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i am a single mum to 3 children, who are all under 9.  i currently have a huge Montana 12 tent, which was fine when i had a dh to help me put it up!  i have been looking at s/h caravans on ebay, wondering whether that would be a better solution for me.  i'm assuming it's easier than putting a monster tent up single handedly?  also we do get put off by wind and rain which i don't think would bother us so much in a caravan.

i have a vauxhall zafira 1.6, so was looking at vans around the 1000 kg mark?  does that sound about right?  i have a driveway where i could store it (though i'd need to check with the neighbours that they didn't object).  if that's not an option how much is it to store a caravan in the winter?  i'm in the south east if that's any help.

any advice would be gratefully received.

aj xx

I think a caravan would be ideal.

I pay £150 a year storage so not too bad.

You can get very reasonably priced second hand vans but don't go to a dealer, they charge loads more. Look in local classified ads

Hi Aj , the 1000kg figure is ok see here http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/vauxhall.htm#zafira01

We pay £320 a year for storage in the south west . I do think once you have got a caravan you'll love it . If you don't know about caravans then take someone who does when looking to buy one .

atb

Wizard

We started caravaning 'cos we were to lazy to tent!

Caravanning is ace! An awning would be a breeze and you dont need to put it up the first night if tou can't be bothered- plus you have the advantages of electic, onboard toilet, heating etc.

I would go for it- just make sure you research this forum to fing out the pitfalls such as damp.

Our van is nearly 20yo and has shower, toilet oven and is quite plush- especially compared to a tent. its like being in your livingroom on a rainyday, but more cosy and a tv would entertain the kids.

I would go for it!

Our van weighs 950kg fully ladened and is a two berth but i'm sure when we were looking the 4 beth version was only slightly heavier.

Good luck if you go for it- but you'll probobly be hooked!

Go for it - you can find some lovely caravan bargains - but make sure you know what you are looking for.  Check out wobbly grab  handles (damp), bad seals (damp), leaky windows (damp), bad smell (damp).  Best not to buy from ebay - as you can't usually 'see before you buy' - see websites like this one where caravanners themselves advertise their vans, or the Practical Caravan website - in that way you may get a better deal, and 'goodies' thrown into the bargain.

We bought a cracking Elddis Shamal for our first van, used it two years, re-upholstered it myself, and sold it for as much as we paid for it.

E-bay is a good source for purchasing a caravan. Set your preference to within a fixed distance, say 50 miles, and make sure the seller has excellent feedback.

Be careful and you'll find lots of bargains on ebay.

Do check out some of the threads about buying caravans on eBay on this forum.  There are some good vans on there but do go and see any you think you might bid on and check that they are sound - take someone who's knowledgeable if you're not sure. 

You should also check your house deeds/local council to ensure there won't be a problem keeping a caravan on your drive.

If you get a van, I'm sure you won't regret it.  We've gone from trailer tent (hated it) to folding camper (loved it) to caravan (love it even more!).

Good luck with your hunt. 

Jazzycats.

A folding camper is easier to erect as there is no pegging of the main unit, just the awning.  An FC is basically a caravan with a canvas top, it actually has a caravan chassis.

Alison,

Make sure you take someone knowledgable to view the caravan or you could be buying a money pit.  Don't pay for a caravan before you have seen it on ebay.  Invest in a damp meter.  Don't forget places like freeads.