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We have been camping a number of times over the past few years and have quite a good tent.

However, we were looking into getting a caravan at some point and was wondering what we could spend on our "first"?  Money is a little tight but we are willing to do a little work if need be.

Kelly

 just like the layout everyone is different, and ofcourse budget is the deciding factor, just like grumbleflick we had a budget and went over, we were going to buy a van for around 500 pound just to try it out, never been vanning before so we may not have liked it, then saw what we would be getting for our money had a chat and decided that we had to get a van with all the mod cons so we could give it a fair crack of the whip, (i know all the whistles and bells aint true camping but it makes for a comfortable stay) we blew our budget, and kept our Abbey Oxford for 4 years until trading the beauty in last year, thing to do is look around a few at dealers if you can in your price range get a feel for them and the layouts,and what genrally happens is you will sit down in one and both say yup this is the one. just make sure you can get it checked for damp, and all should be fine all the best in your search. 

When we started we looked at some utter rubbish that I wouldn't have kept chickens in damp smelly and horrible most of them were at dealers but undeturred we kept on looking getting the admag every week 

We found our first van it was a Crown 17/4 and we got an awning, portapotti,water & waste barrels with it and some other bits and bobs it was a private sale it was 19 years old the whole lot for £1500

I know it seems expensive for such an old van but oh loved it from the moment she walked in it so that was it we bought it and have never looked back

The right van will be out there somewhere for you it might just take a little bit of time to find it good luck with your search

Like you we have camped for years and decided to buy a caravan a few onths ago.  We decide that our budget was £2000 and we would not go above it.  After looking around many secondhand caravan dealers we soon realised by putting our budget up by £500 we were able to get so much more for our money.  We came away with a 2 berth lunar clubman with a rear washroom for £2495 and are very pleased with our purchase.  When we started looking we had no pre-concieved ideas about layout and looked at lots of different ones, but now we have a rear end washroon and area for dressing I would always look for this in future vans if we ever upgrade!

Good luck with your search!!

if you avoid the peak seasons caravans on ebay can cost next to nothing, mine was 135 with awning etc and a 40 mile drive away so I bought it sight unseen in june. the local free ads type papers are a good place to hunt down bargains too, It may pay you to hang on until after the school holidays now as prices go up over the summer.

We are on a really tight budget, so our first caravan was a 1987 abi rallyman, we paid £350 for it from ebay, and spent around £200 on it to make it nice, ie new cushions and an awaning.

We have now just brought our second caravan which is a bailey pageant 1992, i am so excited, it cost us £2350

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5232-2978-1/1?AID=9479574&PID=1428744&mpre=http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem&ih=010&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=%26item%3D200117871578&rd=1&rd=1

We have just got married and wanted to take the a newer caravan to scotland for our honeymoon.

Kelly

If money is a little tight, as it often is, just be sure you are aware of the total cost of setting up to become caravanners.  Some of the extra costs might surprise you:-

• Insurance
• Breakdown/recovery service which includes caravan
• Storage (if required)
• Security devices - wheel clamp, hitch-lock etc
• Towbar installation
• Habitation equipment - water/gas/waste containers/leisure battery etc
• Caravan servicing and tyres
• Awnings/outdoor equipment (which tent campers may already have)
• Change of tow vehicle if existing not suitable (sometimes this is not recognised until after a van has been bought!)

We love caravanning and wouldn't hesitate to tell you how wonderful it can be - but do go into it with your eyes (or wallet!) widen open.

Thanks for all your tips.

We're not going to be buying one just yet as we have the tent which makes for a fantastic holiday, but we thought we might have a look around and see what is out there.

My husband may be happier with camping now i've bought him a new bed!