Message Forums

Can anyone help, still debating if and what to buy, may not be till early next year now as unlikely to get away this year as been on our main holiday already and have a baby due in November so seems little point buying now just to pay storage costs for an extra 10 months.

But the question is this, what vans have this layout:

Fixed  Bunks (2 or 3 not bothered) seating/dining area either in the rear or middle (so kids have own seating and table), and your useual seating up front. MTPLM 1300KG or Less

Models I have seen and like are Adria Altea 542 UK or DT, Bailey Orion 450, struggling to find any others.

Age wise either new or nearly new (no more than 2 years old so it has some warranty left)

There's a few adria's on ebay for £9250 - £10000 which are brand new shame I'm not ready to buy now. But the more research I do hopefully will avoid a dodgy van.

Also I notice they don't have AKS as standard, any idea what they cost fitted or are they easy enough to fit DIY?

Any thoughts??

Check this site out. You can search by layout

http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/caravans.html

If my memory serves me right we bought a stabiliser for our first van Alko 1300. My OH is an engineer and totally competent to fit one but the dealer did it for free so we were happy with that. Buying our next van (bigger and heavier) we left our ont he old van and up graded to the Alko 3004 again the dealer fitted it for free and we only paid the difference. Our brand new van came with a stabiliser already fitted which was a Winterhoff. So the dealer gave up a trade in price for our old stabiliser

Personally I prefer a Winterhoff they are far far more user friendly that any of the Al-Ko ones.

They don't cost the earth and they are easy to fit

http://www.caravantech-shop.co.uk/products/towing-and-security-chassis/hitch-locks-a-frame-covers/3004-safety-device

This is the one we have and I am a female and do sometimes tow solo. I find it extremely easy to use

http://www.winterhoff.de/english/ws3000.html

I hope this has been of some help to you

Thanks, had been looking on caravanfinder, but the only issue there is if thier isn't one for sale it doesn't appear in the list, other issue I found was you can't specify weight so I eneded up with loads of twin wheelers.

Thanks, for info on stabaliser had only really heard of ALKO, had a quick google and they seem to simply bolt on, I am a technical person by trade so have no issues with fitting most things, have done a few towbars over the years with my dad so sure it can't be any worse.

You mention the 542uk but they only were made until 2008. The replacement is the 542DK.This has a similar layout. The main living area's are at both ends. I have the 542DT which has a triple bunk and a side dinette ideal for the kids and again the tradional front seats that form a double bed.

We had the 542UK and loved it but found the mid washroom just too small and it now looks a bit dated.The DK has a similar layout. The Dt on the other hand has a massive washroom at the end of the van. The 542DT and DK as from 2010 have polyester side walls and are very robust(no more awning pole or bike dings) They look very modern and a bit different. They are now full uk spec and use all the accessories found on British vans. The bunks and dinettes are the largest you will generally come across.

They are very easy to tow as they have a longer draw bar than most British vans making it more stable.

Quote: Originally posted by wizzo on 15/6/2011

---

You mention the 542uk but they only were made until 2008. The replacement is the 542DK.This has a similar layout. The main living area's are at both ends. I have the 542DT which has a triple bunk and a side dinette ideal for the kids and again the tradional front seats that form a double bed.

We had the 542UK and loved it but found the mid washroom just too small and it now looks a bit dated.The DK has a similar layout. The Dt on the other hand has a massive washroom at the end of the van. The 542DT and DK as from 2010 have polyester side walls and are very robust(no more awning pole or bike dings) They look very modern and a bit different. They are now full uk spec and use all the accessories found on British vans. The bunks and dinettes are the largest you will generally come across.

They are very easy to tow as they have a longer draw bar than most British vans making it more stable.

---

Didn't realize it was now the DK, had seen that and I agree about the washroom, out of all I've seen the DT is first on my list, and the larger shower is a good feature for me to help persuade my wife to take the plunge.

I used to go camping as a child, in a caravan until I was about 7 then in a conway royale TT from age 7 to about 15 (there was 3 children inc me) when I stopped going with my parents, and they have since moved on to motorhomes. But for the past 7 years we have been going to Florida for 2 or 3 weeks (me, wife and son now 6) but with a baby on the way we won't be going back for a few years so thought it would be a good time to see some of the UK and europe

We went away earlier in the year in April to a static van in yarmouth and it was a terrible experiance, rained non stop, van was freezing, we went with friends with a baby so they had the double bed and we had singles which were so small I fell out every night and my feet touched the ends, So in the end after 3 days of no sleep we went home a day early, so its put her off a bit, but she is coming round to it, and that nice big washroom in the DT will help, as she is obsessed with cleanliness so using site showers may be an issue on some sites.

I have such good memories of sites when I was a kid, we used to go all over europe and I know my son would love it.

Here are a few: Bailey Ranger 550/6 , Lunar Zenith,  Avondale Dart 556/6,  Coachman Amara 560/6, only know these as it was what we were looking for a while ago but we decided they were a bit big for our first caravan and opted for a 5 berth. Hope this helps and good luck with the search and the new baby .

Karen

Hi I agree with Wizzo we have the 542 UK 2008 and it is a brilliant van, absolutely no complaints from the family. We are also in the process of considering moving up to the 542 DK model but probably in the new year. I agree the washroom is small but we always use CC Site so washing has never been an issue, never even used the van shower.

The bunks and beds are the best, as a part from the upper bunk i have kipped (5ft 11") top to toe) on all and they are comfy

Terrible thing is they are like hens teeth very few and far between.

Good like with your search.

Chris W

Bailey GT 60 540/6 fits your bill or if you can get one the olympus 546 has the same layout as the GT60 both have all the alko hitch thingys and 3 seperate front windows + two of them helki windows.

By next year you should be able to pick up an Olympus Second hand as they have stopped making them for some reason.

The 542 DK looks the same nearly as the Baileys inside except for the 3 bunks in the Baileys and only two in the DK also the baileys have 3 seperate front windows but the DK has one big one or as the caravan reveiws put it cost cutting and cheap.

http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/2010/video-bailey-caravans-olympus-546-new-caravan-2010.html

http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/2009/new_caravan_video_2009_adria_altea_542_dk.html

http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/2010/video-bailey-caravans-ranger-gt-540-new-caravan-2010.html

Post last edited on 15/06/2011 14:53:27

Hi Mark, sounds like our layout.

Have a look at this.

I believe from 2009 with Lunar that the 6 year warranty is transferable.

Not sure about the bathroom size though, pretty standard in these.

http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/caravan/Trade/5D2E29585A1752D7802577F3004794A7/

Thanks for the replies, anyone have preference on build quality or difference makes? also do some of these have dual fuel for the heater and water or is the water always just electric. Would ideally like to be able to heat the water on gas just incase we ever go some where and can't get EHU.

we have a 2010 bailey ranger 540/6

http://www.bailey-caravans.co.uk/images/downloads/bly1155_540_6_leaflet_04.pdf

Quote: Originally posted by s66614a on 15/6/2011

---

Thanks for the replies, anyone have preference on build quality or difference makes? also do some of these have dual fuel for the heater and water or is the water always just electric. Would ideally like to be able to heat the water on gas just incase we ever go some where and can't get EHU.

 

---

I think you will find most are dual fuel water heaters. The Adria's post 2008 are.The old 542uk was only electric water. The Adria only has gas for the fire but is has blown air fitted and it cost my £150 to add the truma heat electric element so the heating is now dual fuel. Most British vans have dual fuel heating as standard.

Your choice also very much depends on how old are you children and how long you want to keep the van. The Adria bunks and side dinette are huge both in width and length.

Quote: Originally posted by wizzo on 15/6/2011

---

I think you will find most are dual fuel water heaters. The Adria's post 2008 are.The old 542uk was only electric water. The Adria only has gas for the fire but is has blown air fitted and it cost my £150 to add the truma heat electric element so the heating is now dual fuel. Most British vans have dual fuel heating as standard.

Your choice also very much depends on how old are you children and how long you want to keep the van. The Adria bunks and side dinette are huge both in width and length.

---

The adria DT is still my faivourite, its the extra bit of space in the bathroom, but they are a bit sparse on equipment compared to a UK van, but I'm concerned by the number of posts on here of nearly new british vans with leaks.

Is the adria a safer bet for build quality? even if you have to add a few extras to get the same spec as a british van.

Quote: Originally posted by s66614a on 15/6/2011

---

Quote: Originally posted by wizzo on 15/6/2011

---

I think you will find most are dual fuel water heaters. The Adria's post 2008 are.The old 542uk was only electric water. The Adria only has gas for the fire but is has blown air fitted and it cost my £150 to add the truma heat electric element so the heating is now dual fuel. Most British vans have dual fuel heating as standard.

Your choice also very much depends on how old are you children and how long you want to keep the van. The Adria bunks and side dinette are huge both in width and length.

---

The adria DT is still my faivourite, its the extra bit of space in the bathroom, but they are a bit sparse on equipment compared to a UK van, but I'm concerned by the number of posts on here of nearly new british vans with leaks.

Is the adria a safer bet for build quality? even if you have to add a few extras to get the same spec as a british van.

---

Yes I agree they are a bit sparse on some of the equipment for example,there is no lid for the sink. I bought one from a bailey that fitted perfect but for such a small cost why did they leave it out otherwise you lose valuable work space.Again they should have fitted the trumaheat as standard. There is no front centre cushion and again I bought this as an extra for £115. The oven and grill fitted is only small but you get a massive storage locker below and we still big enough for our Sunday roast. It may not have a microwave but it has masses of storage space.The seats are foam rather than sprung. They are not the most comfortable but will now doubt last the test of time. The upholstery is more than adequate and is in fact made in the UK(I found this out when ordering the front cushion).

 It is only fitted with steel wheels but has wheel covers.They also come with a spare.One nice touch on the 2011 model is that you don't need a cover for the wheel arch for the awning as it has a panel that clips in place.

On the flip side they are very well made. The polyester sides are brilliant. When th dealer fitted an external socket i asked them to give me back the blank they cut out. I have wacked it against a door handle with force and no damage. The roof is also polyester. On the polyester models the front and rear panels a glued together rather than using screws to avoid water ingress. This is infact the same construction technique that used in the constuction a chassis in modern day cars. The lockers have metal hinges and stays and everything goes together very well indeed.

The awning rail that joins the roof to the sides also differs from british vans in that most of the profile is on the top of the roof with an overhang on to the side. Most british van have the main awning profile on the side of the van with very little overlap on the roof. This means with the Adria that that you have good inch of sealent an top of the van(where most water will collect). You very rarely hear of a damp Adria but there is always a chance with any make of caravan

The Adria is very well insulated .This includes the wheel arches and heater ducting generally goes inside but if it does have to go outsise it is inslutated ducting to reduce heat loss. The seats have back boards to keep the cushions away from the sides and help with air circulation. These vans are designed to cope with  holidaying in the European ski resorts.

We love ours but is no doubt others who will have different opinions.