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Subject Topic: Which caravan to buy Post Reply Post New Topic
Persongrif43
16/6/2013 at 3:04pm
 Location: lancs
 Outfit: outwell tennessee vango diablo 900 xp View grif43's Profile View Profile   Reply to grif43 Reply   Quote grif43 Quote  
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Can anyone advise on a first caravan. Family of four. What make, how old etc. Looking to spend about £3000.


Personbirdman101
16/6/2013 at 4:28pm
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: 2023Archway Woodford View birdman101's Profile View Profile   Reply to birdman101 Reply   Quote birdman101 Quote  
Joined: 30/8/2011

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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.


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Personmurano
16/6/2013 at 5:53pm
 Location: whitstable kent
 Outfit: sterling eccles sport 584 freelander 2 View murano's Profile View Profile   Reply to murano Reply   Quote murano Quote  
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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.


Personjayc001
16/6/2013 at 6:34pm
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: 1996 Bailey Senator 5000 View jayc001's Profile View Profile   Reply to jayc001 Reply   Quote jayc001 Quote  
Joined: 31/5/2012

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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.


Personmillermicm
16/6/2013 at 7:04pm
 Location: west country
 Outfit: None Entered View millermicm's Profile View Profile   Reply to millermicm Reply   Quote millermicm Quote  
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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.


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Personrobert/julie
16/6/2013 at 7:04pm
 Location: Ivybridge Devon
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Burgundy series 6 View robert/julie's Profile View Profile   Reply to robert/julie Reply   Quote robert/julie Quote  
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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


Persongrif43
17/6/2013 at 6:34pm
 Location: lancs
 Outfit: outwell tennessee vango diablo 900 xp View grif43's Profile View Profile   Reply to grif43 Reply   Quote grif43 Quote  
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Thank's for your quick replies .Ill have a look around local van shops to get an idea of layouts.Ill have to buy a bigger car also.


Personbigstu99
17/6/2013 at 6:43pm
 Location: Reading
 Outfit: fleetwood countryside 450-ek View bigstu99's Profile View Profile   Reply to bigstu99 Reply   Quote bigstu99 Quote  
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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 !!! 




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