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Leisure Batteries

What does a Leisure Battery do?

Leisure batteries are needed for the running of your caravan or motorhomes 12v electrics. This includes internal lights, controlling mains appliances (although most appliances work with 240v hook up, they are normally controlled by a 12v controller), 12v sockets and Motormovers!

Do I need a Leisure Battery if I am plugged into mains electric?

Although modern caravans have 12v chargers in the caravans, the secondary function of a leisure battery, aside from powering appliances, is to correct any irregularities in the power supply, keeping you and your appliances safe. Almost all UK manufactures advise that you should have a battery in connected when a charger is on. If not this can burnout the charger and have a very negative effect on your caravan. 

Is there a difference between Car Batteries and a Leisure Battery?

Yes there is a very big difference between a car battery and a leisure battery as they both do very different jobs. A car battery is designed to provide a burst of energy to start the engine when required, whereas a leisure battery will release a lower level of energy over a prolonged period of time in order to power appliances. Think if you leave your lights on your car for half an hour to an hour, the battery would be dead. Not very practical for a caravan that uses so much 12v power.

What Size battery do I need?

Do use your caravan away from mains electric? Do you use a Motor-mover? are you always connected to mains electric? The size of battery you need really depends on how you use it.

Considering the increased number of electronic gadgets and improved technology used in all aspects of our lives nowadays, the National Caravan Council (NCC) has introduced a Verified Leisure Battery Scheme to give caravan and motorhome owners peace of mind when purchasing a new leisure battery.

The NCC categories batteries into 3 Classes

Class A batteries

Category A is for batteries with a higher storage capacity for people who frequently use their touring caravan or motorhome away from an electrical hook-up:

If you are using your caravan for rallying and do not use an electric hook up, a Class-A battery is the battery for you. This is110amp and above. Although a lot of people needing this sort of battery, will get a solar panel fitted.

 

Leisure Battery Class B

 

Category B batteries are aimed at those who frequently use sites with hook-up facilities, but require a greater battery capacity to operate devices such as motor movers:

If you use your caravan on sites but sometimes on a site without electric for a night or have a motor mover that is used, a Class-B battery will do the job for you. This is normally 90amp to 110amp.

Leisure Battery Class C

Category C batteries are for users that require a lower capacity battery to cover basic operation of their habitation equipment for short periods away from an electrical hook-up:

So in short, if you are using your caravan on a seasonal pitch or always use mains electric and do not have a motor mover, a Class-C battery will be fine. This is normally 75amp to 86amp

 

 

How to tell if a battery is NCC approved?

You cannot simply judge a battery by its name, as all manufacturers make a range of batteries of different capacity, durability and price to suit myriad applications. Manufacturers of verified batteries are entitled and encouraged to display the NCC classification on them at the point of sale.

What batteries do we sell at Burlingham Caravans?

Burlinghams stock Numax batteries from 75amp to 105amp and can order larger sizes! All Numax Class-B batteries come with a 3 year guarantee and Numax Class-C come with 2 years!   

Ask in-store if you are unsure what battery you need!

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Caravanning this winter!

Winter Caravanning

Winter caravanning

Excellent insulation and modern heating systems mean that caravanning is a year-round activity, with many sites as busy at Christmas and New Year as they are in mid-summer. Check out these handy tips to stay comfortable on site, no matter what the temperature is outside.

Many caravan sites have extended their opening season or remain open all year round, where you can enjoy heated toilet/shower blocks, laundry rooms, mains electric hook ups and often hardstanding pitches.

With the right preparation, caravanning can be enjoyed all year round, and there is something quite special about the silence of a snow-covered Certificated Location when snug inside a caravan!

Which gas should I use?

Butane is ineffective as temperatures fall to around freezing (0*C) so the winter caravanner should switch to propane. Most modern appliances work equally well on butane or propane, so all that is required is a change of regulator. Some equipment with high off-take rates, like central heating systems, will only work effectively on propane. If it is more convenient, propane can be used all year round – there is no need to switch back to butane for the summer.

Fresh water

In below-zero conditions, your outside water container may well partially freeze over so you will need a second container inside the caravan you can transfer your water pump to.

Many caravans now incorporate on-board water tanks – or have the capacity to have them retro-fitted – so check your handbook to see if this applies to your model.

There are currently no ‘anti-freeze’ additives on the market that are recommended for use in fresh water supplies.

Waste water

To prevent freezing of the waste tanks or toilet, add car-type anti-freeze. Propylene glycol is most suitable, being less toxic, but it can be difficult to find.

Heating

Most caravans now have balanced flue space heaters, which should be safe to leave on all night. However, there is a very small risk of wind-blown rubbish or snow blocking the flue and creating problems and so we don’t recommend you use these.

LPG heaters without flues must not be left on if all the occupants are sleeping (day or night). If hooking-up to mains, a thermostatically controlled fan heater (1 kW max. is should prevent the interior temperature falling below a certain level.

An increasing number of caravans now have central heating systems, which for prolonged winter caravanning, are ideal. Most systems can be added to a caravan but must be professionally installed for safety.

Water heaters are unlikely to freeze whilst the caravan is occupied, but for travelling in near zero conditions and if the caravan is left unoccupied for any length of time, it must be drained down to prevent frost damage.

Which towcar?

For regular winter caravanners, a four-wheel drive car or all-terrain vehicle is well worth considering. Mud and Snow tyres often improve traction and can be used all year round. For very slippery sites, snow chains might be needed. For more advice, consult our guide on buying a towcar.

Top 10 winter caravanning tips

  1. A porch awning is invaluable for storing wellington boots and hanging waterproofs up to dry, but if you intend to stay on hardstanding pitches, or even frozen ones, you may not be able to peg out. Extra strong steel pegs are advised.
  2. If snow is on the ground, regularly lift and shake the mains cable or it will become permanently embedded.
  3. Regularly clear any drifting snow from underneath the caravan, to ensure air vents and appliance flues are kept free.
  4. Despite the temptation to block off permanent vents – do not do it, it could be dangerous. Try to site the caravan so that fridge vents are away from the prevailing wind.
  5. Good quality sleeping bags or a high-tog quilt are advisable and avoid the need to have a heater on all night.
  6. As water freezes from the top down, insulate your water container with a ‘hat’ and lag the water pipe with foam pipe.
  7. Condensation can be a problem in winter, so moisture-absorbing crystals (available from DIY stores) are useful or even consider a portable dehumidifier.
  8. Continental caravans generally have excellent standards of insulation and refinements like underfloor heating that make them ideally suited to winter caravanning.
  9. With extra appliances in use, ensure adequate fire safety equipment is carried on board – see our leaflet on the subject.
  10. Keep moving parts on the caravan, like steadies, jockey wheel and handbrake well-oiled to prevent seizing. If temperatures are likely to fall below zero, make sure the caravan is on the level and securely chocked and leave the handbrake off – otherwise the brakes might seize on.

(article courtesy of the Caravan Club)

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Understanding Towing Weights

1. Caravan weight to car kerb weight ratio

A driver with extensive towing experience can tow a caravan of up to 100% of the kerb weight of the tow car. Ideally the ratio of below MTPLM to Tow Car Kerb Weight of less than 85% should still be maintained. A ratio of MTPLM to Tow Car Kerb Weight of greater than 100% is not recommended even if the car manufacturer states a higher limit in their data. This is not a legal limitation but guidance based upon industry experience and a driver may legally tow a trailer up to the limit stated by the tow car manufactuter.

A driver with little or no towing experience should limit the MTPLM to Tow Car Kerb Weight ratio to less than 85%. This is not a legal limitation but guidance based upon industry experience. Any such result is highlighted in red in the summary table above. Please note: In some circumstances it is possible for the caravan manufacturer to reduce the MTPLM of the caravan to allow for a greater choice of tow car. This will have a direct effect on the user payload.

2. Gross Train Weight

The gross train weight is the sum of the gross vehicle weight of the tow car and the MTPLM of the caravan. For drivers that passed their driving test after 1st January 1997 this must not exceed 3500Kg unless they have passed an additional test to gain a category B+E endorsement on their licence.

3. Noseweights

The caravan nose weight is the downwards force on the car’s towball and it varies depending upon how the caravan is loaded.

The results given in the summary table are:

The ratio of 5% MTPLM to Tow Car Maximum Tow Bar Load

For stable towing the caravan’s nose weight should ideally be around 7% of its MTPLM however it is acceptable for it to be little higher and it may drop as low as 5%. In all cases the following limits must not be exceeded:

The car manufacturers’ maximum tow bar load
The caravan coupling hitch limit (usually stamped on the hitch) The tow bar manufacturers’ limit

4. MTPLM to Gross Trailer Weight Braked:

This is the ratio of the MTPLM to the Gross Trailer Weight Braked, expressed as a percentage. It is illegal to tow a caravan where this ratio is greater than 100%. It is good practice to leave some weight in reserve if possible, hence any value of between 85% and 100% is highlighted as a caution.

5. Definitions: Car

Kerb weight

Car manufacturers’ definitions vary but in general terms it is the weight of the car in working order (with fuel and fluids) but without any occupants or luggage

Gross vehicle weight

The maximum allowable weight of the car when fully loaded. When towing, this will include the noseweight of the caravan.

Towing load limit

The maximum weight of a braked trailer that the car is allowed to tow.

Certain car manufacturers specify a range of maximum towing limits for certain models. This may depend on the number of passengers. This may mean that the actual maximum towing limit for your actual car is less than that shown above in some operating conditions. It’s important that the towing capacity figure that should be used for your car is that which is stamped on the Vehicle Identification Number Plate, (VIN Plate).

Noseweight limit

The maximum weight (down force) that may be exerted on the towball when a towbar is fitted.

Caravan

MTPLM

Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass – This is the maximum weight the caravan can be loaded to and legally be taken on the road.

MRO

Mass in Running Order – From 2011 this is the weight of the caravan as it leaves the factory plus an allowance for gas, water, fluids and the electric hook up cable. Prior to 2011 some or all of these items may not have been included.

Mass of Optional Equipment

The fitting of after-market options will reduce the payload available for other items – e.g. a mover by approx. 35kg (70kg where two are fitted on a twin axle caravan)

The driver must ensure that: The car’s Gross Vehicle Weight is not exceeded, the caravan’s MTPLM is not exceeded, the combined actual laden weight of the car and caravan does not exceed the car’s Gross Train Weight.

User Payload

The total weight allowable for after-market optional equipment and for users personal effects. This is usually the difference between the MTPLM and the MRO.

Noseweight

The down force exerted by the caravan on the towball of the car.

6. Limitations:

If the caravan body length exceeds 7m long then it can only be towed by a towing vehicle with a gross weight greater than 3,500 kg. This excludes all cars and light vans.

Disclaimer

The data on which this advice is based is obtained from manufacturers’ published data and credible industry data suppliers and is based on UK models only with standard specification with no extra equipment fitted. While every reasonable precaution has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the data, the National Caravan Council Ltd cannot accept any responsibility for the consequences of any errors or omissions which may occur.

The information supplied herewith is provided and intended as a guide only. The only towing capacity figure/Gross Train Weight figure that should be used for your car is that which is stamped on the Vehicle Identification Number Plate, VIN Plate. The VIN plate can usually be found under the bonnet or on a door pillar and details of the location will be in the owner’s handbook. The plate will be either an alloy plate riveted to the body or a sticker. The VIN plate will display either 3 or 4 sets of weights. It is these weights that the authorities (Police) use to determine whether your vehicle is over-laden.

Note: Certain performance, hybrid and city-car models or similar variants of standard models are not homologated to tow, this means that the vehicle manufacturer has deemed that the model is unsuitable for use as a tow vehicle. With this type of vehicle the towing capacity will equate to zero or a gross train weight will not be displayed or will be the same as the Gross Vehicle Weight.

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Do I need a special licence to tow a caravan?

Do I need a special licence to tow a caravan?

It’s vital to understand the limitations of your driving licence before heading out to tow a caravan – let alone buy one.

The first thing you need to do is check when you passed your driving test. If it was before 1 January 1997 you will automatically be able to drive a heavier car and caravan combination than if you passed after that date.

Have you passed your test since 1 January 1997?

Driving Licence1v2

The standard driving licence issued to a driver passing his or her test today covers categories B and B1. This means you can drive a vehicle up to 3,500kg (B) and tow a trailer up to 750kg behind it.

If you have a lighter car, you can then tow a heavier caravan, but the combined weight of the whole outfit cannot be more than 3,500kg. And don’t forget, it’s the official Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of the caravan that’s considered here – regardless how much luggage you put inside. To complicate matters further, the MPTLM of your caravan in this instance must also be lighter than the unladen weight of your car.

If you want to drive a larger outfit, you will need to pass an additional driving test to add the B+E category to your licence. This is a challenging test and most people will want to have some professional tuition before attempting it. The Caravan Club runs courses to help you reach the required standard, or you can find out more about local training organisations through the Driving Standards Agency.

… or did you take it before?

Driving Licence2If you passed your test before 1 January 1997 you will automatically have the B+E category entitlement on your licence, allowing you to drive car and caravan combinations up to 8,250kg, covering most conventional outfits.

Your driving licence will show the categories you are entitled to drive. If you have the older-style paper licence they are clearly listed on the front of your licence. On newer two-part licences, they are given on the back of the pink photocard.

….and finally

Once you’ve checked your driving licence, you’ll need to make sure your car and caravan combination is a good one. That’s the best way to ensure a comfortable and stable outfit on the road.

And don’t forget to load your caravan well – or all this careful matching will be in vain!

Credit. www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/