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Subject Topic: Buying our first Caravan advice and help
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via mobile 30/7/2023 at 2:42pm
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: Anantara 650XL TC
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So you have a Motorhome and Caravan Tina?

Congrats on the new purchase, new or second hand?


via mobile 30/7/2023 at 3:29pm
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB
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Thank you, yes, we have both at the moment motorhome is a 2019 Chausson Titanium with rear island bed but we are selling the caravan.

Tina


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30/7/2023 at 3:55pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
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Quote: Originally posted by gari on 29/7/2023
I was a bit dubious about Tyrepal (some have trouble linking the sensors) but it works really well.

....



I was a little concerned about radio link range, but on the only trip I've done so far, which was near 600 mile round trip in some pretty foul weather, it was faultless. Had no trouble linking the sensors to the base unit, process is a little bit of a faff, but clearly explained in instructions.


30/7/2023 at 3:55pm
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser
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Quote: Originally posted by Leebroth on 30/7/2023
Yes she said they would charge 700 for the Solar panel and there was a few to consider as per roof measurements.

Has anyone had any bad experiences with the ALKO ATC, the lady was trying to put us off this saying it works against you and can at times be annoying.

Is it sort of like lane guidance on new cars when you try changing lane without indicating, when the caravan decides to move one way the ATC kicks in and pushes it back?

Thanks to everyone by the way who are replying, it is much appreciated and extremely helpful. As first time buyers we are so novice at this :)



I think £700 for a solar panel fitment is a ridiculous price and as for her remarks regarding ATC I would go to another dealer who has more knowledge. If this what it is like prior to the sale I would be terrified of their aftersales service.


via mobile 30/7/2023 at 3:58pm
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: Anantara 650XL TC
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Nice

We have changed our mind regarding the Sprite, after looking at more versions. We found the Challenger 670 SE has all the equipment, and the layout which suits us better. Pretty sure it’s just at the mark of weight leaving a few KG for adding to the caravan. We have 2 children and having a fixed bed and bunks at the back, then washroom in middle is great!

Solar Panel, Alarm ATKO ATC and a few other extras

Cost is above our budget, so another reason to save and wait till next year….just hope there isn’t a large price increase for 2024. The models might even be a better


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30/7/2023 at 8:24pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo
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The ATC puts the brake on one caravan wheel if it detects unequal movement each side to prevent it snaking.

Going along in the slow lane one wheel may touch the edge of the lorry groove and feel like a snake. The brake will go on slightly giving you a little tug.

Similarly, a site we go to has a speed hump which is at an angle across the road. One wheel feels resistance so the brake goes on a bit. This tends to cause the engine to still if going over at tick over speed only, as I do as it is an uncomfortable feeling as one side goes up then the other.

Once you get used to the little occasional tugs it is reassuring to know that it is there watching over you. Never had a full scale snake as it's only a small van.

I would say don't worry about it.


31/7/2023 at 8:04am
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser
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Quote: Originally posted by Leebroth on 30/7/2023
Nice

We have changed our mind regarding the Sprite, after looking at more versions. We found the Challenger 670 SE has all the equipment, and the layout which suits us better. Pretty sure it’s just at the mark of weight leaving a few KG for adding to the caravan. We have 2 children and having a fixed bed and bunks at the back, then washroom in middle is great!

Solar Panel, Alarm ATKO ATC and a few other extras

Cost is above our budget, so another reason to save and wait till next year….just hope there isn’t a large price increase for 2024. The models might even be a better



Expect an increase of about £3-4k!


31/7/2023 at 9:11am
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Am I missing something here, don't see a Challenger with bunks let alone at the rear.

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XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.


31/7/2023 at 9:28am
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: Anantara 650XL TC
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Really…..that much?

The lady at the event said roughly 3-5% for 2024

Post last edited on 31/07/2023 09:32:32


31/7/2023 at 9:42am
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser
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Quote: Originally posted by Leebroth on 31/7/2023
Really…..that much?

The lady at the event said roughly 3-5% for 2024

Post last edited on 31/07/2023 09:32:32



And you still believe her? She has given you a lot of false information so I would ignore her mutterings. I am going by past increases in the past 3 years. Our current top of the range caravan bought in 2018 is now £13000 more in price so about £2.5k a year increase.


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via mobile 31/7/2023 at 11:32am
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: Anantara 650XL TC
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Wow…ok

Urghhh think we are still waiting till next year but a 3-4k increase is a bit annoying

at blueexpo97
Yes the challenger 670 SE has the fixed bed and bunks on right side at rear


31/7/2023 at 12:31pm
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Ah so it's actually a Challenger Grande 670 then.

-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.


31/7/2023 at 6:13pm
 Location: Scotland
 Outfit: Anantara 650XL TC
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Hi all, we are on the brink of just going for it now, rather than wait till next year

Does everyone think, which includes Ian, that prices will rise next year about £3-4k

And also, are Caravans holding their value yearly?


31/7/2023 at 7:24pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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I'd say that £3 - £4K rise is anybody's guess. Personally I think you are really brave in going for a brand new caravan as a first caravan, but then I speak as someone whose caravan didn't even cost £3k to begin with. Its not our first caravan either.

We paid £1,100 for our current caravan and we are now on our 6th year with it. As for holding their value, new ones probably lose quite a bit in their first year, whereas caravans like ours would probably sell for more than we paid for it, just as our last one did. That one cost us £500 and we had it for 4 years and sold it for a small profit.


-------------
Best Regards,
Colin


01/8/2023 at 7:32am
 Location: Worcestershire
 Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser
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As per Colin21, many of us started by buying a cheapish second hand caravan to try it out and then to decide the layout which layout would suit us best.

You will lose a bit when trading it in, but better than buying a brand new caravan and finding out the layout does not suit you and losing thousands trading it in.

Even if you order now the chances of having it delivered before winter sets in are remote. The other thing is that once delivered you should use it as much as possible within the first 6 months in case there are issues with it and there will be issues.

Remember if there is a serious flaw within the first 30 days you can reject the caravan outright and get a full refund. After the first 30 days and within 6 months you have to give the dealer one chance at a repair before rejecting the caravan. In 6 months from today it is mid winter!

Probably better to order later in the year for delivery in April next year and if possible use Hire purchase to finance part of the payment to cover yourselves.



01/8/2023 at 7:39am
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: Lunar Delta TS 2017
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Also, think about bunk beds too, not sure how old your kids are, but they will grow and how long will they fit in a bunk bed?
I would go second hand route too. So many people during covid bought vans and then decided it wasn’t for them, so there are a lot of vans a couple of years old that are like new. A van will lose money like a car as soon as you drive it off the forecourt.
We bought a secondhand van from a dealer and realised we’d made a big mistake with the layout and hated it, it was very claustrophobic. We then saw another van at the same dealer and even though we’d only had it a couple of months he would only pay us trade money so would have lost about 3k. Please don’t rush into anything as it’s a lot of your hard earned money. Don’t forget all the extras like, insurance, servicing and storage if you need it. Good luck.

-------------
Claire and Colin






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