Trailers: how life is in motorhomes. Trailers: Life in Motorhomes Car Trailer
It's common in Hollywood movies when main character forced to huddle in a trailer. The media represent the owners of such housing as victims of the economic crisis or classify them as asocial elements. The Americans themselves hold a different opinion: according to various estimates, 18-20 million people live in mobile homes. Some really lost their jobs, and with it the opportunity to rent an apartment. Others simply save in such an exotic way - in different states of the USA, the cost of renting a site in a trailer park and utilities costs $150-400 per month. At the same time, the price of the mobile home itself ranges from $1,000 to $150,000. If you wish and if you have a certain amount of money, you can buy a trailer, which, in terms of comfort level, will not lose to an apartment in a Manhattan skyscraper.
This is interesting Budget option camper is a compact bike house. On the road, the structure serves as a trailer for storing things, in the parking lot - a room for sleeping and relaxing.
Velodom
CARAVANING AS A LIFESTYLE
In Europe, caravanning (traveling in motorhomes) is a full-fledged offshoot of tourism. While Americans live in trailer communities full-time, Europeans prefer to spend their vacations in campsites. In Germany alone, the caravanning sector accounts for about 11 million overnight accommodations, for comparison - hotel business limited to 8.7 million seats. The total number of caravan sites is approaching 4,000, and the annual turnover of caravanning is almost 10 billion euros.
In Russia, caravanning is far from being so rosy. Firstly, a couple of dozen specialized campsites are unlikely to be found on a vast territory. Most often, road trip lovers set up camp near water bodies or negotiate with the guards of paid parking lots. Second, the climate middle lane not conducive to year-round living in campers. However, modern trailers are equipped not only with toilets, but also with functional water supply and heating systems.
The European example turned out to be contagious: in early 2016, an agreement was signed between Rostourism and Avtodor. As part of the agreement, a plan is being developed to create infrastructure for auto travelers, build multifunctional zones and a network of campsites. The project will start with the main Brest-Moscow transport corridor, followed by the Moscow-St. Petersburg and Moscow-Novorossiysk routes. Parking lots will be equipped with toilets, showers, kitchens, sources of drinking water, rental of household items, as well as places for car repair and preventive maintenance.
WITH A TRAILER FOR LIFE
Caravaning appeared along with the start of mass production of the legendary "Tin Lizzy" - the first car of Henry Ford. As soon as a relatively fast and comfortable means of transportation became available to the Americans, they began to travel around the country in search of adventure. Mobile homes have become a new symbol of America, especially for freelance artists and hippies. Camping came to Europe almost 50 years later, but quickly became popular.
Over the century-old history of the automotive industry, many different models of motorhomes have been created. Now on the market you can find a camper for every taste and budget - from a small tent trailer to a luxurious trailer with a jacuzzi. Mobile housing is divided into two main types: motorhomes move independently, a tractor is required to transport trailers.
Residential vehicles
Based on a car chassis. In the American system, motorhomes are divided into three classes (A, B, C), in the European system - into four categories:
Residential trailers (trailers)
They move with the help of a tractor: minivan, pickup truck or SUV. They differ in capacity and installation method:
In the days of the USSR, there were no civilian motorhomes, but several models of mobile housing were produced for the military at once. Vans and trailers were produced on the basis of ZILs and Urals, for the command staff giant transformers, "butterflies", were provided. A little later, converted kungs appeared for gas workers and oil workers who set off to conquer the Far North.
Motorhome based on GAZ-66
We got acquainted with the equipment for ordinary citizens after the change of the political system: in the nineties, a stream of second-hand automobiles poured into the country, including trailers. However, real motor caravans were rare then, the bulk were converted vans. Now in Russia you can buy any model - if only there was money. But is the game worth the candle?
AMERICAN DREAM ON RUSSIAN ROADS
The trailer gives an incomparable feeling of freedom - at least, so say the American and European owners of motorhomes. Compatriots prefer to buy mobile trailers for traveling abroad, because trips around Russia can bring more problems than pleasure.
Storage and maintenance
The principle of “I carry everything with me” can seriously limit autonomy. And if gas stations are quite common (gas is used for heating, a kitchen and a refrigerator), then things are worse with biological waste. Chemicals used in auto-toilets must be disposed of, and there are no collection points in Russia yet. The situation is the same with drinking water: clean water needs to be refueled somewhere, and dirty water needs to be drained somewhere.
Foreign caravans are made on the basis of powerful chassis designed for movement on high-quality roads. Most motorhomes will not get to our "reserved corners" - dimensions, maneuverability and height of road clearance will not allow. The traditional color of trailers is white. City dust instantly eats into light paint, and steel parts are destroyed by corrosion. In a typical garage, the car simply does not fit.
You can comfortably live in trailers all year round
Of course. If your trailer is on Cote d'Azur. "Native" thermal insulation and double glazing made of special plastic is clearly not enough for the domestic climate. Most models suffer cab doors, engine cover and bulkhead shield. It is possible to heat the room to a comfortable 24-26 degrees, but this will bring additional costs. Scandinavian trailers are best adapted to our conditions.
As for the furnishings, the motorhomes have everything you need. But in miniature. The aisles are very narrow, and a few untidy things immediately create a mess.
Difficulties with management
Technically, driving a camper is no more difficult than driving a passenger car. TO positive aspects includes a comfortable fit and enhanced visibility. They are leveled by dimensions, high center of gravity and large windage. These moments lead to a strong lateral buildup: on the track, the car will sway even from oncoming cars passing by. This is where the speed limit comes from - a rare trailer can accelerate to 110 km / h. The standard maximum is 90 km/h.
This is interesting The most expensive camper in the world is EleMMent PALAZZO from the Austrian company Marchi Mobile. Inside the car there is a seating area with a bar and leather sofas, a bedroom with a luxurious audio and video system, a full kitchen and a bathroom. The retractable mechanism allows you to increase the area of the upper floor by almost 2 times. The cost of "toys" - 3 million dollars.
ELEMMent PALAZZO
Studies conducted in the United States have shown that caravanning costs 25-50% less than traditional travel by plane. In Russian realities, an auto vacation with all the amenities can hardly be called economical. Purchasing a trailer will only pay off if you go on vacation quite often. big companies. Be prepared for the fact that the fuel consumption of your car will increase by about one and a half times, and the speed and maneuverability will decrease. The trailer can be rented - the cost of one day varies from 100 to 200 euros (depending on the country).
Trailer motorhome, is a very popular means of transportation both in America and in countries Western Europe. Unfortunately, motorhome trailers are not yet so popular in the CIS countries, including Russia and Ukraine.
There are many reasons for this. Take, for example, our roads, the quality of which trailers are very sensitive to, and their cost is still not affordable for many, because even used motorhome trailers, with a ten-year service life, cost from 10 thousand USD. and higher.
But still I want to note that more and more often you can find such cars on our roads. After all, a motorhome trailer has a number of advantages that other cars do not have.
The most important advantage is the place of residence, which is constantly with you. After all, many people know what the cost of comfortable housing is during the holiday season, but here everything is free. Also, having a motorhome trailer, you are completely independent, and you can quickly change the place of your vacation, and this will allow you to gain more new interesting experiences.
In general, this is an excellent means of resting with the family when traveling on vacation, both in the suburbs and over long distances.
And many travel lovers in the CIS countries began to understand this.
Trailer types
But let's see what are motorhome trailers, what are their advantages and what are their disadvantages.
There are four types of motorhome trailers.
First type.
These are kastenvagens, or in other words, residential minivans.
These are not large auto houses that are equipped inside an ordinary minivan van. In such a mini house on wheels, you can see built-in furniture and all the equipment you need for living.
In such trailers, motor homes have their pros and cons.
Let's start with the positives.
First of all, not large dimensions make it very easy to drive such a van, while you can drive almost anywhere.
Also, such a mini mobile home is no different from a regular minivan, which allows you to use it on daily business trips.
The cost of such motor homes is cheaper compared to other types.
Disadvantages.
Poor sound insulation of the walls. Small internal volume, which limits the number of people wishing to travel.
Usually, such mobile homes are designed for 2-3 people when traveling long distances, and for four passengers when traveling out of town.
And lastly, in winter they are not suitable for travel.
Alcove trailers
The next type is alcove motorhome trailers.
This name was obtained because of their interesting design. Above the cab of the car is a special superstructure called an alcove, hence the name alcove trailer motor home.
In this superstructure (alcove) there is an additional double bed.
Due to the fact that these types of motorhomes are made in a huge range and with a variety of layouts, as well as because of their versatility, they have gained immense popularity in the world.
Advantages.
What are the advantages of these types of motorhomes.
Thanks to liquid heating, which is provided in many models of such trailers, as well as double insulated floors, this type of car house can be traveled in winter.
A large internal volume allows you to safely accommodate in such a camper from 4 to 7 people, plus do not forget about the double bed above the cabin.
In general, this is really not a big house, with a kitchenette, separate or shared showers, a bathroom, etc.
Disadvantages.
Of course, there are fewer of them than advantages, but still they are.
This is poor handling as the car's center of gravity is very high.
Bad aerodynamics, it becomes clear, just look at such a trailer, and this is more fuel consumption.
Well appearance. Here it’s an amateur, some people like it, others don’t.
Semi-integrated car houses
The next type of caravan trailers are semi-integrated caravans.
They differ little from alcove houses, except that the alcove above the cabin itself is missing in them. In this place, as a rule, boxes are attached, which are in limbo.
Advantages.
What is positive about these motor homes.
Better aerodynamics than alcove houses due to smaller dimensions, and this is fuel economy.
Huge selection of layouts and models. There are models for traveling in winter.
Disadvantages.
The disadvantages of such motor homes are the low passenger capacity. As a rule, 2 - 4 people. But for many, this is enough, especially since they are cheaper than alcove houses.
Integrated trailers
Moving on to the next type - integrated motorhome trailers.
Such mobile homes got their name due to the integration of the entire cabin into the living space.
I produce these types of motorhome trailers less than other types. They are more expensive, but at the same time they have their own exclusive design.
Such houses are completed with equipment and furniture of the highest quality.
Advantages.
The advantages of such mobile homes is the large interior space, which is formed by integrating furniture and equipment into the car interior.
Large side windows allow you to ride comfortably while observing the surrounding landscapes.
Good thermal insulation, both the cab itself and the entire cabin.
Almost all such motorhome trailers are adapted for travel in winter.
Due to the good layout of the body and interior, such cars at home are easy to drive and have excellent driving performance with moderate fuel consumption.
Disadvantages.
Of course, their high cost. These are some of the most expensive mobile homes. And in most cases they are made to order.
Also, to drive such a car house, category “C” rights are required, and this is additionally expensive training and restrictions on movement around the city.
The low ground clearance of such auto houses reduces its cross-country ability in difficult-to-pass places.
Results
From the above, we can conclude that a motorhome trailer is an excellent tool for family travel over long distances, especially in summer to the sea.
And what has been popular in the West for many decades is finally coming to us.
Creating this collection and writing this article, we perfectly understood that the topic for Russian realities is not widespread enough. Autotourism is not very well developed in our country (in the USSR, it was, oddly enough, much better with this business), and trailers, sometimes standing like a not very cheap used car, are also sold out very, very sluggishly. However, they are, there are autotourists in our country. For them, autotourists, and for everyone who has trailers (especially those designed to transport heavy loads), we have prepared a description of the best and most adapted vehicles for transporting trailers of the 2016 models. In all major price segments with the most common brands and models.
So which ones, according to the same English experts in 2016, are best purchased for transporting not only trailers, but also trailers and heavily loaded trailers, vans for transporting horses and other trailers.
One well-known electronic, English auto publication conducted a large-scale experiment in which 43 car models took part, which passed a tough test for professional suitability from the side of driving safety with trailers and trailers and the suitability of models for this type of activity. The basic requirements for vehicles - safety, comfort, convenience and economy when used with trailers were put at the forefront.
It's important to know:
Rivals were placed in six price categories, plus a 4x4 rating was opened in two classes, which included weights up to or more than 1800 kg. The winner with the unconditional highest score out of all six categories is awarded the title of "Tow car of the Year", that is, the car best suited for driving with trailers. Plus, the judges gave out a special nomination “Innovation”, but we will talk about this in more detail a little later.
The three-day test took place at the Millbrook training ground in Betforshire. Trailers of various sizes and weights participated in the testing, with which all 43 participants had to show their skills. Ballast was added to each of the vehicles to mimic a family of four, and the vans were loaded to 85% of the vehicle's curb weight.
The towbar pressure on the towbar was set within the recommended limits, from 5 to 7%.
The jury evaluated each car and trailer for stability and balance while driving at speeds. The test program was as follows: One of the stages included a two-mile segment in Millbrook with pronounced crosswinds, which tested the windage and stability of a passenger road train;
Then passed the acceleration test and braking test;
The Alpine Hill test lap on the course allowed the judges to evaluate the handling, while the 14% and 17% climbs tested the cars' traction and maneuverability in difficult conditions of steep elevation changes. In mountain tests, the start uphill, the work of the "handbrake" and the electronic systems of the car were checked;
A separate point was the predisposition when driving in a hitch with a trailer.
Innovative VW Trailer Assist Technology
In impromptu testing competitions on cars that passed the exam, one very important and interesting technology appeared, which impressed the testers so much that in the coming years it will become a mandatory attribute of all cars that, by their dimensions and design, involve driving with trailers, the VW Trailer Assist System. A feature that will make any "caravaner" jump for happiness.
This incredibly smart "kit" will help you perfectly attach to the trailer and complete reverse maneuvers thanks to the automatic steering control of the machine. In a nutshell, Trailer Assist by coordinating the operation of the existing Park Assist system and the rear view camera.
It was hard to come up with something easier to use. Stop a car with a trailer attached. Then press the Trailer Assist button to activate the system. It recognizes that the car is coupled to a trailer and, using a special algorithm, the necessary angles are calculated from the initial data (shown on the screen, current and possible trajectories) for safe maneuvering. Trailer angles are used when calculating steering wheel turn.
The mirror adjustment joystick, when the system is switched on, temporarily becomes a control element with which the driver can change the direction of travel when reversing with a trailer. The rest of the complex work is performed by the machine itself, in automatic mode. The driver can only control the pedals and choose the desired direction of movement.
At the first attempt, it is a little difficult to understand what and how to do, how the system works, but very soon everyone who used this system could not live without it in the future when maneuvering.
You can disable the setting by pressing the Trailer Assist button by pressing it again or intervene in the manual control process. Also an indisputable plus is the Trailer Assist braking function, which will automatically slow down the car if it starts to exceed a safe speed.
2016 Land Rover Discovery - Winner
This is the moment of truth for Land Rover. Seven cars each took their well-deserved categories, becoming winners, but only one can be better and more practical than all in general in 2016. Trailer Car of the Year. It was not easy for the judges to choose the winner, but, in the end, it was the Land Rover Discovery, which managed to demonstrate its preparation to everyone. The title was taken.
Of the cars tested, the Discovery was truly the best of the bunch, no matter if it's hitched to a towbar, a trailer, a trailer or a horse carriage, a big SUV is the best performance. Tested in the HSE Luxury version, Land Rover gets a host of extras, including adaptive xenon headlights with daytime running lights, Meridian audio system, digital TV and rear seat entertainment system with two 8-inch screens and WhiteFire wireless headphones as standard.
Without a trailer, this is the perfect family car with plenty of room for everyone. The stadium-style seats mean that even passengers in the third row of seats will have a great view of the road ahead. When there are no passengers in the back, Discovery offers a huge, 1,260 liter trunk in a five-seater. The seats fold and unfold simply, so the owners of an English SUV will never have difficulty with a lack of space.
It is supremely comfortable to ride, has an interior that is luxurious and has many of the hallmarks of a luxury car. By and large, this was not some unusual revelation for an English SUV.
The 3.0-liter V6 engine delivers all the power you need, even when the owner is hitched to a huge two-axle trailer. When towed in acceleration tests, it took just 11.2 seconds to reach 97 km/h from 48 km/h and 8.6 seconds to accelerate from 64-97 - truly remarkable times for a car weighing 2,622 kg.
It is expensive, relatively unreliable and expensive to maintain.
However, if you're looking for a jack-of-all-trades capable of pulling heavy trailers and trailers, the Land Rover Discovery is a good option.
Category winner:£17,500 - £22,000 Renault Captur (not sold in Russia yet)
Winner: Renault Captur 1.5 dCi 110 Dynamique Nav
Rivals:
. Citroen C4 Cactus BlueHDi 110 Flair
. Fiat Panda Cross 1.3 MultiJet
. Renault Captur 1.5 dCi 110 Dynamique Nav
. Suzuki Vitara 1.6 AllGrip SZ5
. Toyota Auris 1.6 Touring Sports Business Edition
. Vauxhall Mokka 1.6 CDTi 136PS
| Renault Captur, basic data | |
| Price | £17,695/£18,017 |
| Engine | 1.5 liter four-cylinder diesel |
| Power/Torque |
109 HP / 150 Nm |
| Economy | 3 l/100 km |
| CO2 emissions | 98g/km |
| Curb weight | 1.190 kg |
| 14.6 seconds | |
| 11.6 seconds | |
| 55.8 / 28.9 m | |
Category winner:£22,000 - £26,000 VW Jetta
Winner: Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI 150 DSG SE
Rivals:
. Citroen C4 Picasso BlueHDi 150 Auto Exclusive
. Mitsubishi ASX 4x4 2.2d Auto ZC-H
. Peugeot 3008 1.2L PureTech 130 S&S Allure
. SEAT Leon ST 2.0 TDI 184PS FR
. SsangYong Korando Sports EX Auto
. Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer 2.0 CDTi 170PS
. Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI 150 DSG SE
| VW Jetta, basic data | |
| Price | £23,930/£24,740 |
| Engine | |
| Power/Torque |
150 HP / 340 Nm |
| Economy | 3.75 l/100 km |
| CO2 emissions | 120 g/km |
| Curb weight | 1.448 kg |
| Acceleration with trailer from 48-97 km/h | 11.3 seconds |
| Acceleration with trailer from 64-97 km/h | 8.3 seconds |
| Braking (97-48 / 64-16 km/h) | 54.6 / 30.1 m |
Category winner:£ 26,000 and £ 30,000 Skoda Octavia Scout
Winner: Skoda Octavia Scout 2.0 TDI 150PS 4x4
Rivals:
. Fiat 500X 2.0 MultiJet 140PS
. Ford Mondeo Titanium Estate AWD
. Jeep Renegade 2.0 MultiJet 140PS 4WD
. Mazda 6 2.2D 175PS Tourer Sport Nav
. Mazda CX-5 2.2d 175PS AWD Sport Nav
. Mitsubishi L200 2.4d Barbarian
. Nissan Qashqai dCi 130 Tekna 4wd
. Peugeot 508 2.0 BlueHDi 150 S&S GT Line
. SEAT Leon X-Perience 2.0 TDI 150 SE Tech
. Skoda Octavia Scout 2.0 TDI 150PS 4x4
. SsangYong Rexton W ELX
. Subaru Forester 2.0d XE
. Toyota Avensis 2.0 Touring Sports Business Edition
. Volkswagen Golf SV 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG
| Skoda Octavia Scout, basic data | |
| Price | £25,405/£26,055 |
| Engine | 2.0 liter diesel, 4 cylinders |
| Power/Torque |
150 HP / 340 Nm |
| Economy | 3.9 l/100 km |
| CO2 emissions | 125/km |
| Curb weight | 1.451 kg |
| Acceleration with trailer from 48-97 km/h | 13.2 seconds |
| Acceleration with trailer from 64-97 km/h | 10.5 seconds |
| Braking (97-48 / 64-16 km/h) | 46.0 / 29.8 m |
Category winner:£30,000 - £40,000 VW Passat Estate (2.0 TDi DSG and 2.0 TDI 4Motion DSG versions will be sold in Russia, pricing not yet announced)
Winner: VW Passat Estate 2.0 TDI 190PS DSG GT
Rivals:
. Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC SR
. Kia Sorento KX-3
. Land Rover Defender 110
. Nissan X-Trail dCi 130 n-tec 4wd
. SEAT Alhambra 2.0 TDI 177PS SE Lux
. Volkswagen Passat Estate 2.0 BiTDI 4MOTION 240PS GT
. Volkswagen Passat Estate 2.0 TDI 190PS DSG GT
| VW Passat Estate, basic data | |
| Price | £31,045/£32,385 |
| Engine | 2.0 liter diesel, 4 cylinders |
| Power/Torque |
189 HP / 400 Nm |
| Economy | 3.8 l/100 km |
| CO2 emissions | 120 g/km |
| Curb weight | 1.581 kg |
| Acceleration with trailer from 48-97 km/h | 10.4 seconds |
| Acceleration with trailer from 64-97 km/h | 8.0 seconds |
| Braking (97-48 / 64-16 km/h) | 51.3 / 28.9 m |
Category winner:£40,000 - £50,000 VW Touareg
Winner: VW Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI 262PS 4MOTION R-Line
Rivals:
. Kia Sorento KX-4
. Land Rover Discovery Sport
| VW Touareg, basic data | |
| Price | £48,405/£49,170 |
| Engine | 3.0 liter diesel, V6 |
| Power/Torque |
258 HP / 580 Nm |
| Economy | 5.5 l/100 km |
| CO2 emissions | 174 g/km |
| Curb weight | 2.185 kg |
| Acceleration with trailer from 48-97 km/h | 9.1 seconds |
| Acceleration with trailer from 64-97 km/h | 7.0 seconds |
| Braking (97-48 / 64-16 km/h) | 43.0 / 22.4 m |
Category winner: more than £50,000 Land Rover Discovery (the cost of this version in the Russian Federation is 4.229.000 rubles)
Winner: Land Rover Discovery 3.0 V6 HSE Luxury
Rivals:
. Land Rover Discovery
. Range Rover Sport
. range rover
| Land Rover Discovery, basic data | |
| Price | £59,970/£61,220 |
| Engine | 3.0 liter diesel, V6 |
| Power/Torque |
249 HP / 600 Nm |
| Economy | 6.4 l/100 km |
| CO2 emissions | 203 g/km |
| Curb weight | 2.622 kg |
| Acceleration with trailer from 48-97 km/h | 11.2 seconds |
| Acceleration with trailer from 64-97 km/h | 18.6 seconds |
| Braking (97-48 / 64-16 km/h) | 57.2 / 30.1 m |
