What size & weight caravan for 4x2 2.7 Totota litre Hilux?

Carben,

I have a Coramal Seka. 17foot, Single axle. It weighs 1040kg's Dry. Add some water, food, clothes and stuff and that would still be under your 1800kg. Most early nighties aluminum framed vans would suit your criteria. Cant help with the ensuite as we dont have one.
Matt

Search the Web, I know Jayco have the weights of all their models on their web page.

It would be great if forums could solve all the mysteries of life.

Sometimes a bit of personal time and effort could reap you many more rewards and answers.

I suggest you take your vehicle and tow specs and visit a few caravan dealers, kick a few tyres and see what is out there to suit yoiur vehicle's capacity, your lifestyle and budget.

Then go away and troll trough the caravan sale websites, newspapers and see if you can find a van to suit.

There are so many brands, models, layouts..how long is a piece of string question don't you think.

Only YOU can and should solve this mystery.

I can only suggest the
lighter the better. The 2.7 donk is not noted for being frugal, &
this will be even more obvious when towing. Small vans dont
usually have shower & toilet but I guess they do exist. While I
dont agree with Wizard 1 attitude to your post, he is partly right
in that you will need to research this a bit. I hope others may be more able to offer good advice........oldbaz.

Jayco do a one ended Expanda with a Shower and Toilet.

That is probably about the lightest thing you will get with the S&T.

Hava a look at Jayco.com.au, it has all floorplans, specs etc.

Cheers,

Jim from Best Off Road.

Hi there.
It is most important that you check the towing vehicle's max allowed towing mass. There's no reason why you can take the towbar stamped max mass and ball weight as the Toyota figure for the ute itself. The allowed figure is the lowest of (a) the vehicle manufacturer's permitted towing mass, (b) the rating of the towbar, and (c) any statutory limit (eg State laws).
Many people believe it is important to keep the van mass below the towing vehicle mass, and it is also relevant to decide if you intend to fit a weight stabilisation hitch, because, if you don't, you may find even a relatively light van a bit of a handful.
These days, light single axle van means 'old' unless you are buying 15 ft or less (We have a 17ft Coromal poptop 1989 build that has a tare of 1000 kg and a gross of 1400 kg) nothing likethat these days!
Does this help?
Chris (SA)

Once you do decide still be carefull with what you load into the van.

We Have a Mazda Bravo and carry the annex on the truck. I use cliplock bags for stoirage not plastic containers . We don't carry water but rather 20 litre drums again on the back of the truck.
We only carry a few plates,cups & glasses and have a pack of paper/plastic. Very little goes in the van.

Hi All I am amazed at the quick replies and information freely given, my budget is $14000 for a light weight shower van suitable for a couple. Hopefully we will find something suitable I am not in a hurry. Will rent a van first and see how we go and will follow up/note all advise given The other way I could go would be to buy a 1980ts 17-18 ft caravan for e few thousand and built a shower and toilet in to it. I am a handyman. Is there any one that has done that? if so how much did that cost, make model of parts used, and was it succesfull and worthwhile financially?
If any knows of a hold of a light weight shower van for sale please do let me know.
Thank you all.

Hi Carben.

Another option is to buy a van of about 16 ft without shower and toilet and then buy a shower tent and portable toilet.

This could be a good option if bush camping but if you intend staying in van parks then ignore my post.

Carben,

Not sure how old your Hilux is but the website specifies that the towing capacity is 2250kg.

If your Hilux is current model then you can get Hayman Reese to put in a towbar rated to the vehicle capacity. Not sure why it has an underrated towbar in the first place. Was it put in by Toyota??? If so, I would have a chat to the dealer and ask the question of them.