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I think the only way the above brilliant advise would weaken is if you see a particular van and set your heart on it. Love is blind. Also, when you have been looking for ages and just want to get one sorted.

Don't let it get to you and stay open minded and strong. Be willing to walk away without one.

Quote: Originally posted by jallamjr on 28/8/2010

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Hi, £6,000 seems quite a lot to spend on your first caravan so  I am assuming you are  thinking about buying a brand new one. Unless you have towing experience and are confident about what your long-term requirements are I would recommend spending less on a used "starter" van to get a feel for caravanning and whether it is for you.

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I would advise you to look at a few caravans at dealers and seriously think about the layout and even the model you want. Then go online/buy an newspaper and find the same model of caravan  privately. Don't expect a used bargain if you go to a dealer, if it is  cheap it is probably shabby inside. Remember, you rarely get all the bits thrown in as people often sell off things like the awning before they part-ex their vans. We bought our latest caravan from a couple with grown-up children who went out 2 or 3 times a year. The caravan was immaculate and we got absolutely everything thrown in.

Above all, it is crucial to buy at the right time of the year and we are approaching it. Now it is  the end of the summer season a lot of people, like us in fact, will be looking to sell up rather than put their caravan into storage for the long winter. 

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Hi there,  I personally very much  agree with the comments above. I generally avoid buying anything from dealers anyway, and that's saved me several thousand pounds over the years. 

Those of us who buy privately do seem to be the minority of the folks who post here (?) but from what I've seen & heard a 2nd hand van from a dealer is no guarantee of getting a caravan free of problems, and no guarantee of getting them sorted to your satisfaction either - though of course you will have some protection under the law. You are guaranteed to pay a lot more than you would privately though !

Hi

I bought my first caravan after reading through this forum and taking in all the advice to newbie's

I bought mine private and the previous owner had it dealer serviced every year, he gave me all the service reports which shows if any dampness is found.

This was a big help and I knew I was buying a caravan which was looked after

I checked the van with a damp meter anyway just to make sure, another thing to be aware of is the weight of the carvan, so it matches the car you drive.

I was lucky found mine after looking at 2 others, both had damp, but you needed a meter to find it

Good luck

Thanks very much for all your help and advice.

We are indeed a family of four with two young children.

Our car is a Honda CRV petrol 2.0 litre 4x4.

It has a kerb weight of just over 1500kg so i hope we would be right in aiming for a caravan weighing upto 1000kg give or take a little bit.

We have towed large trailers before and although i have no doubt a caravan is a totally different ball game we do have basic towing experience.

We are trying to research everything in great depth but as with most things in life need and repect other people views and experiences.

Please feel free to offer any other advice which springs to mind and again thank you all for your kindness.

Many Thanks

Neil

Hi Neil

If your Honda CRV kerb weight is 1500Kg then it is similar to my Toyota Avensis Tourer kerbside weight at 1520kg with a towing weight of 1600kg.

We tow with no problems our Bailey Ranger GT60 520-4 at 1326kg and our Bailey Pageant Burgundy at 1400kg.

So your figure of 1000kg is not correct, suggest you check as you can tow similar weight to me (not sure of your Honda towing weight, but must also be simular)

Mike.

Don't do what I have done in the past with salespeople of any kind! He will be talking to you and then when he nips off for something I will say "he seems nice".

Well no, he is not nice! Don't think any are nice - they are the enemy to be fought with your willpower!

Kerb weight of 1500Kg means that you could be confident of a safe tow with a van up to an MTPLM of 1275Kg which would be an 85% match. So from 1000Kg to 1275Kg that gives you quite a range of vans/layouts etc to have a good look at.

You comment that "We are trying to research everything in great depth ".....Good for you...a lesson to all newbies

Have fun. I see you are in Yorkshire......Lowdhams - Huddersfield; Kenmore Dewsbury; Wandahome - Hull; Yorkshire Coast Caravans - Bridlington.....Catterick Caravans - Catterick Bridge. Just no end of fun places to visit on a damp Bank Hioliday Sunday.

Get your self along to the Lawns at Cottingham for the Caravan Extravaganza next Saturday or Sunday. That will give you food for thought.

http://www.lawnsandbeaulieushows.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=10

Phil

Thank you again for your kind help!

I live in Leeds,West Yorkshire and yes there seems to be quite a few dealers around the area.

One dealer i have seen online is "Catterick Caravans" which we will take a look at in a few days.

Has anyone any experince with dealer around Yorkshire at all please?

All the best

Neil

Kenmore, Lowdhams, Catterick, Yorkshire Coast all very friendly in my experience

Catterick caravans have an exhibition on from the 19th to 26th September

http://www.caravan-shows.co.uk/

Phil

I think there's a Bailey dealer called Reads Caravans in Leeds, there's also Dickinsons caravans in Bradford.

We used to take a notebook and tape measure with us, sounds daft but you forget what youve looked at.  Prices can vary so much from one dealer to another its worth making a note if you see something you like.

Also, ask whats included in their start up pack for new caravanners, and make a note of it, that too varies from dealer to dealer, Some dont even offer one. And the price in the window is  just a starting point - negotiate hard!

Happy hunting.

Think about having a motor mover fitted, especially if you need to move it up and down your drive.

Phil

We went away with caravanning friends for the first weekend away.  It was really helpful.  It will be a tetchy experience so don't be put off.  My husband has only just recovered from the first weekend with the awning - so maybe go without an awning for the first trip.

Good luck - take lots of wine!