GermanytoCanada

Hopefully some of the worldly campers within the community will be able to help....

We are considering bringing our camping trailer to Canada in the container when we ship our goods early 2019. The model we have is an older version of:

https://pennineoutdoorleisure.co.uk/fiesta-2

Whilst I am aware that there are many similar products available in Canada, we are quite attached to our camper and it would be nice to take it with us, unless the practicalities make this impossible. The cost of taking it isn't really a consideration, to a point. My questions are:

Electrics - We plug into UK or European sites using the standard 3 pin blue camping plug which is now the European standard. Trailers in North America seem to use a similar (but different) system with a different shape plug (and presumably 110v). I am struggling to find an adapter to allow me to plug my European plug into the electrics on site. Any ideas? Even with an adaptor, would the electrics work with the lower voltage?

Towing - We currently tow using a standard 7 pin towing plug. What connection is generally used in Canada for towing trailers and would this mean a simple adaptation of the plug on the camper to attach it to a Canadian car? Or are Canadian towing plugs the same as the UK?

Gas - We currently have two regulators for butane and propane and can use either fuel. Does anyone know whether Canadian gas bottles have the same connections as European/UK ones? I assume this should be easily resolved.

Tow Bar - Are Canadian tow bars the same size as UK ones, or would we need to replace the hitch on the camper to fit a Canadian car?

I also understand that in Nova Scotia we would need to register the trailer and have it safety checked (although I believe this is only for road-worthiness, not for gas safety etc). We seem to have 30 days from entering Canada to register and test the trailer, but as we most likely arrive in January, the thought of towing it around in the middle of winter to get the safety check done isn't a nice thought.

Having thought through the above a little more during writing this, are we crazy to even consider bringing the trailer with us? Presumably we could get a specialist to replace the electrics with a Canadian system but this may cost more than the camper is worth.

If it simply isn't practical to bring it with us, can anyone recommend any manufacturers of camping trailers that are similar in spec to the UK products? There seems to be far more manufactuers in North America, but the majority are far more basic than Pennine/Conway in the UK.

Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Atlantic Xpat

Not a camper but I do tow a trailer (ATV's, UTV's) so on towing....

• Tow balls in Canad are imperial - 1 7/8" and 2" being the most common. I'd guess your camping trailer has a 50mm hitch. In that case a 2" ball will be undersize with a risk of the hitch jumping off the ball. You would either need to bring a 50mm ball with you or change the hitch on the trailer to suit imperial.
• Towing electrics here are either 4 pin flat or 6/7 pin round. Different from UK.
• Don't know whether your camping trailer is braked or not, but mechanical overun brakes are not used (may not be legal?) here. (I used to tow a 2250kg boat trailer in the UK with mechanical overun brakes). Brakes here are electric - hence the 6/7 pin electrics. 4 pin is unbraked. Electric brakes require a brake controller to be installed in the tow vehicle. (Costs a few hundred $$)

No idea whether you can legally tow your imported trailer on the road. Perhaps Registrar of Imported Vehicles might shed some light. IMHO camping/tent trailers are widely available in Canada. It would probably be more cost effective and practical to buy one here.

dbd33

I have seen metric balls on offer here (!) I don't know about the electrics but I would think that part of the puzzle easy enough to solve. If the obvious suppliers, Princess Auto, NAPA and so on, can't help, try a dealer in metric tractors; Mahindra or Fendt.

GermanytoCanada

Many thanks for the helpful info.

Yes, the camper has a mechanical braking system which would need checking for legality.

I am coming back to the 'this is just too much hard work' camp on this issue now.

Thanks again

Atlantic Xpat

I'm sure metric balls can be had from specialist suppliers but the usual suspects - CT, Princess Auto etc - are unashamedly imperial.

Siouxie

Importing vehicles from countries other than the United States - Transport Canada
Frequently Asked Questions - Importing vehicles purchased in countries other than the United States - Transport Canada


I own a non-regulated class of vehicle in a foreign country other than the United States. How do I import it?

Even though your vehicle is not subject to comply with Motor Vehicle Safety Act, Canada Border Services Agency officers will inspect it upon entry. They will examine the vehicle to:

• confirm its non-regulated status;
• inspect if for possible soil contaminants;
• examine the ownerships documents;
• collect any applicable taxes and/or duties; and
• determine overall admissibility according to other regulations that may apply.

Please contact the Canada Border Services Agency for full details.

What happens if Canada border officials find a vehicle inadmissible into Canada when it is presented for importation?

Vehicles found inadmissible are immediately denied entry at the Canadian border. Vehicles granted entry subject to further verification that later fail to meet import requirements in Canada must be exported out of the country or destroyed under supervision of Canadian customs officials.
Note: Importing any vehicle that does not comply with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act is a punishable offence under the Criminal Code.

As to worth it - you might like these websites
https://www.frugal-rv-travel.com/Import-an-RV.html
https://www.greatcanadianrv.com/rv-i...avel-trailers/
https://www.autotrader.ca/rv/all/ns/
https://www.rvhotlinecanada.com/
https://gorving.ca/travel-trailers/
https://www.rvworld.ca/

Novocastrian

I think you'll find that most folk in the UK who think their balls are that size would be the same.

scilly

I suspect that "inspecting for possible soil contaminants" will probably mean that you should ensure that every little nook and cranny on and in the trailer, tyres, etc has been thoroughly washed before it is packed. If there is any soil left on there, and if it happens to fall off and contaminate anything else in the container, then you might find that not only will the trailer be found inadmissable but other items in the container might also be also found to be so.

I'm basing this on past experience with importing plant material from Europe where whole shipments have been refused because one plant was found to have minute traces of soil in between tiny fibrous roots. One of my former bosses would go on an annual trip to the UK to collect rare and unusual plants from well-known nurseries there. He would spend the last 3 days of his trip washing soil from the roots of all the plants ............. and even he would occasionally fail to do as good a job as the Agriculture Inspector in Canada would accept.

Agriculture is terrified of importing foreign insect, bacteria, fungi etc for overseas because of the havoc any one of them can cause.


The current European Chafer Beetle infestation in Metro Vancouver is a result of larva being brought in on the roots of incompletely cleaned tree stock.

Siouxie

Good point - you can read the requirements on this website - pan down to iii onwards.. they are also very concerned with the possibility of foot and mouth and other diseases. They include vehicles etc., and settlers goods in items to be inspected.

Import of used equipment and things from non-designated countries - Canadian Food Inspection Agency

ann m

A few years ago, we considered taking a Canadian RV the other way, to Europe. It fell into the "too much bother" in the end!

J-A-UK

UK braked trailers are totally different from Canada - In Canada we use an electric controller in the vehicle and the blue wire to operate brakes - Dependent on the weight of your unit you may have to fit brakes and that would mean new Axles

Rear lighting uses the same bulb for indicators as the brake light (we have standard 4 wires for unbraked trailers)

Propane - Bottles have different fitments but likely easily converted on the trailer

Mains Electric - I wouldn't begin to go there - too many conversion issues 240 to 110 and the plugs and sockets

Tow Hitch - Has to comply (like British Standards) - In Canada there must be two fixed connections (tow ball and Chains) - No big deal unless your tow eye is welded and fixed (some unbolt) as previously stated tow balls are Imperial and a variety (dependent on weight) not 50mm

Labor costs to correctly "fix" the issues would be mind blowing if indeed you could find anyone willing to take it on before finding out you need to replace the fridge, heating, lighting, fuse panel and everything else

Yeah........ Kinda Crazy !!!