Lightweight caravan options

It is unusual to mention a load distribution hitch, but that would be all I could think that would be relevant.

If you want my short answer, "You'd be mad".

Chances are you couldn't travel in it reasonably and keep your load to 390kg anyways.

Why do you want to do it? It would be false economy because the poor old 4 cyl would be chewing through the juice, overworked and unloved and would fail quickly.

Maybe something along the lines of a Cub Spacevan might be more suitable.

www.cubcampers.com.au

Hi garbage,

I owned a Viscount Nipper, many years ago. It weighed 590 kg tare, was 10ft 6 inch long and I believe it was most suitable to all 4cyl vehicles. They are not a new van but there is plenty around, if you like the style, in second hand yards. Ball weight of this van was only about 60 - 80 kg, easily lifted by one person at the front.

Most of your single axle vans will only have a load capacity of 300kg. That is quite a lot when it comes down to it, except if you plan to live in the van on the road for extended periods.

Your Liberty would make a great tow vehicle in my opinion, does it have air shocks/self levelling setup as some of the older ones did?

Regards, Trevor.

Hi Garbage,
If your Subaru Liberty is an auto, it may pay to have an oil cooler fitted to the transmission. The 2.5 Forester recommends this and a tow pack as well.
Back to your caravan question, there are a number of small locally manufactured lightweight vans around. Some of them may be a bit older than you want but there is nothing wrong with an older unit if it has been well maintained. (My van is a 1982 Viscount poptop which was one owner when I bought it and immaculately maintained--Guess I was lucky).
Again there are a couple of imported European vans,Giest is one of them, than are much lighter than the corresponding length locals, pricey though.

My suggestion is to look for a twin berth with a collapsing table in the dining area to make up the third bunk. They are out there but you will have to keep looking in every caravan yard you see

Make sure that you don't take the salesmans work for the nett weight of the van, or the numbers painted on the van itself. When you find a van that interests you get it weighed at a public weighbridge to ensyre that it's not too heavy. (Anything less than 750kg net should be OK for the Liberty but it will, as others have said, be working fairly hard when towing.

Hope this lengthy posting is of some assistance in your search.

Disco.