Frequently Asked Questions
About us
Who makes Go-Pods?
The Go-Pods factory is located in Portugal, where the product has been manufactured for over 25 years!
In that time, we've refined and improved Go-Pods to become one of the best quality and value micro caravans on the market.
General questions
Where can I view a Go-Pod?
There are a few ways to view a Go-Pod;
• In person at one of our dealerships.
• At any of our 80+ owner viewing locations. These are real customers who have bought & use Go-Pods themselves. They offer viewings to others as part of our Referrals & Rewards programme to save prospective customers travelling time and providing them an opportunity to speak to a real owner, rather than a sales person. After viewing, customers are invited to order online or by phone, as preferred.
Can I buy a Go-Pod from anywhere else?
We have an established network of dealers in the UK, mainland Europe and beyond. Please visit www.Go-Pod.com for more information.
Who are Go-Pods suited to?
We have a wide and diverse range of customers who are drawn to the Go-Pods for a number of reasons.
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Many of our customers are upgrading from tent camping.
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Lots of Go-Pod customers have downsized from larger, traditional touring caravans as they appreciate the convenience and ease of use in comparison. Being able to store the Go-Pod at home is a common factor in the decision of those customers.
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Solo travellers who don't need the space of larger caravans.
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Caravan enthusiasts in the 60 + age bracket, who find it harder to manage large caravans.
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Those with vehicles with small engines that are unable to tow heavy caravans.
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Professionals with limited spare time, who love the idea of being able to head off on adventures with short notice.
These are just a few, limited examples of our customers. The truth is that anyone of any age can benefit from a Go-Pod!
What are the main advantages of Go-Pods vs other caravans?
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The one-piece GRP fibreglass shell has no seams or joins, unlike traditional caravans which are built with separate panels. This means that there is very little possibility of water ingress and damage.
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The GRP fibreglass shell is extremely lightweight, providing greater fuel economy and allowing the Go-Pod to be towed with smaller cars.
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The shape of the body is aerodynamic, so there is little wind resistance.
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Go-Pods are small in size, so they are easy to store and fit inside of most standard garages.
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They feature a seating area which can be converted to a double bed, saving space and allowing different configurations.
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Many of the components are suitable for use without access to 230v electricity supply, so the Go-Pod can be used 'off-grid' - this can save money on pitches at campsites, and also allows the Go-Pod to reach locations that other caravans cannot.
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There are multiple options for customisation, including 3 furniture colours, multiple fabric options and the ability to colour match the body to any RAL paint code.
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Go-Pods are very easy to service and maintain, requiring far less annual maintenance than other caravans.
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There is a thriving community of Go-Pod owners online, from a number of countries. This is an invaluable resource and owners are always happy to provide advice and assistance to each other.
Can Go-Pods be used throughout the year?
They certainly can!
With around 1.5 - 2cm of insulation, the Go-Pods are incredibly effective at maintaining a constant temperature.
Dual-fuel blown air heating systems are available as an optional extra. They run on either gas or 240V mains electricity, meaning that they can be used on or off-grid.
Where can I store a Go-Pod?
Go-Pods will fit comfortably in most standard size garages, meaning they can be stored at home, saving money on storage fees.
At only 4.20m in length, they are roughly the size of a standard hatchback car, so some customers store them in residential parking spaces and underground garages.
Can I use my Go-Pod without access to mains elecriticity (240V)?
Go-Pods are extremely versatile and can be used without access to mains (240v) electricity supply.
They include:
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12v, 85Ah leisure battery.
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Dometic CRE50 compressor refrigerator (powered by the onboard leisure battery)
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2 burner gas hob.
Optional extras include:
- 100w solar panel to provide charge to the leisure battery.
- Propex dual-fuel blown air heating system, able to run on either gas or 240V.
Ordering a Go-Pod
How do I order a Go-Pod?
To order a Go-Pod, speak to one of our many official dealers.
If you're viewing this website from outside of the UK and there isn't yet a Go-Pods dealer in your country, you can order from us direct for collection from our factory in Portugal, or we can arrange delivery to your home for an extra charge.
Please contact us for more details.
Collection and delivery
Where do I collect my Go-Pod?
Collection will be from the premises of your local Go-Pods dealer.
Do I need to bring a number plate with me?
You'll need to bring a spare number plate with you to affix to the Go-Pod on your collection day.
They can be printed at any local motor factors for a modest fee. The motor factor will require your V5C document and driving license.
You will require one yellow (rear) oblong number plate, made to the industry standard size of:
520mm × 111mm
Do you offer delivery?
Your Go-Pods dealer may offer a home delivery service. Please contact them directly for more information.
If I choose delivery, will I receive a handover?
We use an external delivery partner in the UK, and their drivers are not trained to provide Go-Pod handovers. For that reason, we recommend that customers opt for collection where possible instead - in particular customers who do not have any prior caravanning experience.
How do I register my Go-Pod with CRiS?
If you'd like to CRiS register your Go-Pod this should be done directly with the scheme. Please contact their website at www.cris.co.uk to buy your registration pack.
They will require the following information;
• Your chassis number.
This is the long number found on the ID plate that's located on the square draw bar, at the front of your caravan.
• The make is GOING
• The model is GO-POD
• Please ensure you state that the Go-Pod is an IMPORT.
Our factory is located in Portugal and as such, their registration system classes Go-Pods as imported caravans.
Where can I insure my Go-Pod?
We have a longstanding partnership with CaravanGuard, one of the UKs leading caravan insurance providers. They offer free 14-day towaway insurance to all Go-Pod customers, with a no obligation quotation.
It is always advisable to shop around for the best deal, as costs can vary widely by insurer, location etc.
Technical questions
How are Go-Pods manufactured?
The Go-Pods are relatively unique caravans, as they have a one-piece GRP fibreglass shell with no seams or joins. This prevents water ingress and extends the longevity of the caravan.
Our patented shell design is produced by a fibreglass manufacturer using a mould. Fibreglass is poured into the mould and allowed to set. Paint can be mixed with the fibreglass before it is poured into the mould, to produce a custom coloured shell that can be matched to any RAL paint code.
We build the body of the Go-Pods at our factory, using an AL-KO galvanised steel chassis as the base. We then place the shell onto the chassis, and begin fitting the interior of the Go-Pod.
The frame is constructed with wood (which helps to keep the weight down) and the cavities are filled with medium density polystyrene insulation blocks. This helps to retain heat in the colder months, and keep the Go-Pod cool during the summer months. White lacquered MDF wall panels are then placed over the frame and insulation.
The floor (and under-floor) is made from marine-grade plywood, which is water resistant and helps to prevent against water ingress from road water. It is securely sealed around the edges using high quality caravan sealant.
Interior furniture units are made from strong poplar plywood.
Can my car pull a Go-Pod?
Go-Pods are light enough to be towed by many of today’s small engine cars.
Go-Pods have brakes on the wheels too, so look for the ‘Braked Towing Capacity’ on your V5 Document and as long as it exceeds 750Kg, you can legally tow.
For more information, please click here.
What towing equipment is required?
You need a standard 50mm diameter tow ball and 13 pin Euro socket electrics.
This socket will accept the Go-Pods 13 pin plug which works the towing lights, charges the caravan's on-board battery and powers the fridge in transit.
If your tow vehicle has twin electrics you can buy an adaptor to convert the leads. If you have only 7 pin electrics on your car, you can still tow with an adaptor but it will only operate the driving lights & won't power anything else.
You do not require an AL-KO branded tow bar and non branded tow bars are fine to fit.
Do I need extended driving mirrors?
The Law requires that drivers of the towing vehicles have adequate view to the rear. With the Go-Pod, most vehicles existing side mirrors allow for a good view along the entire side of the caravan and extension mirrors are not therefore required.
What are the tyre specifications?
The standard tyre size for all Go-Pods (including those with an upgraded chassis rating of 1000 kg) is 175/70 R13 86N.
A suitable alternative for Go-Pods with a chassis rating of 750 kg is 175/70 R13 82T.
Tyre pressure
Go-Pod trailer wheels are 35 psi.
Wheel nut torque
The wheel nut torque is 65lbs for standard wheels and 95lbs for alloys.
Inflatable jockey wheel pressures vary by manufacturer, so please refer to the recommended psi that is displayed on the tyre's wall.
Alloy wheels
You can buy alloy wheels from our shop - click here.
If you prefer to fit your own, Go-Pods wheels are 4 ½ J x 13 H2 ET30.
Click here for a useful explanation by towingandtrailers.com and check out the Blog page too - click here.
Which gas bottles are suitable for the Go-Pods?
In 2023 Calor Gas discontinued the 3.9kg propane bottle that was an industry standard for most small caravans, teardrops and trailers, including the Go-Pods.
There are 4 suitable alternatives from other suppliers available on the UK market. Click here for a comparison.
Where can I have my Go-Pod serviced?
Any NCC approved workshop will be able to service your Go-Pod, but we recommend that where possible, you bring it to an official Go-Pods dealership, as they have specialist knowledge.
Where can I find my Go-Pods chassis number?
Your chassis number can be found on a stamped plate that's riveted to the square draw bar at the front of your Go-Pod. The longest number on the plate is your chassis number. This will be required when insuring your Go-Pod.
Terminology
What does 'MiRO' mean?
MiRO stands for Mass in Running Order.
It's sometimes referred to as the 'factory weight' of a caravan or trailer.
This is the unladen weight of a caravan/trailer without any personal effects, additional equipment or people inside.
What does 'MTPLM' mean?
MTPLM stands for Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass.
This is the total weight (set by the manufacturer) that a caravan/trailer cannot exceed when fully laden.
The MTPLM is sometimes referred to as the MAM, or Maximum Authorised Mass.
To ascertain whether your vehicle can tow a caravan, you should compare the MTPLM figure to your vehicles 'braked towing allowance', which can be found in the registration documents or vehicle manual.
If the 'braked towing allowance' matches or exceeds the MTPLM of the caravan, you can legally tow it.
What does 'Payload' mean?
The payload of a caravan/trailer is quite simply the available weight for personal effects and supplies.
You can find the payload of a caravan or trailer by subtracting the MiRO (Mass in Running Order) from the MTPLM (Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass).
What does 'unladen weight' mean?
The Unladen Weight of a vehicle is the total weight of a vehicle (usually pickup or van) without any load, including personal effects, occupants and even fuel.
What does 'GVW' mean?
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight, sometimes referred to as Permissible Maximum Weight) is the maximum permitted total weight of a vehicle, when fully laden.
What does 'GTW' mean?
GTW stands for 'Gross Train Weight'.
It is founded by adding the Maximum Authorised Mass of a vehicle (the largest amount that a vehicle can weigh including passengers, fuel and load) to the MTPLM of a caravan or trailer.
This figure is important for those attempting to ascertain whether they can legally tow on a category B driving license.
What does 'Nose weight' mean?
Nose weight is the weight or downward force from the caravan's hitch to the tow car's tow ball.