|
 Topic: Which caravan to buy
|
  |
16/6/2013 at 4:28pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 30/8/2011 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 2719
| Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
You should be able to pick up an older Bailey Ranger for that money and they are a lightweight caravan to tow or an Avondale which is also lightweight.
|
| Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off! |
|
|
|
16/6/2013 at 5:53pm
Location: whitstable kent
Outfit: sterling eccles sport 584 freelander 2
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 05/8/2009 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 1784
| Site Reviews Total: | 7 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Avonadale argent 550/4 is a nice family van, and should find one in that price bracket.
-------------
"I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
|
16/6/2013 at 6:34pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: 1996 Bailey Senator 5000
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 31/5/2012 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 501
| Site Reviews Total: | 3 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
With that budget you have a great deal of choice. Look at the layouts of the vans and then choose one that suits.
I have a bailer senator 5000. I love the end bedroom for my girls as it gives us some privacy in the evenings. I never liked the end bathroom types as I wouldn't want the kids sleeping at our toes.
Also worth looking at what weight you can tow with your vehicle. My van is as big as my Mondeo will tow.
Whatever you buy make sure you take a damp meter with you and check everywhere. If DIY is your bag don't be put off by a slight damp reading as you'll be in the 10-15 year old van range and many will have some signs. Slight damp is easily and cheap easily fixed with a reseal of awning rails and external fittings. If DIY isn't you thing then walk away as professional repairs are very expensive due to being time consuming.
|
16/6/2013 at 7:04pm
Location: west country
Outfit: None Entered
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 29/3/2009 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 4665
| Site Reviews Total: | 15 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
It all depends on what layout you want. It's no good taking someone else's recommendation if you don't like the layout. Once you have looked at some and decided on your preferred layout find one like that and make sure it is DRY.
A damp Bailey is as bad as a damp Avondale is as bad as any other van recommended that turns out to be damp.
£3000 should be buying you an early naughties van - 2001 - 2004.
|
16/6/2013 at 7:04pm
Location: Ivybridge Devon
Outfit: Bailey Pageant Burgundy series 6
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 20/4/2004 Gold Member 
Forum Posts: 343
| Site Reviews Total: | 2 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
I agree with Jay
I would first check out what the max weight my car can pull then from there you know the heaviest van you can pull.
Then you will need to decide what berth you want
family of 4 would be 4 or 5 berth van
There are numerous different layouts available end kitchen, end bathroom L shaped front. To get an idea of the different layouts you could go to a caravan dealer and have a look around or look on ebay as there are normally quite a few pics.
Once you have an idea of what you want always go and look at the van and as above if you can get hold of a damp meter then use it to check the van for damp.
I would think on your budget you would be looking at a van from around 1998 maybe a bit newer.I am sorry to say that I think some people are being to optimistic with what age of van you can get. we recently bought our second van a 4 berth Compass Rallye 1998 for £2900 but we did have all the bits an pieces ie aqua rolls wastemaster etc. We did get a full awning with the van and a 3 month warranty.
I still look at ebay to see if we could have got anything better for our money and there are no 4 berth vans newer than 2000 for £3000 most are around 1998
If you are just starting could be an idea to look for one that comes with everything
good luck in you search and welcome to the world of caravanning
Post last edited on 16/06/2013 20:24:51
|
17/6/2013 at 6:43pm
Location: Reading
Outfit: fleetwood countryside 450-ek
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 02/7/2011 Silver Member 
Forum Posts: 126
| Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
managed to get a 1999 fleetwood countryside last year for £3500 and have done some resealing , not because it had damp just because i want to make sure it won't have any in the near future and this year it's awning rails 
boy do i know how to have fun !!! 
|
|
