Hi, I'm new to camping and caravanning, went camping in a tent a few weeks ago and didn't really like it as I didn't get much sleep, but anyway have been thinking of getting a caravan for a while now, as think I would feel more comfortable.....My problem is I have 4 boy's aged between 4 and 11yrs, myself, Hubby and sometime's stepdaughter comes over, was wondering if a 5 or 6 berth would do us as I don't have alot of money to invest in one and not sure if we'd like it, so am thinking a second hand 4 or 5 berth as they are cheaper then the 6....or am I asking for trouble
You, hubby, 4 boys and a stepdaughter - that makes 7 i think... Sounds like you need a van and an awning - the older kids could sleep in the awning, the rest could camp in the van. This would make a 4 or 5 birth van useable. Awning is a bit more trouble when setting up but if you are a party of 7 and hate tents and want to tour i think it is a good option - at least you will be in a decent bed even if the kids are on the camping beds (they would probably enjoy it more anyway lol).
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We are a family of 5 with 2 dogs and dd's best friend so we need a 6 berth. We have also taken our nephew with us making us 7. At the moment we have a 6 berth Avondale Leda Malvern which has been a brilliant 'van for us as we manged to fit all 7 of us (and the dogs) in one night. 4 kids slept on the bunks with 5th on the floor between the 2 beds. ds prefers to sleep in a tent in the awning so we could manage with a 4/5 berth but for just in case occasions i like to be able to have the beds (or space) in the 'van for everybody.
So i would recommend getting a 6 berth 'van if you possibly can. And something along the lines of the Malvern which has 4 bunks down the length of the van meaning you can put an extra child inbetween the beds on the floor.
What sort of budget are you talking of? If you are going brand new then do take a look at the Bailey Ranger 540/6 or GT60 version of it. We are getting the GT60 very very soon and its just the most perfect 'van ever imo lol
How about a folding camper or trailer tent? The bigger folding campers will sleep six inside, even before you add the awning. A big trailer tent will sleep eight as long the boys don't mind sharing the undertents. You get the benefit of a proper bed and even a practically new folding camper will cost significantly less than a similar caravan. And you can pick up an older trailer tent in excellent condition for less than £1000...and sell it on again for the same price next May, if you want to buy something newer.
We went for a 6 berth caravan in the end, although there's only 4 of us. Plus we've got an awning annexe so the boys are planning to sleep in there. As this is our first van we didn't want to spend too much, so our 2nd-hand Avondale is fits the bill very well. We have one large double bed at the front, plus a side dinette bed with bunk over, plus a rear dinette bed with bunk over. So, including the awning we could sleep 8 if needed. Happy searching!
We have three children but made do with a four berth for many years, as the kids simply slept in the awning. Our kids loved it cos they felt like they were camping but we had the luxury of a comfortable bed!!!!!
Hi we're in the same boat as you, except it's just the 6 of us. I've got a 5 berth hobby with an awning that has a bedroom annexe. My teenager sleeps out there and she loves it....we love it too because the pest snores and we end up chucking rolled up socks etc at her when she sleeps in the van lol.
We are now looking out for a 6 berth with a sliding door at the end to muffle her snoring. We could keep what we got but we plan to tour in the colder months as we can't bare the thought of no trips for months!