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Hi folks,

Tenter looking in here...

looking to enter the caravan market late this year for our first van. From what info we have gathered so far the Bailey Ranger 500 5 is right up our street. It matches well with our car (see below). These seem to be few and far between in the second hand market. We have a budget of £8000, which we would hope to get all the bits and pieces with it. I would presume a private sale for the extras.  My question is, I've loooked at other vans and these appear to be on the heavy side for the car. What other vans, are in the lightweight catogory similar to what I've read on the Ranger? I'm just not sure what models to look for. There's alot!! Needle in haystack springs to mind!

Layoutwise, we're looking for two living areas that turn into beds. A 4 is all we need. The 5 berth bailey is only due to layout, don't want a fixed bed. Hence the 5 berth Bailey not the 4. 

Outfit match Bailey and Mazda 5...

Car make and model Mazda 5 - 2.0 CiTD hp [2008]
Year of issue march 2008 - up to now
Power 141 bhp (105 kW) at 3900 rpm
Torque 266 lb/ft (360 Nm) at (or from) 2000 rpm
Kerbweight (may differ in the UK) 1610 kg and 'ballasted' with 250 kg
Tyres 195 / 65 R 15
Transmission Manual (or automatic without torque converter)
6 speed
Caravan Bailey Ranger 500/5
Actual laden caravan weight 1244 kg (car towing limit is 1400 kg)
The airflow is:  average (height = 2.59 m and width = 2.19 m)
Gross Train weight (car+caravan) 3104 kg

Thanks all.

David

This year is my first year of caravan use, previously I've always been under canvass. My wife has had a couple of caravans although some time ago.

When we decided to return to/give caravaning a go we thought it wise to not commit too much money at first in case the kids or even us didn't like it - we bought a caravan on ebay at £1300.00 incl an awning. It's a 5 berth and lightweight. We tow it with a 1.6 TDI Focus and get 46 mpg when towing. We have used it four times already and love it - we see far more expensive van all over the place but frankly we got what we wanted without paying a fortune - some good bargains can be had out there. In a couple of years we hope to have lost the task of having to take 3-kids with us and will upgrade to an Arriba or the like but wouldn'r recommend spending big bucks until you are sure you really want to 'caravan'. We know we will always get our money back if not more - try it it is a win win situation.

Decide what layout you want, how many axles and what weight you are prepared to pull and start your search - bidding itself is quite fun to!

Good hunting

Martyn n Helen