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Subject Topic: OH wants a van.
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28/4/2012 at 6:14pm
 Location: Highlands
 Outfit: 1983 CI Europa 5 berth
View daveroughley's Profile View Profile   Reply to daveroughley Reply   Quote daveroughley Quote  
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Hi all. A dedicated tent camper is now being forced into considering a caravan by my better half. By considering, I obviously mean were getting one.
As the only van I've ever towed was my parents folder many many moons ago I thought I'd ask for advice.
We're looking for a 4/5 berth cheap as chips ( and I mean cheap ).
The main reason for the change from canvas to tin tent is our baby. She's 2 and recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This means the cold plays havoc with her blood glucose levels. I've bought her decent sleepings bags/ tent fan heaters etc etc. but oh is still not convinced.
What van would you recommend to tow with a 2.4 td Toyota previa.

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September 27th. I'm going away. Don't care where. Just going!!!!


28/4/2012 at 6:28pm
 Location:  Surrey
 Outfit: Peugeot Boxer Utah + Lunar Ariva
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Have you been onto the diabetesuk site to ask advice on it as there may be others who are in the same boat. It surely cannot be only about diet on that site as it was one we went onto when diagnosed D,2. We live in sheltered acc. and our wardens husband is d1 also. He used to camp in all things but never a tin top as he has never had one.Problem with the little people they have in their foodstuff things that you have to watch for and also have to keep an eye on others giving them things without realising they must not have it. Advice from more that really know is a must. Have you checked our search button see if any members have said anything  before. I wil have a look around see if I can see anything/one. Check diabetis uk though

www.diabetes.org./uk

email...info at diabetes.org.uk

 

www.diabetes.org.uk/



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Chrissie

Be Strong-Think positive.


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28/4/2012 at 6:33pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Kampa Hayling 4
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Hi Dave, diebetes aside, would you still have van do you think? Or is OH ready for a change?



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Are you sure you've read the instructions?


28/4/2012 at 6:33pm
 Location: Highlands
 Outfit: 1983 CI Europa 5 berth
View daveroughley's Profile View Profile   Reply to daveroughley Reply   Quote daveroughley Quote  
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Hi beanpark. Our wee one is type 1. We follow her diabetic regime to the letter camping or not. I can see the point of a caravan in this case. Being off the ground and wind proof etc.
I'm not against a caravan by any means. However being a life long tent person I simply know nothing about caravans.

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September 27th. I'm going away. Don't care where. Just going!!!!


28/4/2012 at 6:37pm
 Location: Highlands
 Outfit: 1983 CI Europa 5 berth
View daveroughley's Profile View Profile   Reply to daveroughley Reply   Quote daveroughley Quote  
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Hmm am I ready for a change.
I think so. Just swapped my beloved mondeo 2l tdci for a Toyota previa that's 11 yrs older. Only for the space/ seat config and it has a tow bar.


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September 27th. I'm going away. Don't care where. Just going!!!!


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28/4/2012 at 6:56pm
 Location: Berkshire
 Outfit: No current outfit
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Hi, not sure what your max towing weight is but I would look a something with a double dinette layout where you have a the option of a bed at either end with the kitchen and bathroom been either side in the middle of the van. We have this layout and it works well as most vans of this design will have a slide out partition that allows you to close of the back section......so ideal for children. This means mum and dad can have the other end and still watch TV / eat dinner in the evening without waking up the children. It works well for our 17 month old and you should be able to find several vans with this layout as it used to be very popular.


28/4/2012 at 7:22pm
 Location: whitstable kent
 Outfit: sterling eccles sport 584 freelander 2
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Bailey ranger 500/5 are nice roomy vans with that layout, you can get old ones and newer ones :)
I think you will like it when you have one , and I can see the reason behind changing .

-------------
"I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.


28/4/2012 at 7:33pm
 Location: Highlands
 Outfit: 1983 CI Europa 5 berth
View daveroughley's Profile View Profile   Reply to daveroughley Reply   Quote daveroughley Quote  
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Thanks for the suggestions. What about a sprite musketeer. Looks like a good starter van.

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September 27th. I'm going away. Don't care where. Just going!!!!


28/4/2012 at 7:33pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Kampa Hayling 4
View adandemsmom's Profile View Profile   Reply to adandemsmom Reply   Quote adandemsmom Quote  
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I don't think you'll regret it

The 4/5 berth models with a bed at either end work well. This way you can divide the end bedroom at night when your little one is asleep.

If you say roughly what you budget is I'm sure someone will be able to advise on makes/models. We've vanned and camped over the years but our days under canvas are now over. Loved camping  whilst we did it but we just love the van.



-------------
Are you sure you've read the instructions?


28/4/2012 at 7:40pm
 Location: Highlands
 Outfit: 1983 CI Europa 5 berth
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To be honest. With the little one newely diagnosed ad all the hospital trips etc. our budget has gone into minus. You have to understand that our nearest hospital is 50 mile away and where our baby was transferred too was 200 mile away. Pls understand from someone that has had to take a cut in hours to look after the family. Budget is bare minimum. I'm prepared to work on an old van. Floors etc.
Just need ideas

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September 27th. I'm going away. Don't care where. Just going!!!!


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28/4/2012 at 8:14pm
 Location: whitstable kent
 Outfit: sterling eccles sport 584 freelander 2
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What age are you looking at, and if I may ask your budget, my sister has just bought a sprite musketeer, 1992 four berth, it's lovely, she paid £950 and got loads of stuff with it, ok it doesn't have an oven but hey she's a rubbish cook Lol, but when I saw it I though wow, it has a double at the front, and bunks at the back, it really looks nice.

-------------
"I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.


28/4/2012 at 8:19pm
 Location: whitstable kent
 Outfit: sterling eccles sport 584 freelander 2
View murano's Profile View Profile   Reply to murano Reply   Quote murano Quote  
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Abi sprinters are nice too, and marauders, what about an elddis cyclone,tornado,hurricane , lunar microns, bailey pageant de ville.

-------------
"I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.


28/4/2012 at 8:19pm
 Location: Highlands
 Outfit: 1983 CI Europa 5 berth
View daveroughley's Profile View Profile   Reply to daveroughley Reply   Quote daveroughley Quote  
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We're just getting ideas at the min murano. To be honest travelling 400 mile every 2 days has wiped us out. It'll be quite a few months before we're in any financial situation to buy a van. I'm just looking for ideas for a good light starter van

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September 27th. I'm going away. Don't care where. Just going!!!!


28/4/2012 at 8:31pm
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: Nevada3 Evo 600DL Andorra Elzas
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http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/uk/ some useful info there ( not camping related though ). Hopefully you've been advised re additional help like DLA etc for children with type 1.



-------------
Christine

2014
April -
BunRoy Fort William 3 sleeps
April / May
Invercaimbe Arisaig 4 sleeps
Bleatarn Brampton tbc July


28/4/2012 at 8:35pm
 Location: Highlands
 Outfit: 1983 CI Europa 5 berth
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Hi hlk. Yeah we've kinda got the Dla sorted now. It's such a worry taking her abroad. And to be honest I'm reluctant to take her camping in the cold tent. I simply feel a caravan would benefit her.

-------------
September 27th. I'm going away. Don't care where. Just going!!!!


28/4/2012 at 8:46pm
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: Nevada3 Evo 600DL Andorra Elzas
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Quote: Originally posted by daveroughley on 28/4/2012
Hi hlk. Yeah we've kinda got the Dla sorted now. It's such a worry taking her abroad. And to be honest I'm reluctant to take her camping in the cold tent. I simply feel a caravan would benefit her.


Glad to hear that, it's bad enough having one of your loved ones suffer with an illness and then to have money worried lumped in on top. Got some experience of that and got nowhere so nice to hear it's working out. Good luck with the van search I'm sure the right thing will find you.


-------------
Christine

2014
April -
BunRoy Fort William 3 sleeps
April / May
Invercaimbe Arisaig 4 sleeps
Bleatarn Brampton tbc July



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