iancalderbank
New Member
Hi all
I currently have an Audi Q7 3.0L/air suspension/ 4WD, and a twin axle caravan. Over the last two years we have also bought an electric car and this is used as the daily drive all the time. The q7 is now only used when a) pulling the caravan b) need to move more than 5 people (usually 6) c) need to move something big (ikea flatpacks, wardrobes, etc) d) towing something else (scouts trailer usually).
we do a lot of active sports (mountain biking, windsurfing, surfing, orienteering ). the kids are 2x large teenagers who only just fit in the twin axle caravan's bunks and will need to be evicted to a tent or similar quite soon. however, we don't want to move to full campervanning as that would not suit our typical long holidays (frankly we like the luxury of a caravan for those ), but I would like to have a camper-capable vehicle for those shorter active break trips , where we'd currently not bother with the hassle of taking the caravan, we'd either do a long stretch there and back in a day, or overnight in a b+b etc, or perhaps not go. Hope that makes sense by way of context.
so first and foremost I'm looking for a spec that is a really good tow vehicle with a decent size caravan and able to do long haul miles in comfort with 4 adult-sized people. The caravan will likely be downsized from the current 1800kg twin-axle to a 1500kg-ish single. . So to the questions -
I see a lot of discussion of aftermarket air suspension setups for Transporters. how good are these? I have factory air suspension on my Q7 and its frankly superb for towing stability. I have towed with a FWD estate car (Audi A6) on standard suspension before the Q7, and I would not go back to that. Towing ride quality is my main concern, with second being self-levelling for sleeping, and then "as low as you safely can" just for squeezing under car park barriers not for style reasons, I'm too old for that ;-)
Towbar Noseweights / rear axle weights / tailgate weights, with 4x mountain bikes. I currently tow-and-carry using a Maxraxx, which hangs the bikes from the towbar over the caravan A-frame, fully safe for towing. current car has 140kg noseweight capacity (this is increased by the air suspension) so this is plenty enough for 4x bikes and a caravan on the towbar. Is there anyone on here who tow-and-carries with bikes on the typical transporter tailgate 4x bike rack ? is it high enough to clear a tow hitch? what are the weight limits through the tailgate?
or anyone use a maxxraxx ? are there any high noseweight variants for the Transporter?
I am fully aware of the options to put the bike inside the Transporter (possible for 1, not for 4), or on the roof (no, full of windsurfers) or on the caravan rear (only certain makes and not very stable) or a-frame (again restricted to certain caravan makes) I do wish to maintain them being on the rear of the vehicle as that best suits "days out with bikes".
Layout-wise we are not after a full camper - just a minimal conversion that will enable sleeping of 2 people who are not a couple (e.g. father and son, so not wanting to snuggle on a 110 wide bed!) But travel 4 in comfort, somewhere to hide a porta potty, and a basic removable kitchen. With maximal rear space for lots of outdoor gear.
my current thinking the 2nd row being 1+1+1 and all removable and on sliders and the front row 2+1 both captains reversible. Bed at the back being a "flatoutcamperbed" double sided type across the full width, that can be either a single, two singles or a double, and leave loads of room in the middle for outdoor gear when folded. some form of removable side kitchen pod with outer 1 of the 2nd row seats removed to make room for this when being used. Does this all make sense?
in particular its not clear to me as a newb, should I look for one that has the rear seats on rails already, or is this not necessary?
which variants would best suit this intended layout? Automatic is mandatory , 4WD as near as makes no difference, and coming from 270PS, the more grunt the better.
any help appreciated and sorry for the massive pile of questions!
Ian
I currently have an Audi Q7 3.0L/air suspension/ 4WD, and a twin axle caravan. Over the last two years we have also bought an electric car and this is used as the daily drive all the time. The q7 is now only used when a) pulling the caravan b) need to move more than 5 people (usually 6) c) need to move something big (ikea flatpacks, wardrobes, etc) d) towing something else (scouts trailer usually).
we do a lot of active sports (mountain biking, windsurfing, surfing, orienteering ). the kids are 2x large teenagers who only just fit in the twin axle caravan's bunks and will need to be evicted to a tent or similar quite soon. however, we don't want to move to full campervanning as that would not suit our typical long holidays (frankly we like the luxury of a caravan for those ), but I would like to have a camper-capable vehicle for those shorter active break trips , where we'd currently not bother with the hassle of taking the caravan, we'd either do a long stretch there and back in a day, or overnight in a b+b etc, or perhaps not go. Hope that makes sense by way of context.
so first and foremost I'm looking for a spec that is a really good tow vehicle with a decent size caravan and able to do long haul miles in comfort with 4 adult-sized people. The caravan will likely be downsized from the current 1800kg twin-axle to a 1500kg-ish single. . So to the questions -
I see a lot of discussion of aftermarket air suspension setups for Transporters. how good are these? I have factory air suspension on my Q7 and its frankly superb for towing stability. I have towed with a FWD estate car (Audi A6) on standard suspension before the Q7, and I would not go back to that. Towing ride quality is my main concern, with second being self-levelling for sleeping, and then "as low as you safely can" just for squeezing under car park barriers not for style reasons, I'm too old for that ;-)
Towbar Noseweights / rear axle weights / tailgate weights, with 4x mountain bikes. I currently tow-and-carry using a Maxraxx, which hangs the bikes from the towbar over the caravan A-frame, fully safe for towing. current car has 140kg noseweight capacity (this is increased by the air suspension) so this is plenty enough for 4x bikes and a caravan on the towbar. Is there anyone on here who tow-and-carries with bikes on the typical transporter tailgate 4x bike rack ? is it high enough to clear a tow hitch? what are the weight limits through the tailgate?
or anyone use a maxxraxx ? are there any high noseweight variants for the Transporter?
I am fully aware of the options to put the bike inside the Transporter (possible for 1, not for 4), or on the roof (no, full of windsurfers) or on the caravan rear (only certain makes and not very stable) or a-frame (again restricted to certain caravan makes) I do wish to maintain them being on the rear of the vehicle as that best suits "days out with bikes".
Layout-wise we are not after a full camper - just a minimal conversion that will enable sleeping of 2 people who are not a couple (e.g. father and son, so not wanting to snuggle on a 110 wide bed!) But travel 4 in comfort, somewhere to hide a porta potty, and a basic removable kitchen. With maximal rear space for lots of outdoor gear.
my current thinking the 2nd row being 1+1+1 and all removable and on sliders and the front row 2+1 both captains reversible. Bed at the back being a "flatoutcamperbed" double sided type across the full width, that can be either a single, two singles or a double, and leave loads of room in the middle for outdoor gear when folded. some form of removable side kitchen pod with outer 1 of the 2nd row seats removed to make room for this when being used. Does this all make sense?
in particular its not clear to me as a newb, should I look for one that has the rear seats on rails already, or is this not necessary?
which variants would best suit this intended layout? Automatic is mandatory , 4WD as near as makes no difference, and coming from 270PS, the more grunt the better.
any help appreciated and sorry for the massive pile of questions!
Ian
. some put bike racks on back of caravans but I've always wanted to avoid that - pendulum effect, no use when you're traveling without caravan, only some caravan makes. plus it makes your outfit another 0.5m longer. I bought an inflatable canoe (Shipwreck Arrowstream) last year - its great. That can go in the car boot or in the caravan, then the non-bendy gear (windsurfing) goes up top.
