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After having a couple of years camping, my wife has decided that caravanning is now in order & I would appreciate any advice on what model/age would be a suitable starter caravan for our requirements (there seem to be a bewildering choice).  We have 2 small children and definitely want a caravan with an end bedroom (fixed bunk or dinette to bunk, not double). Additionally, I have not towed a caravan before so would prefer a shorter model (16-17 ft rather than say 22-23).  Age is not a major concern providing is a model one that is well constructed.  Initially we would be looking to spend less than 4k.

Any advice would be appreciated greatly. 

The first question is what will you be towing it with.  That will give you a range that you can choose from.

No good picking something now, and then finding out your car won't tow it.

Jim

Go to www.caravanfinder.co.uk and search by layout. Our Abbey Cabaret Bertha is a 5 berth double dinette and she is perfect for us and the 2 kids - she is a 1999 model and we paid 4K for her 12 months ago. The other investment we made which I'd also recommend to a newbie is a towing course - we both did the CC one, and the confidence re manoeuvring and the reassurance re safety it gives you is well worth the £100 odd each we paid.

"My concern over the length is trying to manouvre one without any previsous experience. "

Don't have any experience of the type of van you are after....never had to consider kids as part of our caravanning experience. However, on towing, reversing etc I would recommend a Caravan course asap after you have your van. Invaluable and a very entertaining couple of days. That will give you the confidence and after that its down to practice practice practice. Reverse on to your pitch even if you are not sure what you are doing. The more times you do it the easier it gets.

Most caravanners will tell you that, going forward, its surprising just how quickly you get used to a van on the back. Just give yourself plenty of room at corners, take your time, don't let other road users dictate what you should do and what speed you should do it at. Remember they only form a queue behind you on the road just so they can have a good long admiring look at your van

Visit a lot of showrooms to see what is available, price, layout and analyse carefully just what you want out of a van before you jump in and buy. Hope you find just what you are looking for and really enjoy the experience.

Phil

Hi, our situation was exactly the same as yours 2 years ago so here is some advice!

We bought a swift classic corvette 1998 (weight 1000kg's lenght 15.5 feet). It is a small 4 berth with end bedroom. I have never towed before either so asked lots of questions on this site and the responses have been fantastic, infact not sure what I would have done without it. Bought van from dealer in december so got a fantastic deal of van starter kit and new £650 awning all for £4000. They delivered it and i went off with and experinced towing friend to practice, they also came with us on our first trip to help set up etc.

Read all the links on here about loading, towing, what equipment etc and then ask if not sure. If you can afford it get a 5 berth as it gives another couple of feet and if you are a confident driver then you should have no problem. I would offer to sell you ours as it is a great starter van but I am having to change my job so upgrading is not an option for another year or so.

I would recommend buying asap as no one really buys now and the deals can be great and make sure you do it as we have had some brilliant holidays in the last 2 years that we would not have done without.

When you do go out don't worry how slow you go and just pull over when safe if you get a queue behind you!

Good luck

Hi don't know if this is of any use, but here goes.

We bough our van 2.5 yrs ago after looking for quite some time. first problem we had was car was not man enough to pull a skin of a rice pudding, so that put an end to our looking until better car came along. We also noticed alot of caravans in our proce bracket 5 to 7 K were 5yrs old etc. Plenty with layouts to choose from. (2 adults, 21 kids). Now i am not beeing snobby, but more spend thrifty, some of the van we looked at were in a sorry state in some main dealers etc. basically this put us off spending hard cash for potentially a less than quality van. So the idea was shelved for a year or so of getting a van. New car later and a re vitalised interest in a caravan, with the same old story but a year further on. We finally decided on a Lunar Chateaux 4/5 berth excellent condition and 5K. Went away to think once more about it. with the idea of returning to dealer ship the next day. However a quick stop over at a dealer ship on the way home, and a trip to the toilets etc, we came away £500.00 lighter with a deposit for brand New van, an Adria Altea 542UK 2008 for 8K, Ok slightly higer than budget but it was new. The theory being if we did not like we would loose as much selling it or might even gain a bit.

2.5 yrs on and its the best puchase ever made as family for us. I had never towed before and its a big van at approx 24ft in length. i am nervy on every trip for the first few miles, but soon calm down and enjoy the feeling. Take your time dont rush and plenty of stops (permitting).

The moral of this being dont just go for something cheap, but buy the best quality and the best deal with available finances and be prepared to barter. Ours was up for 10.2K but we got it for 8K.

Happy looking and keep an open mind.

ChrisW.

Opps should say 2adults and 2 kids not 21 kids. nearly had heart attack.

Just to add to all that, you'll be fine with a Shogun.  I never did any course - they didn't exist when I started, and I have a pocketful of licences anyway, but it can't do any harm.  Most people seem to benefit from a course. You'll soon pick it up anyway.

As far as the length is concerned, any professional driver will tell you that the longer the trailer, the easier it is to reverse.  A few feet won't make any difference, but just try the difference between an artic trailer and a little camping trailer.

Jim

twin dinette model surely will suit your needs

you take the rear double  kids get the 2 singles at the front

simples yes ?

I wouldn't dream of manhandling a caravan, but I don't have a motor mover either.  That's what the tow car is for.

Jim

Quote: Originally posted by Big Al on 15/12/2010

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twin dinette model surely will suit your needs

you take the rear double  kids get the 2 singles at the front

simples yes ?

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Our Hymer has 2 fixed singles at the front and the rear diner converts to a double.

We have found the fixed single beds are a boon as our kids are now both teenagers and wouldn't fit too well into bunks.  Also lots of bunk beds in caravans are limited with the weight of the person using them.

Hymer vans are built like tanks but you shouldn't find this a problem weight wise, as you have the Shogun.

Have you looked on caravan finder and clicked on the layout option?    If you try this, find a layout you think you may like, it should then give you all the vans with that layout, to help narrow down your search.

If you are apprehensive about towing, I would highly recommend the courses run by the C&CC ... well worth the money.

Quote: Originally posted by TrigGLX on 15/12/2010

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Opps should say 2adults and 2 kids not 21 kids. nearly had heart attack.

 

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