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Subject Topic: Looking at a caravan but no idea!!! Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonA900ss
21/6/2015 at 9:22pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Vango Eden 400 View A900ss's Profile View Profile   Reply to A900ss Reply   Quote A900ss Quote  
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Hi,

I appreciate this post is vague but I have no fixed ideas yet....

What caravan would you recommend for a family of 4, kids are 8 and 5, for non-caravanners?

Maybe looking at getting a caravan for weekends away, maybe 5 a year? What sort of price will a reasonable (safe and secure with necessary home comforts) cost? I really have no idea.

What should I be looking out for feature wise?

Thanks for any advise for a potential newbie.


PersonGrampian91
21/6/2015 at 9:43pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

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The choice is vast, The main essentials before anyone can advise is..

Budget, Exact car details, or the kerbweight and max tow if you know those. When did you pass your driving test?

Features, Any basic van may do unless there is something specific that you require like a fixed bed.


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PersonA900ss
21/6/2015 at 9:47pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Vango Eden 400 View A900ss's Profile View Profile   Reply to A900ss Reply   Quote A900ss Quote  
Joined: 29/5/2015

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Passed test donkeys ago so no restrictions (ex HGV 1 driver).

Car is a new 5 series estate so fairly chunky weight.

Budget - as little as I need to be safe and comfortable. Say, upto £8 but ideally £5. Is that sufficient?


PersonA900ss
21/6/2015 at 9:48pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Vango Eden 400 View A900ss's Profile View Profile   Reply to A900ss Reply   Quote A900ss Quote  
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Apparently my car is 1,810KG unladen.


Personalbee
21/6/2015 at 9:52pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View albee's Profile View Profile   Reply to albee Reply   Quote albee Quote  
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Hi, caravans come at all prices, from a few hundred pounds upwards, first go and have a look at a caravan centre to choose an internal layout that would suit you. we have 2 kids and prefer a double dinette layout that makes up into a double bed or 2 singles at each end. we first brought a cheaper van originally from private seller as it came with a lot of equipment that a dealer charges extra for, and was ready to use. then if you like it you can upgrade to a newer caravan. we now have a bailey ranger which we like.    


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Personscurry
21/6/2015 at 10:03pm
 Location: York
 Outfit: Ace Jubilee Courier 2008 - Honda CR-V View scurry's Profile View Profile   Reply to scurry Reply   Quote scurry Quote  
Joined: 04/9/2008

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Hi, I would agree with Albee also, however on our latest van we decided to go for fixed bunk (6 Berth) at the rear with my kids aged 10 and 6. The layout also has a side dinette where this kids can play/chill out.

We pulled it with a VW Passat which managed fine but have upgraded to a Honda CR-V which we dont even notice its on the back!!

You could get a nice looking van for around the 5 - 6k mark. We got our 2008 for just over 6k last year

-------------
2015 - Playa Montriog Spain
2016 - Private villa in Javea Spain
2017 - Unknown


PersonA900ss
21/6/2015 at 10:04pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Vango Eden 400 View A900ss's Profile View Profile   Reply to A900ss Reply   Quote A900ss Quote  
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Any ideas what I NEED to spend?

Thanks


Personscurry
21/6/2015 at 10:17pm
 Location: York
 Outfit: Ace Jubilee Courier 2008 - Honda CR-V View scurry's Profile View Profile   Reply to scurry Reply   Quote scurry Quote  
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I would spend around 5-6 and will include everything to go away, awning, groundsheet, aqua roll, waste, electric hookup etc

-------------
2015 - Playa Montriog Spain
2016 - Private villa in Javea Spain
2017 - Unknown


Personcheckley1973
21/6/2015 at 10:43pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636 View checkley1973's Profile View Profile   Reply to checkley1973 Reply   Quote checkley1973 Quote  
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Avoid triple bunks. You don't need them and head height is poor. Our two didn't like them and we ended up selling the van and buying a fixed bed. Never looked back.


Personscurry
21/6/2015 at 10:45pm
 Location: York
 Outfit: Ace Jubilee Courier 2008 - Honda CR-V View scurry's Profile View Profile   Reply to scurry Reply   Quote scurry Quote  
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Yes we looked into the triple and the head room is shocking!!

-------------
2015 - Playa Montriog Spain
2016 - Private villa in Javea Spain
2017 - Unknown


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PersonWibsey
21/6/2015 at 11:55pm
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 570 kia Sportage View Wibsey's Profile View Profile   Reply to Wibsey Reply   Quote Wibsey Quote  
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It is hard to work out what will work for you, there are 4 of us but our kids are 16&14 so we have bought our caravan based on the fact they wont be coming for much longer. We went for a fixed bed, but the kids love it, and the share the front double (boy & girl) but the dog sleeps between them lol. For longer trips we have a full awning and our son (14) sleeps in a bedroom annex.
I agree you need to go and have a play and see what you think fits your family.


PersonFee Fi Fo
22/6/2015 at 11:33pm
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Bailey Olympus 540-5 View Fee Fi Fo's Profile View Profile   Reply to Fee Fi Fo Reply   Quote Fee Fi Fo Quote  
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We like the fixed bunks in our caravan. I would advise that with caravans you get what you pay for. If you already know that these are the holidays you will want to do for the next 5-7years then it is worth buying as expensive a van as you can manage.

That the van is sound and damp free is as important/more important than layout in lots of ways as for weekends which is what you say in your post you can compromise a bit on layout.


PersonSMEESH
23/6/2015 at 8:47am
 Location: South Lanarkshire
 Outfit: Wee Berthy. View SMEESH's Profile View Profile   Reply to SMEESH Reply   Quote SMEESH Quote  
Joined: 05/8/2011

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       Agree with the round about 5 G mark... My advice would be to tread carefully at this price when buying. Get a good quality damp meter and check absolutely every where. Concentrate your checks round the fridge vents ,window frames and the join were the van internal walls meet the ceiling. Awning rail leaks are usually the cause of damp issues in this area.
   
       Gave up touring 2 years ago but decided to buy a wee cheap 2 berth for myself as i missed the freedom of getting away at a moments notice and was astonished at the amount of Dick Turpins out there trying to con me. Although my budget was a lot tighter it took me nearly 2 months in finding a dry fully working unit and was even at the point of giving up.

        Get someone who has toured and owned van's for a number of years to assist you in checking the van out. Service history etc.. Even ask when the pads were changed on the alko stabiliser and get the seller to set the van up as if on site. Checking heating,cooker,fridge lighting and the Thetford toilet works. Do not take anything for granted. Have read many hard luck stories on many caravan forums were the buyer has been stung

          Don't know what part of the country you are in but I ended up buying my "Wee Berthy" from these guy
Family run outfit for many years and only deal in second hand units . There prices are very competitive and have a ever changing stock. Don't get any extras though were as privately you could get the lot and save yourself a small fortune.....

                                           SMEESH.......

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There is no such thing as "Living the Dream" , THIS IS IT and do your best to make the best of IT ......


PersonSMEESH
23/6/2015 at 8:50am
 Location: South Lanarkshire
 Outfit: Wee Berthy. View SMEESH's Profile View Profile   Reply to SMEESH Reply   Quote SMEESH Quote  
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link did not work... www.countyleisurecaravans.co.uk/

                                   

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There is no such thing as "Living the Dream" , THIS IS IT and do your best to make the best of IT ......



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