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HI just need basic advice please.  Im moving on to a caravan for myself and 2 grandchildren 5 and 9  i have about 1.500 to buy one. things i need to know  Should i get a 4 berth and  what length. Also what to look for  faults or anything when buying one

  thankyou Eleanor 

At that figure you are looking at an early 90s van. There are plenty of well cared for dry ones about, it's just a question of avoiding the sponges.

Although a 4 berth would give you more beds, consider a 2 berth with a large front bed which can easily sleep two little ones and an adult - this would probably give you better/bigger kitchen and/or washroom facilities.

I do know of a 2 berth for sale in South Wales at £1,500 which I know has been well cared for, if you are interested please contact me via the Webmaster and I will put you in touch with the sellers. (Click on the contact us button in the top right corner of this page).

it depends on your definition of decent,a few years ago we bought a van for just under £1500 it was a 1989 Avondale Perle 5 berth,We kept her for over 3 years and enjoyed many comfortable holidays in her we sold her then for a £1000,there was some repairs done by friends of ours,but overall cost of maintaining the caravan was maximum £400 for the duration we had her :)

last year we spent £335.55p on a 1983 Sprite compact pop-up caravan that included 2 awnings 1 full and one porch plus all the accessories,We have spent £50 on maintanence but have already enjoyed over 15 nights away in her and its perfect.

If by 'decent' caravan you mean spending upwards of £8000 or £9000 I'd recommend that you use any high street bank's loan calculator and see how much you would have to pay a month,unless of course your mattress is stuffed with £20's

so £1500 in my opinion is good money for a decent van :) it won't be perfect but better than having a second mortgage

Hi Eleanor.

We are selling our 5 berth Elddis Tornado 5 berth caravan (see for sale ads 21 may)

The parallel seating at the front converts into a double bed and the l shaped seating at the back converts into another double bed, there is also a single bunk that fits at the back.

The van is in immaculate condition. The only problem is that we live in the Lakes.

If you are interested you could view while enjoying  a weekend in the Lake District!!

Kind regards

Kate

YES, It is enough so long as your not bothered with keeping up with the Jones'.

We had an excellent German Burstner for £800. 1985 Totally dry, (properly built, the makers said sealed for life and I would agree, you could even walk on the roof! Dont try that with a modern van), and quite well fitted, dated yes but actually looked ok.

It did have just cold water system, a shower (you put water from kettle into the tank) toilet 5 berths loads of power points, excellent cupboards etc. You can upgrade these old-uns to hot water but I wouldnt bother as most sites now have excellent wash rooms and washing-up areas.

The main problem with old vans, (forget the damp for a mo), is brittle plastics, you'll find averything snaps and cracks on an old model.

Another option, why not find a vintage caravan that has been restored, that way you'll still have Kudos and you'll have fun at the same time.

Good luck

By the way, time your purchase well, if you buy just before bank hols/ Easter/ summer etc you'll normally pay more due to demand, especially this year!

 We bought a 1992 ABI Dawnstar Prestige with everything (and I mean everthing!) apart from bedding included. The guy we bought it off was a coach-builder, had owned for twenty years and promised it was dry, I'd never heard of a damp meter. We've used it for several weekends already and set off next weekend for a fortnights touring. If we enjoy ourselves as much as we think we will then maybe we would go for a new model at the end of the year.

The caravan cost us £1500 and we found it on EBay....lifes good.

Andy.

We bought a 1991 Swift Challenger 5 berth off ebay a few weeks ago....a bit more at £2k but with awning, wheelclamp, stabiliser, freah/waste water, spare wheel etc and EVERYTHING we need to just go away. Its our first van just to try out. Previous owners were only the second and had kept it for years.

I'm not bothered what anyone else thinks, we're really enjoying it, had it serviced and checked over and its very dry for its age so you can get something good and usable in that price bracket.

Treating it to an overseal next week (£120) to keep the dreaded damp at bay.