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I am thinking of purchasing either a used or new Jetstream caravan.  Does anyone have any past experience of these caravans as I am all new to this type of camping.  Pit falls or what they are really like to tow and what is really good about them. 

Many thanks

Some previous posts on Freedom vans  might be of interest.

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/search.asp?search=freedom&searchMode=phrase&searchIn=Topic&forum=8&searchSort=dateDESC&ly=2&Submit=Start+Search

We had a 2005 Sunseeker prima, it was fab, only sold it as our son is growing now and really need some thing bigger.

We had a stablizer on ours and towed it all over uk and france with no problems with a 1.4 ford focus & 1.6 C max.

I love them, they are cheap (compared to other small vans) light to tow and you can fit loads of stuff in them!  Fab vans for couples.

We had a Freedom jetstream 1st class model which we towed with a Nissan Almeria, 1.6 petrol.  It towed well but there was a hot water tank fitted at the back which was heavy and when we unhitched we had to hold the front down or it pitched backwards. 

Plus points

A large front locker, good on petrol consumption and easy to tow.

Downsides

After a few trips we felt that it was a bit small for us as the bed could only be used as a double and necessitated climbing over one of us to get up in the night and due to the short length of the van was not long enough to lounge with feet up and when in the seating mode could only just seat four people. 

The walls inside were lined with a fabric feeling material which I worried may be difficult to keep clean and might absorb kitchen smells (may not be the same on new models, ours was a 2005 if my memory serves me well).

The toilet/shower compartment was tight and I used it more than my husband as he did not mind using camp facilities.  I got fed up with having to tip the basin upright to use the loo and down again to wash your hands.  Not really bit enough for a comfortable shower.

We chose the Freedom as we were not sure if we wanted to tow, would like caravanning.  Not a particulary good financial decision as we lost money on trading it back in and getting a bigger van, a Lunar Ariva.  Then after a season we traded that in for an Avondale Dart with a big, across the back, bathroom which we found suited us best (especially me). Thus having to trade in car as well - just goes on and on.

If you are governed by car size, cost or available storage you would find that the size of the Freedom means you are able to go caravanning but if there arn't those considerations and you are going small to see if you will like a caravan then I would advise going for a big as you can afford cos if you love it you will hopefully save money rather than losing out as we did with trading in for a bigger van.  I don't know what size tent you have, if large you could feel cramped in a very small van.

Hope this helps.

Carol