whats the most important thing i need to know about caravans! im a total novice! just been looking at some caravans and its scary! i will be getting an older one as i dont have a load of money, and the dog will end up ruining a nice shiny new one lol.
even scared about getting the right insurance, a good place to store it and then there is the towing! are there any good books to help me??
I would say that the first thing someone in your position has to consider is the car you will be using to tow the caravan.
You need to find out what the car is capable, legally, of towing. Engine size, petrol or diesel, weight, and what the manufacturer says is the max weight it can tow.
When you know that you can then consider caravans that are the right weight for you.
Search this forum. Everything you need to know about caravaning is here.
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"If I let go of what I am, I can become what I might be".
I got a copy of the caravan handbook from Amazon. A good place to start. It is some years since we last had a van and they are very different now so I have found it invaluable. It might also be a good idea to go on the full caravanners course that both clubs offer as it not only teaches you how to tow and manouver a van, the full course covers lots of other caravanning aspects as well like loading, nose weights and hitching up safely. We both did it several years ago before we bought our first van and it is money well spent.
And damp! Do get a damp meter and stick it in EVERY place you can and if it has got damp then don't buy it. You can feel for damp as well, just feel the walls and if they are soft that is damp. Go round any dealer to get an idea of the 'van layout you want. It's sometimes worth buying from a dealer where you will at least get some kind of warrenty.
Any other questions just ask. We love our 'vans and are always happy to talk about them lol.
I'm waiting on my new Bailey to arrive and can't wait and have been boring everyone silly talking about it lmao
Hi.dont do what we did and buy a rotten 1.we answered an advert in a local paper and it sounded just what we wanted.being new to caravaning we just didnt know what to look for when we went to view.it was an elderly couple who were giving up vanning and they were selling as a job lot.the van was packed to the roof with everything you might need so we couldnt really get in the van to check for damp etc.they seemed really genuine people to us so we took their word for it and parted with the money.to be fair it was only £700 so we wasnt expecting a palace but when we got home and pulled on the grab handles they just came away because the whole of the back of the van was rotten.we were lucky in 1 respect though because the amount of equipment we had with the van offset most of the cost.everything from wheel clamps to windbreaks were in there.when you view a van if you smell damp it most likely is.take somebody in the know with you and if theres stuff in the van take it out to examine the walls etc.if the sellers are genuine they arent going to mind.good luck.
------------- Those that danced were thought to be quite insane to those who could not hear the music. Angela Monet
Also consider what you can tow legally. As of 1997 driving licence entitlement changed in regard to towing. If you passed your test after this date then you need to be looking for a lighter outfit. Take a look in the towing section, there is a sticky post explaining this further.