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Hi Flyingbarbera. You can get a decent caravan for the amount your looking to spend. It`s really a case of looking around. You could try ebay to see if their are any caravans about your area. Or try your local dealer. I would strongly recommend looking at a caravan before you buy it. Also it would help to get a damp meter to check the inside of the caravan for damp. Some people might say it is damp free, especially dealers. But they would say that, just so long as they get a sale. Watch out for any softness in the walls or bubbles on the paper. This may indicate that their is damp in the van. Also check the floor for any spongeness. Check every cupboard and behind the seat cushions as well. If a caravan has a musky smell this also may indicate that their is damp. Some people put loads of air freshners in the van to try and hide it. If you can get a caravan with a service history all the better. But it is better to be safe than sorry and thoroughly check the van before you buy. Don`t get me wrong their are some honest sellers out there. But some people will try and rip you off

It is a bit cheaper to buy at the end of the season as people have had their holidays and may want to sell thier caravans, so will accept a lower price than what they could get at the start of the season.

As for your car with the towing weight. if you look at the car manuel book and look near the back of the book you are looking for the MGTW of the car. That will let you know the max weight of a caravan you can tow. Any problems just post the details of your car on here and someone will be able to help. That`s the best thing about this site.

Once you get your first caravn you won`t regret. It`s cheaper, and you can just hitch up and go whenever you feel like it.

Hope this is useful and all the best for the future.

Kevin.

 Check on link for tips buying second hand :

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=10

 Think hard and have a look around caravans to what layout would suit your needs.

Hi Andy

1) very good vans from 2k upwards depends what you like plenty to choose from

2)ABI, swift etc have a look at them all most have different layouts pick one thats suits best

3)Buy during winter months can save you hundreds BUT unless you are going to use it through winter, dont forget you have cost of storing it and less chance of ironing out any problems you might find. and do you really want an empty van when you WILL be itching to get away asap

4)Single will be big enough unless you have 4x4

5)What do you intend to pull with?  make sure find out weight of van, most family saloons are good for towing. diesels are the popular choice i have 2l petrol though.

6)as long as you get it serviced when you buy you should be OK. expect to pay more for a serviced van.

ALWAYS check for DAMP everywhere buy a damp meter to test yourself and haggle for any extras if getting from a dealer.

Dont buy the first one you see.

happy hunting

Quote: Originally posted by kparsfan on 20/6/2007
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As for your car with the towing weight. if you look at the car manuel book and look near the back of the book you are looking for the MGTW of the car. That will let you know the max weight of a caravan you can tow. Any problems just post the details of your car on here and someone will be able to help. That`s the best thing about this site.

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MGTW is NOT max trailer weight, it is max loaded car & max loaded trailer combined. Max tow weight is based almost purely on engine torque and gear ratios.

Having said that, at no time must you ever exceed manufuacturers weights no matter how they add up

eg. car has 1500 kerb weight, 2000 max, tow weight of 1500, gtw of 3250

that imaginary car can only tow its max trailer with a half load in the car as max car + max trailer would exceed gtw