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Subject Topic: I know you cant make my decision but ....
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09/9/2010 at 8:14am
 Location: Warwickshire
 Outfit: Bailey Senator Indiana
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we recently bought a Toyota Granvia 2 birth (but only sleeps one of us really) and added an awning to give us some more space in the day and where OH sleeps.
It started off well, bit of a novelty I suppose and the first trip we used it we had actually already booked a week in a cottage so we combined the two.

We Loved it! Out all day without a worry about where to stop to eat or brew up!

Using it for weekends, however, has been a different experience. Whilst I like the idea of it, the reality is I find it all a bit of a faff and seems to take so long getting ready to go and then before I have relaxed its time to pack it up again! And If I am honest, although I am no-one special and not a descendant of Mrs Bouquet, I really am not keen on using the communal showers and loos. So logically, we need a vehicle with shower room and ideally a fixed bed to make the weekend seem longer.

I know I am a pain, ask my OH he will tell you!!!

So here is the dilemma:

We have offer of Bailey Senata Indiana 4 berth with all the extras that we will need from a colleague at work. It has hardly been used (2009) and she wants about £12K for it. This will clean us out of all our savings and more so its a bit of a tricky decision....... She has a static which she visits every weekend (lucky girl!) and says it keeps her sane after the madness of work. Her bailey has since become redundant for her really.

Now that Bailey sounds like my idea of glamping!

The caravan layout in itself isn't a problem, it would be lovely to have it. Although only snag is the weight for towing - if we could find a similar layout without the weight it would be magic!   Its "Mrs Picky" here who has trouble finding a site. No point in having the caravan if I sit on my drive in it all summer!

Ideally I would like to use it most weekends on a site that is adult only, or very quiet.    Has storage facilities and also pitches so that I only pay storage and pitch price at weekend. I looked into seasonal but an expensive way to go. Unless any of you experienced caravanners have any better ideas????

Does anyone know of a site round about an hour drive from Coventry/Nuneaton area that you think would fit Mrs Picky here?

Also, this caravan has everything we love, fixed bed end washroom, feels spacious . I have trawled the internet for weeks now and its more difficult than choosing our house!! Has anyone any ideas about a caravan that would have this set up but isn't quite as long or heavy?

Such a long post..... sorry.... did warn you I was a pain!

Thanks very much.... I know somebody will find an answer for us..............................



09/9/2010 at 8:33am
 Location: Bolton Lancs
 Outfit: Tent & Toyota Granvia
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Right, first-off I have to admit that I have absolutely no idea about caravan weights etc - I don't 'do' technical - so I may be missing something, but I have to ask why the weight would be a problem? What size engine is in the Granvia? - I'm assuming it's 3.0, in which case it should tow the caravan no problem. Someone I knew at work used to have a 3.0 Granvia - an ordinary one like mine, not a conversion - and it towed her 27ft twin-axle caravan with no trouble at all.

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Tigermouse


I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental


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09/9/2010 at 8:39am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
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There are some lovely sites in Derbsyhire ..Not far from Cov/Nuneaton - Not sure if they are Adults only but i'm sure there must be one or 2 about.

As for the caravan i have had the same problem as our car won't pull a heavy van...I have scoured the internet for days but the more you look the more you come across one or 2 manufactureres that will suit you..

I did...off to view in about an hour...

Good Luck..



09/9/2010 at 8:44am
 Location: Warwickshire
 Outfit: Bailey Senator Indiana
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Hi Tigermouse,

We did think about the Granvia but thought it a bit greedy and unnecessary to have the two?? Although in my dreams a caravan on a fixed site and the Granvia for day trips would be great but my surname isn't Beckham lol!!

I just wondered about loading up. I guess we keep the granvia empty and use it like a car and load the caravan?

Boy have we a lot to learn!

Love your granvia by the way .. artwork is brill!

Did you get your mirrors?


09/9/2010 at 9:00am
 Location: Bolton Lancs
 Outfit: Tent & Toyota Granvia
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It wouldn't be greedy having the two, it would be having the best of both worlds! lol. If you can work out the weight ratios you'll have a great set-up.

I've been running round in mine since Tuesday last week with everything packed in and the bed still made up - no point unpacking it when I'm away again this weekend!

Yes thanks, I did get the mirrors. I went back yesterday to where I went last Saturday and asked the advice of an older and more experienced assistant. He took one look at my Granvia mirrors and came back with just the right towing mirrors to fit - and at only £13.99 each not exactly expensive either.

Thanks for the compliment about the artwork, it took a lot of patience to get it all straight! I've also got a big eagle on the bonnet, the same as in the Townace pic, and two small eagles on the back. It's nice to be a bit different! lol



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Tigermouse


I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental


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09/9/2010 at 9:43am
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Try Lickhill caravan park in Stourport on Severn or Redstone Caravan park in Stourport on Severn. The latter offer 11 months on site and storage for the one month. Stourport is about an hour's drive from Coventry and is to the west of Worcester. I am fairly sure that Redstone may have a vacancy at present.
Both the above sites can be found by doing a "camp site search" on UKCS.


09/9/2010 at 11:57am
 Location: Fife
 Outfit: Adria Adiva 552PH
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Try looking here for adult only sites

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=122

 



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Mine's a Pint!


09/9/2010 at 11:57am
 Location: SOUTH YORKSHIRE
 Outfit: 2010 Bailey GT60 540 6 Kia Sorento
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Have you been to caravan club sites? Ive recently tried these & personally love them!! They sound like all you'd want, i'm sure Mrs bouquet would be happy to stay there (not that i'm like Mrs bouquet ).

 



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09/9/2010 at 3:59pm
 Location: WEST LOTHIAN
 Outfit: COACHMAN 460 2
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if you shop around you could get a static for that kind of money especially at this time of year,and you could have your site fees for not that much more than a seasonal pitch depending where you go,you could mrs bouquet to your hearts delight with nice plants and pots adorning your decking and if your lucky enough you could have one already pitched away from kids play areas,plenty space to swan around ,obviously your one off fee for static covers storage problem as well since you cant tow it off site!!!!!!,worth thinking about ,we done it and actually paid £5000 cheaper than our last new caravan,its like buying a house with statics you either like them or dont and remember you can do the decor too your own taste and use it as much as you like,unfortunately due to finances we had to give up our static last year and have ended up with a wee tourer,and i very much miss the luxury of it all,back to emptying loos and waste barrels ,however if the choice and finances differ in the future there will be a static on the agenda ,good if you prefer one place,good luck with your choice ,its fun i suppose whatever way you go

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wynnie


09/9/2010 at 4:01pm
 Location: WEST LOTHIAN
 Outfit: COACHMAN 460 2
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ps it also doesnt matter what car you have as there is no towing involved,so there is no issue with car size etc,just another plus for static,not everyones way to go i agree but another option

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wynnie


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09/9/2010 at 4:11pm
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Whatever you do avoid buying a static as there are more horror stories than good stories.


09/9/2010 at 4:49pm
 Location: Bolton Lancs
 Outfit: Tent & Toyota Granvia
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See this recent thread on statics - if you have an endless supply of money that's fine, but if finances are tight then not to be reccommended. http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=8&TopicID=228221&SearchPagePosition=1&search=static+caravan&searchMode=phrase&searchIn=Topic&forum=8&searchSort=dateDESC&ReturnPage=Search

-------------
Tigermouse


I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental


09/9/2010 at 6:52pm
 Location: Warwickshire
 Outfit: Bailey Senator Indiana
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Hello
Thank you everyone for your input. A lot to consider. I have looked at the links you have suggested and dismissed a static from the info offered.

Have just had insurance quote and that coupled with the campervan costs seems to be pushing us to the limit.
Then storage, pitch fees, .............. hmmmmmm can't decide

Might be easier to have a new van with lower spec to reduce capital outlay and insurance. Been quoted £249 pa with £150 excess just for basic van no items listed such as awning, bottles, tv etc.

Then if we get it now the weather isn't so good so will it just sit winking at us until the sun comes out .......................... blimey I didn't know trying to relax could be such hard work lol

Thanks again for help.



10/9/2010 at 12:47am
 Location: Gloucester
 Outfit: Range Rover 3.9 Eifelland 500TK
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Why will it 'sit winking at us til the sun comes out'??
There's nothing better than being tucked up in our van in the wildest of weather, away from home, work, the phone, the kids(hopefully!), the diy....... Who cares about the weather, vans are for use all year round. We perhaps use ours more out of the summer peak, pitch fees are cheaper, CC site shower blocks are almost cleaner than the one at home as well! As for quiet, you don't need adult only sites for that, we've just got back from Chapel Lane in August, the place was as quiet as anything, just down the road from you as well (and they do storage).
Pete.


10/9/2010 at 9:06am
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The reason why the first premium is so high is because you don't have any no claims bonus on the caravan.
I am assuming that you told them that you had a wheel and hitchlock and it was stored on a CASSOA storage site as that all helps reduce the premium. Ask the insurance company what helps to redcue the premium.
Have you tried Caravan Club for a quote? The Indiana is a very nice caravan.


10/9/2010 at 9:47am
 Location: Warwickshire
 Outfit: Bailey Senator Indiana
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Thanks Pete. Looked at Chapel Lane after your suggestion and it looked just what we were after. Gave them a ring and the storage is £500 pa, they are full and have a long waiting list.
Nice try though - getting closer to what we want so haven't given up yet.

My favourite site so far is Daisy Bank Touring Park near Powys. It looks lovely, is adult only, beautiful setting and does storage. Sadly it is a bit too far for a Saturday/Sunday stop but would be good for a week I think.

Thats the sort of place I am dreaming of to find for the weekends...................................



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