Cycle Caravans

[hamster]

FWIW I also think that weight is excessive.
I'm a fan of the Colin Chapman mantra...

"Add lightness".

IN full his quote was 'simplicate and add lightness'

A towed caravan is not simplicating!!!

[jimlews]

I'm still trying to understand what is the problem that this solves.

Don't like tents? Fair enough, stay in hotels / B&Bs / YHA etc.

I suspect there is no intention to "solve a problem".

Rather ask:

Is it fun ?

If the answer is 'yes' then that is problem solved.

I'm stuggling to find where the fun is in towing a highsided trailer weighing even half the weight of the 74kg of the one in the OP,the comfort of the "caravan" is grossly outweighed by the drudge of dragging it behind all day.
Perhaps I'm just too sensible or just lacking a sense of humour

You are not lacking a sense of humour, as evidenced by your 42,841 previous posts
(I've not read them all, so there may be one or two 'grumps' in there)

But fun is a funny old thing and quite clearly subjective.

Some people climb icy mountains, hanging from a slender thread above the void, not my idea of fun.
But they seem to enjoy it so it must be fun. At least they keep going back to do do it again.

Early bicycles were heavy cast iron contraptions; many would say that they couldn't be any fun to ride. They are.
And from them the modern bicycle evolved. We wouldn't have the charms of the modern bicycle if everybody back then
had said 'Oh! They're too heavy - just forget the whole idea!'.
You seem to be condemning these DIY creations just because there are things about them that could/should be improved.

[jimlews]

FWIW I also think that weight is excessive.
I'm a fan of the Colin Chapman mantra...

"Add lightness".

IN full his quote was 'simplicate and add lightness'

A towed caravan is not simplicating!!!

I stand corrected

[reohn2]

You are not lacking a sense of humour, as evidenced by your 42,841 previous posts
(I've not read them all, so there may be one or two 'grumps' in there)

But fun is a funny old thing and quite clearly subjective.

Some people climb icy mountains, hanging from a slender thread above the void, not my idea of fun.
But they seem to enjoy it so it must be fun. At least they keep going back to do do it again.

Early bicycles were heavy cast iron contraptions; many would say that they couldn't be any fun to ride. They are.
And from them the modern bicycle evolved. We wouldn't have the charms of the modern bicycle if everybody back then
had said 'Oh! They're too heavy - just forget the whole idea!'.
You seem to be condemning these DIY creations just because there are things about them that could/should be improved.

At heart I'm a lazy bugger,as a result I don't go around making things more difficult than needs be,a lifetime of hard physical graft taught me that early on,efficiency is as good an approach to cycle touring IMO.
Now when I see such a thing as a cycle caravan,especially one weighing 74kgs or even one weighing 37kgs,it defies logic and enjoyment,not surprisingly I think crosswinds and hills,not to mention unnecessary pain and suffering.
Not my idea of a holiday.
EDIT:- In short it's a daft idea and there's no improvement that can be made to a cycling caravan that makes it logical,it's a bit like a fit person attempting to run a marathon wearing one hi-tech running shoe and a lead divers boot on the other foot.
The King is in the altogether,the altogether,
he's altogether as naked as the day that he was born.....

The reason early cyclists enjoyed riding heavy bikes was because they didn't have a choice and knew no different,there was no alternative but it was a step(sorry)forward from walking and increased they horizons.
The bicycle developed gradually to a much better machine with lighter materials and better gearing to tackle hills and handle windy conditions,progressing as they became available and likewise the equipment strapped to it.
To shackle it to something as unnecessary and frankly bizzare as a caravan defies logic in my opinion,yours may be opposite,that's the difference of our opinion.

As for my post count,for the life of me I don't see a connection,or do you see it as some sort of offence or affront?
I post my opinion you post yours it's an open forum with many different opinions.
Or should I not point out the King's problem when I see it for what it is?

[foxyrider]

In short it's a daft idea and there's no improvement that can be made to a cycling caravan that makes it logical,it's a bit like a fit person attempting to run a marathon wearing one hi-tech running shoe and a lead divers boot on the other foot.

The point of a 'bikeavan' (can't be a caravan without a car right?) is that it offers a degree of comfort that a tent doesn't - well thats my take on it. From what i've seen on't web, the majority of preponents tow using some sort of E assistance which seems quite sensible to me. Now i'm sure there will be some out there doing it 'real' and in terrain not ideally suited but surely the appeal is that it offers an alternative to a tent if you can no longer manage one (or prefer not) without being tied to having to use B&B's/hotels etc.

I'm currently still pretty able, my complete camping outfit weighs less than some peoples tent and i'll keep doing it all the time i'm able. On the other hand i know that may not always be the case so i'm not just going to poo poo anything that doesn't fit into my current lightweight world.

I quite agree that some of the designs are frankly not ffp but the whole concept is still in its infancy and i promise not to laugh when you buy one!

[Jdsk]

...can't be a caravan without a car right?...

The words are unrelated.

Jonathan

[Mike Sales]

...can't be a caravan without a car right?...

The words are unrelated.

Jonathan

The Stars are setting and the Caravan Starts for the Dawn of Nothing-Oh, make haste!

Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, 12th Century.

[reohn2]

In short it's a daft idea and there's no improvement that can be made to a cycling caravan that makes it logical,it's a bit like a fit person attempting to run a marathon wearing one hi-tech running shoe and a lead divers boot on the other foot.

The point of a 'bikeavan' (can't be a caravan without a car right?) is that it offers a degree of comfort that a tent doesn't - well thats my take on it. From what i've seen on't web, the majority of preponents tow using some sort of E assistance which seems quite sensible to me. Now i'm sure there will be some out there doing it 'real' and in terrain not ideally suited but surely the appeal is that it offers an alternative to a tent if you can no longer manage one (or prefer not) without being tied to having to use B&B's/hotels etc.

Surely the point is to have a tour/holiday/time out to enjoy the bike and surroundings.If someone thinks a "bikeavan" fits that bill then good luck to them,but IMHO they're in for a rude awakening even with e-assist,if there's even a suggestion of a hill,should there be any cross or headwinds gawd 'elp 'em.
Whether it offers an alternative to a tent or B&B/hotel accommodation or not is upto to the individual but I'm betting not many will find towing such a vehicle behind a bicycle much compensation or fun at all other than for the serious masochist.

I'm currently still pretty able, my complete camping outfit weighs less than some peoples tent and i'll keep doing it all the time i'm able. On the other hand i know that may not always be the case so i'm not just going to poo poo anything that doesn't fit into my current lightweight world

That's upto you,but it seems someone who has a contrary view shouldn't,because he sees no sense in it.
I'll stand by my comments that the concept has a very limited appeal and even more limited application.

I quite agree that some of the designs are frankly not ffp but the whole concept is still in its infancy and i promise not to laugh when you buy one!

I won't be buying or making one so save your laughter for those who have .

[jimlews]

You are not lacking a sense of humour, as evidenced by your 42,841 previous posts
(I've not read them all, so there may be one or two 'grumps' in there)

As for my post count,for the life of me I don't see a connection,or do you see it as some sort of offence or affront?
I post my opinion you post yours it's an open forum with many different opinions.
Or should I not point out the King's problem when I see it for what it is?

reohn2
It was an attempt at humour, hence the
Not intended to give offence
I apologise if it did
Lets stay friends.

[reohn2]

You are not lacking a sense of humour, as evidenced by your 42,841 previous posts
(I've not read them all, so there may be one or two 'grumps' in there)

As for my post count,for the life of me I don't see a connection,or do you see it as some sort of offence or affront?
I post my opinion you post yours it's an open forum with many different opinions.
Or should I not point out the King's problem when I see it for what it is?

reohn2
It was an attempt at humour, hence the
Not intended to give offence
I apologise if it did
Lets stay friends.

No worries

[SA_SA_SA]

A bicycle caravan that was light enough might speed up unpacking-tent setup and its opposite, packing up in the morning....
My attempts getting faster at those aren't that successful...

A hypothetic light cycle caravan offers the idea of roll up, detach, legs down, done....

Perhaps a more realistic alternative would be a kind of camper box on a trailer (inspired by those for early type 2 vw buses):

Eg a box containing drawers, cupboards of one's stuff ready for use, the top with a fold up lid (forming windshield) to reveal a stove. Ie no pannier/bag/trailer unpacking . One option might be a fold out camp bed as alternative to a mat.

A slightly bigger tent (pyramid?)might be needed but not too much heavier, but camp setup would then consist of extract tent, pitch, place box in tent, lift lid put kettle on, make beverage.... (then remove sleep system, .)

Maybe this or a subset could be made at a acceptable weight for some..

[SteveGray]

Hello all,

I stumbled onto cycle towed caravans on you tube. Some available to buy, many you buy plans for and make yourself.

Paul Elkins seems particularly gifted in his designs and recycling. Foldavan is another option.

They sadly remind me of what cycling COULD be like here. In Tyneside the immediate issue is the barriers on the multi user off road routes. On road ? not that brave.

Has anyone tried this form of touring in the UK or made their own cycle caravan ?

On the sites, I hope the Camping and Caravanning Club accept them on tent spaces. On the Caravan and Motorhome Club sites, I do suspect they will prohibit this form of green caravan. Not nearly big or polluting enough ?.I would love to be wrong here.

I wonder if anyone has experiences to share ?

Steve Gray

[Jdsk]

...
Has anyone tried this form of touring in the UK or made their own cycle caravan ?
...

Previous discussion... with videos and a speed trial!
[topics merged by moderator]

Jonathan

[ymfb]

Looks like something that would be more practical in countries with less wind & traffic.

A bit of fun in rural France.

Enjoyed a couple of the Foldavan YT vids, thanks for posting.

[rjb]

Like this one I saw on the Somerset levels.
The owner had no issue booking a space at the caravan and camping site.