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A Towing Question
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Bonxiebong



Joined: 03 Sep 2008
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:51 pm    Post subject: A Towing Question Reply with quote

Hello Again!
Wondered if anyone could tell us if a 1966 Humber Sceptre which i think is a 1.6 is able to tow a 1962 Thomson Glenelg without much trouble.
At the moment we have a 1.8 Vauxhall Vectra which we have been told by the Caravan Club should pull the Thomson with no trouble, but we should love to have a classic car to pull our newly aquired classic caravan.
We are new to all this so any info would be greatly received. Rolling Eyes
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Brian M



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 783
Location: Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

PostPosted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are two issues to be considered:

Firstly the actual laden weight of the caravan should not exceed 85% of the laden weight of the car. Your Thompson should have a plate somewhere giving the unladen weight and the maximum laden weight, and I am sure you could find the equivalents for a Sceptre. Your actual figure will be somewhere in between depending on how much extra you carry - clothes, food, water, deck chairs, awning, spare wheel, etc. often moving some of these items into the car will help with the balancing figure.

Secondly the weight on the tow ball should be between 60 and 80 kg. You can calculate this accurately using a bit of wood and a pair of bathroom scales, when you have loaded the caravan.
Put the wood in the ball hitch and rest it on the scales, raise the jockey wheel until the weight is just taken by the wood, but have the jockey wheel only just off the ground.

If it is too high try moving heavier items further back in the caravan.

I would think that your Vectra is heavier than a Sceptre and may have a shorter rear overhang and so would tow your caravan better.
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Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk
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Bonxiebong



Joined: 03 Sep 2008
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:23 am    Post subject: Regarding Towing Question Reply with quote

Thanks for the reply,
It all seems clearer now but unfortunately the caravan is going to be in storage for a few more weeks so we cannot get to it to check the plate.
So if any one knows the laden and unladen weight of a Thomson Glenelg we would be very grateful.
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gillberry



Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 702
Location: Norwich

PostPosted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

one big question is the Sceptre automatic? we have a 1966 Sceptre 1725 and a 1969 cheltenham fawn 500 weight but the sceptre stuggles with it, we even had a oil cooler fitted to the gear box. When the caravan is fully loaded it weighs 750 (took it over a weigh bridge) we know she will not cope so the great idea of having a caravan nearly the same as as the car did not work, so now we tow the caravan with the every day cars or the SD1,


so next year after the fawn has had her respray we will cheat take it there with a modern one park the sceptre near it and hide the other car Wink

or i could try and talk the other half to get rid of his rover and we could have a bigger humber Wink
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Bonxiebong



Joined: 03 Sep 2008
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Crying or Very sad I am afraid its been sorted the Sceptre has been sold! so we have decided to look for something else, We always had a Rover 90 when I was a kid and I think that would have enough strength behind it for towing the Thomson.
Love the above photos, could I ask how you go about getting a respray for a caravan, would you go to a normal car garage or a specialist and how do you find the exact colour?
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gillberry



Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 702
Location: Norwich

PostPosted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

you sold that quick, we were going to respray/paint it ourselves but we had to have the original fridge repaired and found a little local man and he offered to do it for us during the winter between jobs, so just have to arrange when it goes in and hopefully we wont reconise it when it comes back, she badly needs a coat of paint, have managed to get all the chrome for the side and chrome handles so now it will be watch this space- hopefully he will still do it Smile
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Bonxiebong



Joined: 03 Sep 2008
Posts: 7

PostPosted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Make sure you post some pics after the jobs done, I should love to see it Very Happy
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Uncle Joe
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I found this topic interesting to say the least, when I start to draw parallels with the rules here. We have very strict towing laws, which are also rather stupid. My little Googomobil, 650kg and 30bhp is legally allowed to pull 750kg's. My Lincoln, 365bhp and 2500kg's only 600kg's...doesnt even matter if I have an HGV or not....

Comments anyone?
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Brian M



Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 783
Location: Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

UJ

You have to explain the towing weight rules - as they do seem a bit silly!
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Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk
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Uncle Joe
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The max. towing weight is stated on the registration document of every vehicle. Quite how this is calculated, nobody seems to know..... Shocked

I even had a look on the website of the relevant authority, no info there either!
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T-line H&I



Joined: 18 Sep 2008
Posts: 36
Location: West Lothian

PostPosted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Bonxiebong, The info I have points to the Glenelg not being introduced till 1964, prior to that the only GE was the Gleneagle. I only have the weights for the 70's Glenelg which where 663kg Delivered weight with a max of 850kg. Feel free to send me pics etc and i will gladly add your van and its ibfo to the thomson-caravans.co.uk website.

Cheers

Graham
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http://www.thomson-caravans.co.uk
Thomson Caravans History and Information

Graham P Thompson
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T-line H&I



Joined: 18 Sep 2008
Posts: 36
Location: West Lothian

PostPosted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi again, just received word that I will be recieving an original copy of the 1963 'The Caravan' shortly which has a road test of the New Glenelg, this would tie in with the 1964 introduction as Thomsons started manufacturing the following years van around Sep/Oct of the year they were launched, pretty much in the same way as it is with todays caravans.

Once I get it I will happily send you a copy.

Cheers

Graham
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Thomson Caravans History and Information

Graham P Thompson
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