We are new to caravanning & looking desperately for a 5 or 6 berth caravan from approx.years 2003/2004/2005. These seem to be in our price range. What is a good decent van for this age with no damp or other problems ( we are looking at an avondale argente 6 berth 2004 tomorrow (a private sale) & on looking this up on internet came across forums where there are problems with these concerning cracks in panels! So this does not seem reliable - still we shall have a look) Can anyone recommend a caravan to look out for? Thanks.
We would have viewed a Bailey Ranger 2003 today -think it was a 5 berth- but it had just been sold 1/2 hour before we rang!!! Many thanks - we have taken your advice on board!
We have an Abbey Spectrum 520 5berth.It's fab-plenty of room,and solid as a rock-it's made by Swift and they're made to last.
------------- ...as long as it's dry.....
Lisa xx
count your rainbows not your thunderstorms.....
Easter-York
August-Cornwall
October half term-Dawlish
Xmas-still looking...
We are the owner of a Avondale Mayfair Dart 2001. Over the Easter weekend we were looking around at caravans and when we were given a quote on what our van was worth we were told that as Avondale have gone into recievership the price for these vans has dropped (we also have damp in the bathroom!) We were advised that we should look into selling up asap due to this. We then visited Glossop - as they were one of the main Avondale dealers, they advised us the same. Junst to let you know that you may find an Avondale at a good price but just beware that there may be longterm finance issues with the purchase, just take care. We have gone onto purchasing a 2006 Luna 525 rather sooner than we were expecting to, but something that we were hoping to do in the next 18month.
We have a 2003 Bailey Ranger 550/6 ( fixed bunks at rear ) and think its fantastic... I presume you have children, what age are they as ours are 9 and 4 and the 9 year old is getting to the stage where he's out growing the bunk and will soon be moved outside in the awning annexe which I think he's looking forward to. We're seriousley thinking over the next year to 18 months of changing to a fixed double bed set up, our ds can sleep outside and dd can have single bed at the front. For a young family the 550 is spot on but whether you go for fixed bunks or twin dinette is the choice you'll have to make... We looked at the twin dinette and were very close to getting it but then saw the fixed bunk one, it was spotlessly clean and hardley used which swayed us although slightley more expensive.
MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE REPLIED!!! We have now purchased a Lunar Chateau 450 5 berth 2004 from a family run dealer. Bit dearer probably than buying private, but for our first buy we are quite happy to have peace of mind, knowing it will be serviced etc before receiving. Hope we have made a good purchase!!! If anyone has/or had one of these please let us know of any problems encountered!!!! (There is no shower in ours although a shower tray is there!! But the dealer will put one in plus a shower curtain & rail, so can't complain).
I think the Bailey Rangers are snapped up as soon as they are up for sale !! We shall definitely keep a future look out for these & the lunar 525 & abbey spectrum 520.