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If I were you and especially if you have not had a caravan before, I would go for the cheapest one you can find which is suitable for your needs and in good condition without the dreaded damp.

Caravanning isn't for everyone. I spent a long time once searching for my ideal cheap little caravan and was chuffed to bits when I found it. Unfortunately there were many problems and worries I hadn't anticipated...the cost of storage and maintenance for starters. Difficulties cleaning it if you don't have room and an outside hose. Towing was always a worry. If your car breaks down on a busy road it may not be too difficult to get to one side and be safe but when your car or the caravan breaks down on a busy road you have problems. Lots and lots of other little problems which added together made caravanning too expensive and stressful. So I went back to a tent.

If you buy a cheapo to begin with you can always flog it on and go back to a tent or trailer without too much, if any, loss of money. If you buy a nice expensive caravan straight away then find you don't like it you may well lose money.

Personally, if I had 10 grand I would go for a motorhome

As Bob mentioned, 10 grand is not necessary on a first van. You stand to lose more if you determine that its not for you and decided to sell. I agree about the motorhome bit to a certain extent, but unless its to be your only 'car', its another lot of tax, fuel, MOT, insurance, servicing and tyres etc to add to your annual motoring expenses.

There are many nice vans about for half that money. As for trade verssus private, you have more come-back obviously buying trade but much like buying a car from trade, you pay a premium price for the privilege of the warranty etc.

Personaly speaking, i would now buy private as ive had some experiance in some of the pitfalls from buying privately (i learnt the hard way with my first van and learnt alot from it!)