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 Hi we are considering  getting a caravan after many years of camping but we are on a very very tight budget  £1000  all in,( please dont laugh). We are aware of  the towing weight and would like to get as much as possible for our money,it is literally like lokking for a needdle in a haystack though, any suggestions would be very helpful.  Caravan only for 2 and 2 dogs so extra porch awning would be ideal to dry dogs off in before entering the caravan.

 We have looked at afew from a well known web site but have been bitterly dissapointed and would like any suggestions for more places to have alook. also tried preloved , uk campsite ,and gumtree ....help please?

many thanks

Have a look at your local free ads etc, you may find a local bargain especially if you can find one with battery, gas bottle, step etc included.

Do you have a tow bar already or is that part of your budget?

Rob

 Hi guys thanks for the replies , yes we had a large trailer when camping to carry all our stuff in  although the car was still packed to the raffters as well, so towing brackst is on we had a quick look at a dealers today in wigan  and saw a few different layouts , we like the look lof the l shape lounge for us but i think that will be one for the future, we also saw another of the web today and how they can ask the money they do  we'll never know.

Also can i ask if a deformation  in the ceiling is this a significant problem or  not and is some damp depending on were it is easy to sort out ? cluelss at the moment !

A friend of ours went to Glossop Caravans one Saturday morning and fortunately for them, a 4 berth had just come in, hadn't been cleaned or inspected - they let him have it for less than £1000 - very lucky indeed, had it been us then probably we'd have had no chance

There are vans out there, just have to keep looking - Keep pestering Stewart Longtons, you never know what might come in.  It took us over 3 years to find ours

Carole

Don't rush, don't be pressured, take your time. Buy yourself a cheap damp meter, check all vans around windows, doors, corners, under the seats. Alot of 2nd hand caravans have some damp, if you are a handy person a tiny amount of damp isn't two hard to rectify, but there are compltely dry vans out there. When viewing a caravan, sit inside, clse the door and imagine you were away, do you fell at home, does the layout suit, if not, move on to the next, you will know when you have found the right one. We got ours, and all the kit and managed, includng porch and full awning for under a grand. We had a tiny bit of damp in the toilet area which was easily rectified, the rest of the van was fine.

You will love caravaning, happy hunting.

Well we appear to have found our needle ! Now the owners of a Abi Dawnstar 2 berth with full awning  battery water carriers,step,hitch lock and spare wheel for the grand total of  £800.00.  A few bits and pieces to tidy up and some new boarding to do in the bathroom ( dads a joiner and hubby a ceramic wall and floor tiler ) so hopefully between them they know what there doing.! Cant wait to get a way in a couple of weeks now for a weekend.

Will still be asking lots of questions.