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Hi all need your help:-

1)   We are a family of 4 and want a six berth caravan. (so we can accomodate 2 friends)

2)   MaX 21ft excluding a frame (to fit in my garden)

3)   Max weight 1500kg laden (so I can pull it)

4)   Like the look of the 6 berth with triple bunk and extra dining area at end, dont like the end bunks with single dinette.

5)   Should i buy new and try and get awning/accessories thrown in or get a one a year old, to save a couple of thousand.

Any ideas??

Thanks

Hi we will shortly be purchasing a 6 berth triple bunk on a single axle & have been in and out of almost every model.  As they are still a fairly new design there seem to be very few 2nd hand models on the market, more often they are last years dealer show models & we were strongly warned off buying one of those due to the fact that they have had 12mths continual wear and tear before you start.  I don't think you actually save much at all either on these models either as its such a popular layout they currently hold their price. 

At the lighter end of the triple bunks seem to be the Adria, Lunar quasar 546, Bailey Ranger & probably a couple of others but I don't know how their lengths check out - out of those I'd prefer the 546 simply because of the separate shower cubicle rather than wet room but its all down to personal choice really & what works for you.  Im sure someone more experienced will be along to help you with other issues but good luck with whatever you decide.

Bailey Ranger 620/6 is a 6 berth with fixed double bed and side dinette on a twin axle.

Internal length 20' 6", MTPLM 1522kg, £13,230 brand new.

Altenatively Bailey Ranger 540/6 with triple bunks and dinette in the end bedroom.

Internal length 18' 1", MTPLM 1306kg, £12,090 brand new.

GT60 versions are available for £700 to £1000 more with a shed load of extra kit

http://www.bailey-caravans.co.uk/product-range/new-caravans/classic-construction/ranger/summary/

Ive got an Adria Altea 542 DT 2010, and think it is fantastic see details below.  It is a light van for its size.

It has tripple bunks in the back left corner, a good size wet room in the back right corner, and side dinette which is also a good sized single bed. 

Price £11695

Internal Length: 5.36 M / 17’ 7”
Overall Length: 7.23 M / 23’ 8 1/2”
Overall Width: 2.29 M / 7’ 6 1/2”
Internal Height: 1.95 M / 6’ 5”
Overall Height: 2.58 M / 8’ 5 1/2”
Mass in running order: 1085 kg / 21.06 cwt
MTPLM: 1300 kg / 25.59 cwt

Number of berths: 6
Front double bed: 2.10 M x 1.36-1.24 M / 6’ 11” x 4’ 4”-4’
Rear double bed: -
Side single beds: 1.92 M x 0.8 M / 6’ 2” x 2’ 6”
Front single beds: N/A
Bunk bed: 3 x 1.9 M x 0.79 M / 6’ 2” x 2’ 5”

We have just spent months debating the same questions. We can only pull max 1500kg and eventually decided on the triple bunk and end dinette layout which we think will suit us perfectly. We looked for private second hand ones initially for approx. 4 months and very few (about 3-4) came on the market plus the selling prices were still high as they were nearly new.

We eventually ordered a Sprite Major 6 at the NEC show. For a budget end caravan we were really impressed with what we got for the money and the level of comfort. We intially looked at the Adria as the bunks are a great size in width which would be better if your friends are adults and the build quality is meant to be great, but we were disapointed with the seating area comfort, style inside, the fact we couldn't sit 5 of us at the table to eat (we would have had to have eaten seperately at each end of the van) plus all the extras i.e stabiliser, ariel, hook-up cable etc we would have had to buy as optional extras.

We got a great deal on the Sprite £11,625 including the diamond pack which includes everything we could need. Plus as part of the deal they gave us 5% discount in the shop and a £150 voucher to pay for the things you need to get started i.e water hog, waste etc. The only concern we initially had was that the bunks are slim in width but this seems to be the case with all the manufacturers except the Adria, but when the kids tried them ages 2,5 and 8 they were fine and will be OK for many years. When our oldest becomes a teen he can use the single bed in the side dinette which is much wider so problem solved.

We couldn't afford a luxury van plus our car wouldn't have pulled one as all the extra luxuries weigh more and although we dont get the van till next month we think this was definately the right choice for us. I think many families also agree as Sprite sales were massive at the show and our dealer said some vans wont be ready till June due to this - thank goodness ours is due next month. Hope this helps.   

thanks all,

im now changing my mind to layout, im now liking the 620/6 - my eldest is 11 and Im wondering what im gonna do with the bunks when he doesnt want to come anymore!, so Im thinking fixed bed for us :)

Whats your views on Bailey Ranger GT60 620/6, the specs seem just about same as Pageant and the weight is good, just hope it will fit in my garden, (cant measure just yet coz of all the snow lol).

Bailey price list shows £13k which I think seems good.

620/6 is a good bet i reckon