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We were awy camping at the weekend, staying at a nice site in Northumberland. Whilst there, there were some touring caravans on site and we got talking to the site owners who said that most stayed all year for around £2k?

This got us thinking about a van as unlike camping could use it all year whatever the weather.

I dont have the first idea about caravans (just getting my head around tents!). How much would i need to pay to get a decent starter van? There are 5 of us (3 young children 6,6 &4). Would this be a 6 berth or is it like tents, where you add on 2 to get a one of the right size?

I'll probably not tow it, but leave it on a site for a year.

can anyone advise on approx price and where to start looking?

Secondhand vans are rare at the mo because of the stay at home trend this year.  It would probably be better if you stated your budget and we would then have an idea of what you have to play with.

I paid £2,800 for our van including all the contents and a nearly new awning but we hit lucky and bought from somebody selling up lock, stock and barrel.  It was 9 years old then and book price was £4,500 and it is a 5 berth.

There are many many damp ones so take a friend who knows what they are doing or else buy a damp meter, sharpen the prongs and get prodding.  Look everywhere, under seats, in cupboards, all over the bathroom, the roof, the dreaded damp can strike anywhere.

Have a read of the various threads on here about damp, there are some horror stories.

I would say to buy a decent starter van for the size you want you would need upwards of £4k.  Whilst you are siting it, can you tow it ie is your car heavy enough?  There's lots to think about unless somebody is towing it there for you.

You don't normally add two berths like with a tent but you do need to make sure any bunks are big enough for your growing little 'uns both in length, width and weight capacity.

Ali

Viggo, we pay £1850 a year for our pitch in South Devon, that covers 7 1/2 months on a seasonal pitch and winter storage as the site opens mid March and shuts end of October.

I am afraid that is the going price so £2,000 for all year round is reasonable.  What does that include though?  Some charge you per night you stay on top of that, some charge for electric per night too.

Ali

Hi

If I could get something for around 4k i would think that was reasonable.

car is a Zafria 2.0 TDi, so towing shouldnt be an issue. Family members have a large 4x4 so moving it around wont be an issue.

Not sure what the £2k includes. It was just a off the cuff comment (although side is open 12 months). will look more into that if we decide to proceed. Was looking for a caravan first. Just want somewhere within an hour of home where we could crash to on a friday / saturday night. thanks for the advice so far.

We have a 5 berth for 4-5 of us (depends whether DS 18 comes along).  It's a double-dinette layout with pull out bunk above the rear double bed that's suitable for a child. 

If we're all in it for a couple of nights we're fine with the 2 eldest lads (18 & 13 and both nearly 6 foot) sharing the rear double bed & DS 5 on the bunk.  The eldest 2 are quite squashed tho so we're investing in a full awning with tall annexe for when we go away for longer periods.

At 6, 6 & 4 your kids would have plenty of room & there's a partition to pull across meaning you can stay up & watch TV without disturbing them.

This layout also gives our boys (mainly 13 & 5 yr olds) their own area to sit with laptop/coloring books etc... & the porch awning we have gives much needed extra storage/living space.

our adria is 5 berth and very light, we tow it with a verso

 I thought paying £600 a year on a site was a lot !!!! and thats the site open from march to late december.

Ah but where's here Fiona Mum?  South Coast of Devon is mega expensive, Scotland is very cheap.

Ali