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OH is coming round to buying a caravan. We have use of the inlaws motorhome but I really dont like not having a car to get out and about and if we want to use it we (I!!) have to spend ages putting our stuff in and it dosent have the right layout to accomodate 2 teenagers (one boy of 15 who is autistic) and a girl of 12. With the MH we end up picking sites to suit the MH (we go to France for our main holiday) rather than sites that may suit us better but need a car to get out and about.

 We have a budget of £7000 approx. We would be towing with a Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 tdi but am unsure of which layout would suit us. We are used to using site facilites so dont need a big end washroom as will continue to use the site showers. How do I split two kids (maybe one could go in awning lol) Our son dosent come with us very often (stays with grandparents) so it will probably end up being us, DD and a friend as she goes through the teenage years to keep her happy!

I dont like the side dinettes as think the kids will be too big for the bunks they turn into and would prefer the sleeping areas to be at either end of the van for some privacy and our and teens own space.

Any help and pointers most appreciated.

Sounds like a 5 berth with dinettes front & rear would suit you then you could either have double beds at both ends (thinking of 2 teenage girls) or can use the double at the back & the front benches as singles if your son comes with you (they're usually 6' long).  No need to use the pull-out bunk at the back & they can only take the weight of a smaller child anyway.  This layout also gives teens/kids their own space during the day.

To find out the max weight you could tow get your car's kerbweight then work out 85%.

Would agree with looking at as many different models as you can - whilst the layout of 5 berths would be basically the same it's the details & finish that differ and some might work better for you than others.

Good luck & happy hunting!

thanks all, its so exciting!! Think the double dinette is the way to go, could put us in the back on the made up double and if we find one with long enough front seating the kids could have one each as a single bed.  We have a dealer 500m away lol (McIntyre Caravans part of the Golden Castle group). Theres also Pearman Briggs the other side of Gloucester and they are an Adria dealer and Adrias are my favourite mainly as lightweight, cheaper and simple non fussy interior.

Fiona, I keep telling Stuart look how much camping gear we have to sell (to put towards van!!) and how little we'd have to buy as loads of bits we could use in the van/awning  We have somehow acumulated far too much stuff

 Wish this rain would stop!!

as I have said on prev posts on this subject. dont rush into it and dont listen to tales of how good an item is and its value .

its a buyers market there are plenty of units to be had at your price range. always remember caravan dealers are no different to any other dealer they are after a high profit and a unit on their site is marked up by at least £1k even commision sales are priced as high as poss to gain the return.

yes before the replies flood in they are trying to earn a living but its your money they are trying to live on.  and your rights are as the same as a car once it leaves them "very limited" unless you get off on court battles as some do.

take your time and remember your caravan by its size as well as weight will dictate your car and journey.   but once you have the bug its quite a nice look back on the freedom you will get,  as to size take into account the Awning and use of, I have found that with children of yours age a pop up tent and air bed is desired by them for their space put up at night in the awning when they have a pal along or as I now do attach a bedroom annex.  dosent stop them from taking over inside most of the time but its a space of their own to call on.

take a look at the layout of mine. although they are very rare but do exist in that layout in newer vans you just have to search.