day over their little cars and cramped TTs.

Contrary to popular belief in North America, passenger cars can do an excellent job towing a camping trailer. GVWR is a limiting factor, but within that capacity they can do a great job.

My 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan (I know, not a car, but still) actually has a higher passenger and cargo capacity than the truck does, perhaps not so suprising since it's designed to hold seven adults plus cargo.

pappcam wrote:
I believe they avoid putting weight on the tongue over there which I assume could create a harrowing journey once you pick up speed.

They also boil meat and eat black pudding so take that into account as well...:)

That black pudding is disgusting. My wife tried it, I gagged at the thought. And i was born in the UK.

A lot of the cars in the UK are diesels and manual transmissions so they tow better, but mostly slower.

They also have fish n chips, and an English, Irish, or Scottish breakfast is about the best way to start the day.

I believe they avoid putting weight on the tongue over there which I assume could create a harrowing journey once you pick up speed.

They also boil meat and eat black pudding so take that into account as well...:)

After living in the UK for three years they will pull anything with everything. During our time there we saw their version of the Ford Escort pulling a horse trailer with two horses in it. They are taxed by the size of their vehicle so they go as small as they can. The trailer runs the same tag as the tow vehicle so no additional fees (taxes) are applied.

Here's an interesting blog post. I don't know how accurate it is. You be the judge.

I like it, looks very strong using the cletes. I didn't see any wood in the new model, look like it's all foam and metal construction. (structure wise)