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Subject Topic: Lightweight caravans
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PersonMinkypom
27/2/2014 at 10:46pm
 Location: South
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Hello everyone

Well here's an update on our first caravan search...

Been to the library to get some books about caravanning, have been following several threads here and have asked a question or 2 as well. Also been ringing round getting on lists for storage. Generally getting prepared and trying to become as well informed as possible so that we don't make a poor choice.

Made the realisation last night that when we called our car dealer to check the curb weight they actually gave us the max towing weight so we have been looking at caravans far too heavy for the car!

Anyway being very brave about it if a little red faced and now looking for much lighter options. So far looks like the Bailey Orion range might be for us if we can find one in or around budget and in the right half of the country.

Are there any other comparable ranges we should be looking at?

Does anyone have any thoughts to share on the Orions ( 5 or 6 berth)?

Thanks for reading.


Persontango55
28/2/2014 at 1:02am
 Location: Lichfield
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If you are looking for a caravan that is not too old then I think that 'Sprite' make some lightweight caravans in comparison to other manufacturers and cheaper too but of course this depends on your budget. It maybe not what you are looking for but at least it will give you an alternative in your search.


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PersonMinkypom
28/2/2014 at 6:36am
 Location: South
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Thank you, that's helpful.


Personandyfisher
28/2/2014 at 7:31am
 Location: Yorkshire
 Outfit: Adria altea 542 dt Freelander 2 View andyfisher's Profile View Profile   Reply to andyfisher Reply   Quote andyfisher Quote  
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We were looking for lightweight 5/6 birth. Sprite are lightweight. We looked at them but ended up with an Adria altea 6 birth that is 1300kg max laden weight. Take a look at Adria.   When I was researching they seemed to be highly regarded by many reviews and we are very happy with ours.


Personromany girl
28/2/2014 at 7:50am
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: ElddisAvante462 Honda CRV SE2.2 i-Dtec View romany girl's Profile View Profile   Reply to romany girl Reply   Quote romany girl Quote  
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Lunar also do lightweight caravans, so do Elddis with their Explore range.

Take a look at the Venus, Zenith and Quasar ranges from Lunar.

The one thing that really put me off the Orions was the lack of a front locker, it would have driven me potty not having a 'shed' to keep all the outdoor caravanning bits and bobs in whilst on site and in storage, its suprising how much lightweight bulky stuff they can hold.

Julia

-------------
Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife

Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!


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PersonFrancais
28/2/2014 at 9:47am
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Yep been looking at similar type vans for a year or two now, been to the NEC shows etc, so have built up quite a reasonable knowledge base.

The Bailey Orion 430-4 was on my hit list, as we are looking mostly at fixed bed, although there is plenty of 4 berth none fixed bed that you could set up to become a fixed bed.

The van that we have decided on so far is the Adria Altea Tay 432PX also branded as the Adria SportLine PX by Venture caravans, who add alloy wheels and a few other bits and bobs which push's the price up a little over the standard Adria offering.

The Adria is a little lighter than the Bailey, and it is said the longer drawbar on the Adria helps with towing.

Also no front compartment on the Bailey like most vans have, but with the Bailey Gas is stored midships which I think makes a lot of sense.

There is or was an all electric version of the Orion, which would make it lighter than the regular models, not sure I would like to be with out Gas though.

I like the idea of the Bailey construction, and other makes seem to be going down a similar route of leaving timber out were they can.


Personwarrenb
28/2/2014 at 10:10am
 Location: Tonbridge
 Outfit: Pastiche 520 4 View warrenb's Profile View Profile   Reply to warrenb Reply   Quote warrenb Quote  
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I have a Venus 500/4 which is superb, no problems and a real quality product for the money. Tows really well, and doesn't look out of place amongst it's more expensive friends.

-------------
Warren


Personsunshinetours
28/2/2014 at 10:26am
 Location: sunny south east!
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Quote: Originally posted by Minkypom on 27/2/2014
Hello everyone

Well here's an update on our first caravan search...

Been to the library to get some books about caravanning, have been following several threads here and have asked a question or 2 as well. Also been ringing round getting on lists for storage. Generally getting prepared and trying to become as well informed as possible so that we don't make a poor choice.

Made the realisation last night that when we called our car dealer to check the curb weight they actually gave us the max towing weight so we have been looking at caravans far too heavy for the car!

Anyway being very brave about it if a little red faced and now looking for much lighter options. So far looks like the Bailey Orion range might be for us if we can find one in or around budget and in the right half of the country.

Are there any other comparable ranges we should be looking at?

Does anyone have any thoughts to share on the Orions ( 5 or 6 berth)?

Thanks for reading.


What sort of max weight are you looking at and what age are kids?

We also have an Adria Altea 542DT which is a large van at 7.23m long and 2.29m wide but only weighs a maximum of 1300kg fully laoded. It has good size washroom, 3 fixed bunks which are near domestic size in width and length and all the basic equipment you would need including side dinette and front lounge and great storage.

Very pleased with quality and feels like its should last us years.

As others have said others are out there from most manufacturers. biggest thing is to try and find a dry van and hopefully one that will stay dry!


Personbobmel
28/2/2014 at 11:52am
 Location: Aberdeen
 Outfit: Coachman Pastiche 460 VW Tiguan Moti View bobmel's Profile View Profile   Reply to bobmel Reply   Quote bobmel Quote  
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Here is a site that might help you.

-------------
Robert (BoB)


Personalan29
28/2/2014 at 1:49pm
 Location: Wirral
 Outfit: Swift Freestyle 520 on seasonal pitch View alan29's Profile View Profile   Reply to alan29 Reply   Quote alan29 Quote  
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If you cant stretch to an Orion, look for a Bailey Ranger. Great lightweight vans.


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Personpenguin73
28/2/2014 at 3:17pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: lunar quaser ultima & Merc E Class View penguin73's Profile View Profile   Reply to penguin73 Reply   Quote penguin73 Quote  
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weve just changed our van from an orion to a lunar.....loved the orion but husband saw this new one and wanted it!!!!....orion is a great van we thought we would miss the front locker but never did..ours was the 6 berth 530-6....

-------------
Oct 2013- south lytchett manor dorset
Feb 2014- Lady Heyes
April 2014- Jasmine Park
May 2014 - Jasmine Park Again....
July 2014 - Gwithian
Oct 2014 - Beverley Park

and hopefully many more..esp Jasmine Park..


PersonMinkypom
28/2/2014 at 10:41pm
 Location: South
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Thank you everyone. Going to see a couple of Orions soon. Will also keep an eye out for Adrias too.

Our max is 1392kg and the boys are 7 and 12, plus we would like a decent size shower room so a proper mix of "wants".

Have a good weekend all :-)


PersonWhite Rose
01/3/2014 at 12:35am
 Location: West Yorkshire
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Minkypom - is that your max weight at 85% of your kerbweight or is that your kerbweight? What car are you towing with? Our first caravan was a Lunar Apollo 524 which was only 1200 MTPLM - what price range are you looking in?


Personclever
01/3/2014 at 12:50am
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: Adria Altea 542DT View clever's Profile View Profile   Reply to clever Reply   Quote clever Quote  
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Another vote for the Adria Altea 542DT or DK

They are well worth checking out as I'm sure your kids will love the huge bunks. It also has an excellent large shower room.

Not sure where you are located, but I would recommend a trip to Venture Caravans


Personcheckley1973
01/3/2014 at 8:39am
 Location: Sheffield
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And another vote for Adria 542 DT or DK depending on your preferences. We've had our DT for a year now and it's been great.


PersonSamP
01/3/2014 at 5:32pm
 Location: S Wales The Badland
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 530 View SamP's Profile View Profile   Reply to SamP Reply   Quote SamP Quote  
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Another website that might help you make a good choice here

http://www.towcar.info/basic_index.php

If you put in the details of your car it will show you if any given caravan is a good match.

It could prevent a lot of problems.

-------------
SamP



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