Rising popularity of Campers

Press, 4 August 1977, Page 10

Rising popularity of Campers

(Continued from P. 9) The Hardtop has a moulded fibreglass top and a boat carrying rack, which fits on top as a factory extra, enables a small dinghy to be carried on top. ( arrival at the camp site, this camper can be erected simply by anyone in a mailer of minutes a d turns out to be almost as spacious as many caravans. The Sprite Hardtop is a sophisticated unit and was developed by Caravans International in their South African Division. It re' s in Christchurch registered and on the road for $lB2l.

The present popularity of campers has been brought about by two factors. In recent years, due part to inflation and partly to the increased specifications of deluxe caravans, the cost of these units has become considerable, making it difficult for the young family man to afford if be does not wish to buy a used caravan and work his way up.

He probably only has a small car with limited capacities so. by availing himself of hire purchase facilities, need only find one-quarter deposit $479 and 562, including insurance, per month, and he can enjoy an economic family holiday.

The other market for the camper seems to be the couple whose family has grown up and, with an eye to retirement, they l-.ve disposed of a large family car and have only a small four-cylinder car. Dad loves fishing and Mum likes to get away at w lek-ends in the summer.

' iey thought their caravaning days were over but. thanks to the camper trailer, they certainly are not.

There are several differ- « . types of brakes fitted to caravans manufactured in New Zealand. In fact, there are some small caravans with no brakes fitted at all and a prospective buyer has to weigh the differences a-etully.

Caravan manufacturers use drum type brakes, cable operated disc brakes and the most sophisticed, hydraulic disc brakes. Although the later are more expensive, their efficiency is in world class and, if properly used and maintained, should never give trouble.

Remember. using a small light car and towing a caravan equal in weight to the laden car, one cannot expect the same towing efficiency from the car brakes.

For this reason, brakes fitted io the caravan are designed to stop the caravan weight so that the car brakes and braking judgment is substantially unaltered.

Usually, a small 10ft to 12ft caravan is towed by a small light car and often a narrow car. Caravans of these sizes are made in three widths — 6ft 7in, 7ft and 7ft lOin.

For the sake of peace of mind of the driver, the width of the caravan should not exceed the width of the car too much.

Some drivers accept much less than desirable comfortable and safe towing and there is absolutely no need for this sacrifice. Before setting out on a holiday, the driver should ensure that the tw-o-ing vehicle is in top mechanical condition with particular reference to radiator, steering, clutch, brakes and caravan wiring (flashing direction lights), stop lights and do not forget caravan refrigeration, electrical warrant and road warrant.

The rear tyres on the car should be increased in pressure by at least 21b, usually up to 301 b (even with radials). The caravan tyres should all be 351 b and their condition should be checked for perishing. A caravan is designed to travel level and, for this to be possible, it may be necessary to adjust the ball height of the car.

Should the car have the problem of “duck’s disease,” there are many different types of booster springs, helper springs, load levellers and air

shocks that will rectify that problem.

With a station waggon or a car with a soft back end, some of these boosters will enhance the riding of the vehicle whether it is being towed or not. The loading of the caravan is important also and the caravan should never be loaded with any concentrarion of weight in the rear, as this acts as a pendumm. Any large weight, such as an awning, should either be cancelled out in the centre over the axle or placed to the front to aid the ball weight, which should be between 1001 b and 2001 b.

If, after following the above course, you still get weaving or feel unhappy with the feel of the rig, you are going to be involved in the purchase of stabilisers.

Once again, seek out a set that are well made and have a reputable brand that do not have to be welded on.

Quality definitely pays off in this case. There are a number of types available and some of the new types just coming on the market have an additional anti-sway device. The basic function of the stabiliser is to transfer a third of the ball weight back onto the caravan wheels and a third onto the front wheels of the car, thus firming up the car’s steering and return-

in ght ecorrect camber to the front suspension and lowering the front headlights to avoid dazzling oncoming motorists. During the last three or four years there have been outstanding developments in the awning field.

At one time, caravan awnings used to be made by the local saddler or canvas worker — sometimes they fitted quite well ami sometimes they did not.

Nowaday's, awning manufacture is a specialised business and the materials used are of various blendings of Teryiene, cotton and sometimes nylon to give a strong, light weight and only marginally absorbent fabric with very small shrinkage problems.

The design improvement is outstanding with large see-through plastic windows, with curtains inside quite common, as are windows with mosquito netring which allow ventilation.

Much of the design and colour appeal of today’s awnings have evolved from the continental tent and are available in roped, ropeless and frame type awnings.

A good deal of the flair and imagination has been made possible by the rugged nylon type zip fastener enabling zipped windows and doors to be used and sealed without effort.

The law requires that the towing car has a side extended rear vision mirror and there are many different types available. Some mount onto the car door, others onto the front right hand mudguard of the car. There is also another type called the “through view” which clips onto the bonnet lid and enables the driver to see right down both sides of the caravan.

If you are travelling with a group of caravans, do not travel in close convoy. Allow room for faster moving traffic to overtake in safety. If you are travelling through country that is not conducive to safe overtaking, when you get the opportunity pull over and let other cars past. Remember the days when you cursed the caravan for hogging the road and remember the speed limit for towing a caravan is 65 km per hour. The success or failure of a caravan holiday is often determined by these little extras — like a safe step at the door, cup racks and plate racks to facilitate easy and tidy storage, fly screens for the vent and maybe one or two windows, a spirit level for levelling up and a fire extinguisher. With plans to camp off the beaten track, do not forget a container for carrying fresh water, a clothes line and a portable chemical toilet.

Christchurch’s larger retailers have a large range of accessories with thousands of items for the caravan and camping enthusiast