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LOL Anniemacx I've just spent the last hour looking at the Caravanfinder website thanks!

It's brilliant, there are soooooo many layouts aren't there tho, I really need to narrow it down before I go on there again, price will probably be a good place to start  

Quote: Originally posted by Woofers on 26/8/2010

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LOL Anniemacx I've just spent the last hour looking at the Caravanfinder website thanks!

It's brilliant, there are soooooo many layouts aren't there tho, I really need to narrow it down before I go on there again, price will probably be a good place to start  

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We're kind of undecided ourselves, (not buying again yet but maybe in a few years)we do have a small caravan just now which we really like and will do us fine for a few years, but it has it's disadvantages. One is having to make up the beds each night, it can be a pain in the neck especially in a very small van with a couple of mad dogs !

Personally we don't want  a shower, as Missizippi says there's the extra water thing, and we're mean & prefer to get our money's worth from the campsite ! Mrs Z would love an nice spacious washroom though, just not with a shower.

One thing we really like about our little 'van is the kitchen area being at the end by the door. Last 'van had a kitchen in the middle opposite loo & wardrobe & it felt cramped claustraphobic - depsite it being a much bigger caravan. 

I think the suggestion of buying a cheap older caravan to start with is a good one, once you actually spend time living in it you'll really see what matters most for you.

Happy hunting

Hi Woofer's and welcome to the caravan forum :)

I always advise getting a cheap 'van to begin with as coming from camping you may not think that you need a toilet or hot running water but when you have a van you will realise how handy they are.  2 of my kids were sick on our 1st outing in our 1st cheap 2 berth caravan and i really missed not having a toilet and hot water!  I looked on ebay and caravanfinder to work out what layout i would want and we got a 6 berth which was lovely.

But be warned, if you think camping is expensive with all the must have's and recommendations of more must have's, owning a caravan is extremely expensive.  There you are just wandering around your dealer, quite happy with your 'van when you come across those lovely new shiny 'vans with all that lovely new equipment which you just know was designed especially for you.  As soon as i saw the Bailey Ranger GT60 i just knew that she was the "one" and i just had to have her. 

not sure if that helps you at all but that is my and many other people's experience on here :)

There's an easy way to keep caravanning cheap though ashwell girl - stay away from the caravan dealers ! Must say we find it cheap.

We pretty much have everything we need, but then tbh we're not fussed about having lots of gadgets and mod cons.Never been `glampers' but neverthless I reckon apart from the outlay for the `van itself compared to tents, I'd say we had to spend more on all the equipment we needed for tenting.  

I did notice an alarming look (something akin to longing) on Mrs Z's face last time we were at one - & she kept stroking things in it  Got her out of there damned quick & managed to keep her away since.

I like our old one, & I tell Mrs Z that just like her it may have seen better days but it has more character  

Quote: Originally posted by ashwellgirl on 27/8/2010

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Hi Woofer's and welcome to the caravan forum :)

I always advise getting a cheap 'van to begin with as coming from camping you may not think that you need a toilet or hot running water but when you have a van you will realise how handy they are.  2 of my kids were sick on our 1st outing in our 1st cheap 2 berth caravan and i really missed not having a toilet and hot water!  I looked on ebay and caravanfinder to work out what layout i would want and we got a 6 berth which was lovely.

But be warned, if you think camping is expensive with all the must have's and recommendations of more must have's, owning a caravan is extremely expensive.  There you are just wandering around your dealer, quite happy with your 'van when you come across those lovely new shiny 'vans with all that lovely new equipment which you just know was designed especially for you.  As soon as i saw the Bailey Ranger GT60 i just knew that she was the "one" and i just had to have her. 

not sure if that helps you at all but that is my and many other people's experience on here :)

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Hi Ashwellgirl

Thanks for the info, I understand the theory of buying cheap to be sure but I know if we bought cheap we wouldn't like it and then never caravan again, thats just us tho.  (I hope that doesn't make me sound snotty, just that we know what we like generally)

I'm pretty good when it comes to wanting the next best thing, be assured there's lots of that happening over on the camping forum and I don't get sucked in, we bought a very good tent and are happy with it, thats another reason I want to be sure we get the right caravan first off.

Yep all advice is helpful thanks v much

LOL Woofers.  No you don't sound snobby at all :)  I know what you mean, we will probably have to sell our 'van and we could get a cheap 'van but after having the luxury of my 'van i know i wouldn't like an older one and would be constantly comparing it.  I may change my mind, yet, on that.

As long as you know what layout will work for you, and ebay pics really do help out here, you will find a nice 'van :)