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Topic: Choices?

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murdo

19/4/2010 at 10:14pm
Location: N Wales Cheshire
Outfit: Ace Jubilee Prestige

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I know everyone likes different things butI have now identified that I need a van with a running weight/Miro of 1200Kg or below.

I need a minimum 4 berth...haven't a budget for new..looking 2003 and younger.

We like the layouts where single beds are opposite each other at the rear or l shaped at rear ( we will need our van to grow with our girls 12 and 11 years :)So think this is best option for them.

We like
Elddis avante 505
Abbey Aventura
Bailey ranger 550/6

Any real plusses of one of these that makes it a van you would choose...quality..build?...features....or any others you can think of???
Thanks all :)

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Jackie and John

ian-albion

19/4/2010 at 10:18pm
Location: Staffordshire
Outfit: Avondale Osprey S

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Its personal choice but we had a Elddis Firestorm 505 its an Avante based dealer special and was a very well put together van.

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navver

19/4/2010 at 10:36pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo

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A Bailey Discovery 400 if you can find one. Very light, cheap and equipped with the basics but no more.

michael

19/4/2010 at 10:44pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold

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see www.caravanfinder.co.uk

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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.

murdo

20/4/2010 at 12:01am
Location: N Wales Cheshire
Outfit: Ace Jubilee Prestige

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Thanks, we had forgotten the dealer specials like the Firestorm ...in Firestorm pics the photos show an extension of the work-surface that seems to project over the seating area...other pics then show this extenson sitting bolt upright (as if to contain kitchen surface area....can it fold out of sight/so down side of cushion and not projecting over seats?

Post last edited on 20/04/2010 00:15:53

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Jackie and John

TKMAXX

20/4/2010 at 7:22am
Location: Maidstone - Kent
Outfit: None Entered

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Hi Jackie,

Simular requirements to what we had when we were looking, we bought the Ranger 550/6 and love 'Rosie'. Kids think she is great (they named her!).

We managed to stretch a bit more, got the 2005 version and we love it!

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Enjoying caravanning, realising what an expensive hobby it is and spending the family’s inheritance before they can get their hands on it!

adsheadv

20/4/2010 at 10:20am
Location: Manchester
Outfit: Vango Inspire 600

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Quote: Originally posted by murdo on 20/4/2010
Thanks, we had forgotten the dealer specials like the Firestorm ...in Firestorm pics the photos show an extension of the work-surface that seems to project over the seating area...other pics then show this extenson sitting bolt upright (as if to contain kitchen surface area....can it fold out of sight/so down side of cushion and not projecting over seats?

Post last edited on 20/04/2010 00:15:53

The extra piece of worksurface does go out over the seat when it's down but gives valuable extra space when you're preparing meals. When not in use it folds up (as you saw in the pics) but not down but it doesn't encroach on the seating area. We had a '99 Firestorm 5 berth & loved it.

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Vanessa
x

I Love Holidays

20/4/2010 at 11:56am
Location: Kent (on East Sussex border)
Outfit: Bailey S7 Pageant Bretagne & S-Max

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Last summer we bought a 2003 Bailey Ranger 550/6, for us, we needed the option of having 5 beds if needed (6 is a bonus) (normally our son sleeps in a pup tent, but on the odd occasion he may want to sleep in the van). The fixed bunks at the back are really great as no bed making up has to be done for these. The idea of the side dinette area for us was important as well as it gave us a small sitting area if we wanted to make up the front bed earlier on in the evening, or if one of us got up early there was a space to sit down without having to go out into the awning (if it was up). We are very pleased with our caravan, must admit that we went for the 2003 version as it had the 3 separate opening windows at the front which we prefer instead of the one single opening panoramic window on the 2004 onwards models. Hope you find the right van for you soon.

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ღஐஐღ Jane ღஐஐღ

I Love Holidays

20/4/2010 at 11:58am
Location: Kent (on East Sussex border)
Outfit: Bailey S7 Pageant Bretagne & S-Max

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Quote: Originally posted by TKMAXX on 20/4/2010

Hi Jackie,
Simular requirements to what we had when we were looking, we bought the Ranger 550/6 and love 'Rosie'. Kids think she is great (they named her!).
We managed to stretch a bit more, got the 2005 version and we love it!

Love the name, ours is Ange (as in rANGEr). We may even see you one weekend at a local campsite as we are only about 30 mins from Maidstone.

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ღஐஐღ Jane ღஐஐღ

TKMAXX

20/4/2010 at 12:16pm
Location: Maidstone - Kent
Outfit: None Entered

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Hi I Love Holidays!

We bought ours last summer as well having previously been tenters, then the kids come along and you need something else!

Where are you based and what site is local for you? We went to Whitstable at the back end of last year and loved it!

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Enjoying caravanning, realising what an expensive hobby it is and spending the family’s inheritance before they can get their hands on it!

I Love Holidays

20/4/2010 at 1:07pm
Location: Kent (on East Sussex border)
Outfit: Bailey S7 Pageant Bretagne & S-Max

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We are near Cranbrook, we liked Daleacres CC site at Hythe when we last had a caravan (hoping to go there very soon (maybe even this weekend if I have my way). We went to Hidden Springs last Summer at Horam, that was nice. With sets ups we seem to have done one big circle. Trailer tent, folding camper, caravan x 2, holidays abroard (sold caravan), tent x 2, folding camper, and now back to a caravan

We've only used the caravan once so far, that was last Halloween on a meet organised by UKCS in Devon, we are going to Cornwall this summer though on another UKCS meet, we went last year in the folding camper and it was the best 2 weeks ever (even though it rained a lot!).

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ღஐஐღ Jane ღஐஐღ

murano

20/4/2010 at 1:25pm
Location: whitstable kent
Outfit: sterling eccles sport 584 freelander 2

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Quote: Originally posted by TKMAXX on 20/4/2010

Hi I Love Holidays!
We bought ours last summer as well having previously been tenters, then the kids come along and you need something else!
Where are you based and what site is local for you? We went to Whitstable at the back end of last year and loved it!

yay whitstable I love it. But then that's where I live :) great town

Greendemon315

20/4/2010 at 1:59pm
Location: Blackburn Lancashire
Outfit: Coachman Laser 650 and Discovery

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Don't forget it's not the MIRO you need to look at, it's the MTPLM.

Jim

michael

20/4/2010 at 3:14pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold

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MTPLM of caravan should be at 85% of the cars kerb weight to be safe on tow.

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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.

murdo

20/4/2010 at 11:28pm
Location: N Wales Cheshire
Outfit: Ace Jubilee Prestige

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Thanks all...(we used miro/kerb weight/mtpm) calculations from Caravan Club?) We can't load up to the gills but we are ok for essentials and extras in car :)

We have seen a gorgeous, well maintained and dry Firestorm....so its looking good!

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Jackie and John

murdo

22/4/2010 at 7:57am
Location: N Wales Cheshire
Outfit: Ace Jubilee Prestige

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Just a quick thanks for al your help. We have put a deposit on a 2005 Elddis Firestorm 505. Over the moon.

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Jackie and John

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