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Hi

I am hoping that someone can point us in the right direction regarding our first purchase of a caravan.  We currently have a Toyota Hiace camper van that we love but as hubby had a heart atttack last year we are considering moving to a caravan, putting the roof up and lifting the portaloo in and out and packing and unpacking everything is getting a bit too much. We only need a two berth and we both think that a large bathroom is a waste of space but would like a small bathroom with shower.  Do we go for fixed bed or not?  We have seen a Lunar Chateau that we like as it would give us the choice of leaving the bed made up or packing away for a second eating/sitting area.  Has anyone any views on the Lunar Chateau or any other suggestions!  Went round a few caravan sales places at the weekend and other than deciding that we don't want something too big we really are at a quandry as to what to buy.  Your help and advice would be appreciated.  We live in Barnsley, South Yorkshire so would also appreciate suggestions as to where to go to buy.  We are probably looking at a used caravan.

Many thanks - Carol

Must admit the lazy side of me does favour a fixed bed and even though we only have a small campervan I do leave the bed made up in the good weather when we can sit in the awning or outside to eat and relax.

Thanks for the advice about the washroom it does make sense that too small may be too small and quite useless.  I think what I don't want though is one of those that have a carpeted dressing area cos that is what I think is the waste of space.  The ones we saw at the weekend had a carpeted area between the shower cubicle and the toilet and sink room.  Can't be used to store anything as it would block entry to shower etc and takes up valuable space that surely could be put to better use.

Silly question but how do I look for damp.  Please don't say that you can smell it cos I have been unable to smell or taste anything since December and I am waiting to go and see a specialist to get sorted.  Not sure I would rely on hubby to notice, "sorry Jack".  I remember when I first met him and visited his flat and noticed a strong smell of damp in one of the rooms - he had lived there for two years and had not even noticed, he had not even noticed the visible black patch on one wall!  I must admit that I am a bit worried that most caravans have this problem.  Oh dear should we just stick with our little van!  But we can only do that for a couple more years before we need to consider changing van or changing to a caravan - oh the decisions! Then someone told me that they had ended up with winter visitors in the form of mice one year!!! 

Oh well I guess I will have a good look round and take the plunge when I find something that says "buy me!"

Thanks for replies

Carol

Without wishing to add to your predicament, since changing from a tent to a caravan recently, I personally can't think of anything worse than a caravan for someone with heart problems. At least with a motorhome you don't have to worry half as much about weight, towing, snaking, tyre pressures, damp, wheels falling off, vibrating extension mirrors, reversing, trying to hitch up without breaking your back, jockey wheels falling down in transit, number plates falling off, indicators failing, cracked front panels, cleaning fluids, suspension, brakes, steadies...and I'm sure I've missed many other things that seem to worry the living daylights out of many caravan owners...

...have you thought about a static...or B&B?

I like the look of both the Lunar Chateau and the Adria Altea 432PX thanks for pointing that one out to me.  I now need to find a dealer that has them so that I can have a look at both.

Whilst hubby has had a heart attack, he has also had an operation to 'fix' the problem and should return to almost full health.  But it was the problem with having to do everything my self (particulary the heavy jobs) that made us consider a caravan and of course the ease at which you can drive away in the car.  We do use a drive away awning but it gets a bit of a pain moving things out of the van into the awning - its almost like packing up to go and the same on return to site.  We do intend to have a mover fitted so moving a caravan should not be such a problem.  MInds you the list of Bob's does concern me - come on all you successful caravanners - tell me he's wrong and that caravanning is easy!

Right back to work!  Oh and I will have a look at the Bailey - a friend who has another model Bailey remains very impressed in his third year of ownership.

Thanks again for your responses.

Carol

The lunar chateau seems to have a good name for build quality. The thing I didnt like about it was the sink/drainer (lack of drainer)

Regards

Robin

Quote: Originally posted by robin52 on 18/4/2007

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The lunar chateau seems to have a good name for build quality. The thing I didnt like about it was the sink/drainer (lack of drainer)

Regards

Robin

Thanks for this - you know I never noticed when I saw one on Sunday.  Thats the problem when you have a look round you only see the thing as a whole so to speak.  Will bear this in mind and have another look.

 

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Spent four months looking in shows etc. Narrowed choice to three and then really went over all the details with a fine toothcomb having previously let enthusiasm rule our heads!!

Sound advice - I think we will take our time over this and not panic buy because we see something that we think we want and don't want it to be sold before we have made our minds up.

The switch to caravan is a good idea - but DO get a motor mover fitted.  This is vital especially if you're going for a good sized van.  The manoeuvring once on site - putting onto wedges to level etc. pulling the van off wet grass or mud with a car is not always possible especially single handed.  The layout inside is almost immaterial once you have the mover.  With your OH's health issues I would suggest you go for something which you will have little to do inside when setting up or living in.  Our fixed bed is a godsend - we will be looking for a twin bedded model next though, nightly visits to the loo are becoming more frequent and getting over each other does not fill either of us with quite the same frissance that it used to....

Glad you think it is a good idea and yes we have decided that a mover is of prime importance.  Do you know I didn't think about the logistics of getting in and out of bed but this is a good point!  In our campervan we both exit the bed at the bottom so consequently we don't have to clamber over each other in the middle of the night.  This is definately somethig to take into consideration.  And whilst we keep telling ourselves that putting a bed away everyday is not a problem it is different when you are actually doing it every day.

Must go time to go home but thanks for taking time to give me some valuable advice.

Cheers