Message Forums

We are looking for our first caravan, and seem to have looked at so many I'm seeing them when I close my eyes!

Thought it would be easy to find what I want but it isn't, not sure if its my location (north East) but can't find my van.

If any of you clever helpful people spot anything like this can you give me a heads up

I would like 4/5 berth with double dinnete with and end seating area that makes into double bed and or bunk.  Around the £5000/£5500 mark but would pay more if it came with awning etc, needs to be quite light as only normal car.

I'm not being lazy but perhaps going a little bit crazy and any help would be gratefully received.

Quote: Originally posted by White Rose on 22/6/2011

---

Do you want to buy from a dealer or privately? And, when you say "normal car" - do you know what weight you can go up to as that might focus your choices a bit?

---

looking for single wheel one

Sorry but it made me chuckle. If you go to a dealer ask for a single axel.

Phil

Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 22/6/2011

---

looking for single wheel one

Sorry but it made me chuckle. If you go to a dealer ask for a single axel.

Phil

---

As a slight alternative if size / weight is an issue, look for an Elddis Avante 475 or equivalent. We have one. Front dinette double, rear corner dinette double with bunk over, corner washroom alongside. Kitchen on offside, useful sized worktop and cabinets opposite.

This layout saves length having the washroom in the corner, and it's not a bad size room either (I can use it and I'm not by any means small!)

I manhandle it myself (on the flat!!) and tow with a Megane diesel as the MPTLM is only 1200kg (car kerbweight 1425 according to weighbridge, before people think car isn't up to the job)....

I must admit I wouldve ideally gone for a traditional twin dinette, but the extra length and weight would've meant a larger car, which wasn't an option, as it's also my driving school car, can't use anything massive for that job!!

You should have a nose around a few dealers to get a better idea what you do/don't like about various makes and make a list of the ones you like, try and imagine your stuff in it and how you plan to live in it.

My personal "must" is a decent amount of workspace, we sold our last van after just one trip as it had hardly any and it was so inconvenient. There are compromises in every layout so try and think of your priorities.

If the above weights apply to cckids' car, I'd say there's plenty to go at for a first van around that budget, which would buy a van circa 2000-2004 ish depending on spec and dealer/private.

Aforementioned Elddis Avante 475, Bailey ranger 500/5, Lunar Zenith as mentioned, probably a multitude of others around that age, when vans were a good few kgs lighter...

Agree on nosing round plenty of vans, the more you compare the better (we tramped through dozens) and obviously picture yourselves and your gear in it, and how the available space would work for you. You hear of people buying 'the wrong layout', but IMHO with sufficient groundwork it shouldn't happen.

Good luck! Even the searching is part of the fun!

your caravan needs to be at 85% of your cars kerb weight to be safe on tow.we have a bailey ranger 500/5 and have beds at both ends.ie rear two singles or a double.there is also a bunk bed at the back over the top of the main bed.the weight of ours is 1272 kgs MTPLM.MAX LOAD.check your towbar weight too as some are only 50 kgs,most are 75 kgs.ours is 92 kgs.you do not want to buy a van and then have a car that can not pull it.it does happen.

www.caravanfinder.co.uk see here for choice