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Subject Topic: Caravan virgin - advice wanted Post Reply Post New Topic
Personwisaacs
02/8/2015 at 9:20am
 Location: Bath
 Outfit: Outwell Clear Lake View wisaacs's Profile View Profile   Reply to wisaacs Reply   Quote wisaacs Quote  
Joined: 14/2/2010

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My hubby and I are campers. I've been lucky enough to get permission for a 4 month sabbatical next year and hubby is self employed so we're going to take a nice break.

We think a caravan will suit us better than a motorhome as we have 2 dogs and like to go off walking with them when we're away often to places that involve narrow lanes so we'd like to option to retain a car. The whole motorhome, tow a small car thing starts to look very expensive in comparison. We're thinking will spend a few days in each place and move on.

We're not sure whether to stick with the UK which we love and take the opportunity to go right up to the top of Scotland or to go to Europe. We're assumimg the latter would cost us more especially with ferry, insurance etc.

So advice we need are - what make/model of caravan should we go for. We won't be buying brand new - we're thinking of spending £6-£8K. I'm an early to bed, early riser and a shorty at 5 foot 2. My hubby is the opposite and is a tall chap who likes his lie ins and goes to bed late. We also have the dogs. So we don't really want a van where the lounge converts into the sleeping area and the fixed bed setup where one person has to climb over the other into bed won't really work either. We're thinking fixed single beds might work OK, or an island bed or somewhere with a rear lounge.

We're new to towing too. Our current car is a Ford Galaxy which we love as we can remove all the seats and even sleep in the back for short weekends away. My hubby is a builder so he can use it as a van too. It is however pretty old now and has over 150K on the clock and no tow bar so we're looking to change it. So we need to consider something that will make a good tow car but can also still be the 'van' for hubbies work when he gets back.

So any advice on where to start, models of van and car which are well matched to our requirements, thing we need to think about e.g. insurance. Are there places you can go to 'practice' towing. How long does it take to set a van up on arrival - what do you need to do other than unhook it etc. Pointers to good books, websites etc. that might help.

Many thanks

Wendy


PersonWibsey
02/8/2015 at 10:48am
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 570 kia Sportage View Wibsey's Profile View Profile   Reply to Wibsey Reply   Quote Wibsey Quote  
Joined: 08/2/2014

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When we were deciding on a caravan and tow car, we went to lots of caravan dealers, did lots of making up beds, pretending we all needed to move around at the same time, we must have looked like right numptys!!

Out of all the dealers only 2 asked us what tow car we had, the 1st one then suggested we short listed a few caravans and a few tow cars. She then told us about online tow car matching websites.
So we ended up with our outfit. All I can say is, everyone has different needs, just choose a caravan layout that suits you best, from your post I was thinking rear island bed. Also remember there is no perfect van, I love ours but if we change I already want a transverse island bed next time.
As for tow car, again it depends what suits your everyday needs. I have a 4x4, but it is very handy when going onto my parents farm and in winter as we always get some snow, but I don't get mega MPG.
It really is a case of doing lots of research, speaking to people that have already done it, We went to a couple of shows where we met lots of people and even had a coffee and a good chat with one couple who even gave a list of good local sites, and as tent campers spoke to caravanners whilst on holiday.
Hope this helps a little.


PersonRay Clayton
02/8/2015 at 4:46pm
 Location: Ilkeston. Derbyshire
 Outfit: Disco 4 Unicorn Barcelona 4 View Ray Clayton's Profile View Profile   Reply to Ray Clayton Reply   Quote Ray Clayton Quote  
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Good van for a couple is the bailey senator indiana, fixed bed and you can pick up a series 6 from 7k onwards with all the kit, private. Coachman is also a good bet. Tow car wise the Senator is around 1280kg ul. and 1500kg laden. dont need a big 4x4 like i have, but you do need a good solid tow car.

As Wibsey says above go around the dealers see what you like, then look private, because the dealer will have put up to a couple k on top before you buy. And if you get a good private seller with all kit included, you can save pounds.

Hope this helps



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Cheers
Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4







Personnavver
02/8/2015 at 8:43pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2008

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It does sound as if a fixed bed is needed for larks and owls. We are like that and the fixed bed worked well. We had a Bailey Ranger 520/4 which is the same layout as the Senator Indiana, but about 200kg lighter. Just not as luxurious.

At the moment we have the dandy as we wanted to save money. It has 2 separate double beds, one fixed and one converting into a settee. Also has a 2 person dinette which stays in place overnight. Absolutely great for living space for our life style as we have a double bed each. The convertible one has space behind the settee back for pillows and sleeping bag so really easy and quick to convert. Downside no toilet or shower.

The fixed beds seem to come with either a small toilet/shower and a washbasin in the bedroom or a rear washroom with more space. I think the rear washroom will be better but needs a slightly longer/heavier van.

If you want something small you could go for a simple 2 berth with rear washroom. These have 2 long settees which will make into 2 decent single beds without too much fuss and of course they will serve as seats for the one who is up.

Sounds like you need to think about room for the dogs as well.


Personbilly
03/8/2015 at 7:06pm
 Location: North Essex
 Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400 View billy's Profile View Profile   Reply to billy Reply   Quote billy Quote  
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Galaxy is good towcar for large caravan. If you like it buy a newer car 2 or 2.2 litre diesel. If you are going out for that long then go down to southern France or Spain, diesel is only 80p litre now with good €/£ rate and campsite fees are generally much cheaper. Ferry fares on Dover route are not expensive, travel out and back early hours midweek and you should get car caravan return for under £150.


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PersonHairywol
04/8/2015 at 8:40pm
 Location: Teesside
 Outfit: Challenger Sport 524 + Volvo V90 D5 View Hairywol's Profile View Profile   Reply to Hairywol Reply   Quote Hairywol Quote  
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If you like the Galaxy you should consider getting another. 2 litre diesel is a fine tower, especially the higher tuned one. It's a good weight too, so the advisory 85% of the car's weight is what you're looking at for your caravan.

As far as a caravan goes, I think you should get the same model I've got. But so does everyone else!

I like Swifts, others hate 'em. Same for Elddis and Bailey. Truth is they're all pitched pretty equally for reliability I reckon.

There's no substitute for going round main caravan dealers and having a good poke around. I would take notes and phone pics as well, 'cos the first time I did this my head was swimming by the 12th 'van.

By poking around I mean exactly that. Don't be embarrassed by looking in all the cupboards and especially trying the beds or converting the sofas. The size of beds differs considerably.

Also, 'vans look big inside in the forecourt, just like show homes - 'cos there's nothing in them. Imagine what they'd be like with your dogs, food, wine and luggage in them.



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Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.


Personbigby56
10/8/2015 at 2:39pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View bigby56's Profile View Profile   Reply to bigby56 Reply   Quote bigby56 Quote  
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Hi wiseacs
You are my first post on this site! Congrats! When we started caravanning I read the caravan clubs advice re travelling as a first timer abroad, they said stick close to the ports, so we did, we went close to Marseille! Take your time plan ahead and go for it. France is full of space and great sites, enjoy and good luck.



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