Camper trailer for 3dr Grand Vitara?
Submitted: Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 at 10:29
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colinwen
My wife and I own a 2005 Grand Vitara 3dr (SQ420, 2.0 L4 engine).
As over students, we plan to travel around Australia to experience of this beautiful country.
The most easy and budget way to travel, we consider to tow a small camper trailer (wind-up) which equip the comfy and rapid way to live in.
We did not plan to travel some extreme off road track which our GV may not even handle, so most of the track maybe on road and half unseal/gravel/sandy track.
Although because the towing capacity of my 2.0 engine (750kg unbrake and 1700kg brake trailer), I should choose the as small one as possible.
After search around I found some Jayco swan, hawk are pretty fit my budget and request, of course the 2nd one instead of brand new one.
I wonder if any experienced 4WD can give me some advice about that, or other possible choose I can find in the market?
Very appreciate for other different idea (not to change a big car tho ^^)
Colin
Reply By: GHThommo - Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 at 13:12
Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 at 13:12
Colin,
We have a 2005 5dr vitara (2.7L, V6). Your problem is going to be the towball download capacity rather than the towing capacity of 750 or 1750kg of your vitara. Ours is 85kg which is very limiting and meant we went with a Cub camper trailer. I would have thought that fully laden Jaycos would have exceeded your towball download limit - it should be in their specs.
http://www.jayco.com.au/
The V6 fully laden easily tows the Cub Supamatic Regal (Transcontinental Pak).
http://www.cubcampers.com.au/.
Thommo
AnswerID:
401900
Follow Up By: colinwen - Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 at 13:43
Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 at 13:43
Thanks Thommo,
I got this GV second hand, and got the towball fitted in already.
I will
check the towball loading later.
The reason I prefer a close area is because I feel uncomfortable if there is fly around when I
cook.
I don't mind if I need to spend more time to setup the sleeping place, but I really need a fly-proof place to
cook.
Otherwise I will go crazy.
As I heard the outback and other remote area around Australia full with wild fly.
So if I can overcome this problem, then I will not start to travel.
FollowupID:
671335
Follow Up By: colinwen - Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 at 14:02
Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 at 14:02
Another stupid question is how to
check if the trailer fit my twoball capacity?
Because I search around and found the weight of cub camper trailer is similar to other wind-up camper trailer (Jayco swan/hawk; 700-850KG).
But they said nothing about how many towball loading they request.
I assume the gross weight of trailer is positive relation to towball loading, but where can I know the relation ratio?
Cheers
Colin
FollowupID:
671337
Reply By: colinwen - Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 at 14:44
Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 at 14:44
Check my vehicle information from www again.
Mine twoing capacity is 550kg unbraker trailer, 1500kg braked trailer.
Another other samll camper trailer suggestion?
AnswerID:
401914
Reply By: Member - Brad S (SA) - Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 at 20:28
Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 at 20:28
I stand to be corrected, but I thought the rule of thumb was the ball weight is 10% of the towed vehicle weight. I am mindful that rules of thumb are not regulations.
AnswerID:
401963
Follow Up By: colinwen - Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 at 21:16
Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 at 21:16
Thanks Brad,
Actually I just
check the on line brochure of Jayco.
According to that information, the towball weight is approx from 8% to 15% of tare weight, but most is around 10%.
Therefore, the 10% rule I think is pretty easy to estimate the towball request of every trailer.
However, this info is only survey from Jayco tho.
Colin
FollowupID:
671401
Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 at 21:36
Sunday, Jan 31, 2010 at 21:36
The only sure way is to load one up as you would when going on holiday and weigh it.
As for flies You better get used to them because they have the persistance of an alchoholic chasing a beer.
They are everywhere and only a sealed box will keep them out.
Even walking along they will fly in your mouth if you open it to speak.
They taste Ok if you swallow quick LOL.
Best $6 we spent on this trip was a fly veil at
Coober Pedy
Couldnt have done without it in a lot of
places.
AnswerID:
401976