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Topic: Getting a headache!

skipp66

02/5/2016 at 5:57pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: None Entered

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Afternoon all, well after much deliberation, The oh and I have decided to get a tin top!
We have been avid campers for many years, but both really fancy a bit more luxury.
So decided to sell all the camping gear and trailer, and get a "van"
Will have a budget of around 3K and after looking at lot's of vans have settled on 2 berth end washroom layout.
Towing is not an issue as I tow at work, and weights are fine as we have a 2006 Sportage diesel 4x4 .
Now The headache! So much choice of manufacture!!!
Are some better than others? Or is it more a matter of condition first and make and model second?
I'm aware that biggest issue with second hand van's is damp, so a metre is the first purchase.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks Dan.

baddon

02/5/2016 at 6:29pm
Location: Near Belfast
Outfit: Ranger & Hymer Nova

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You will have loads of choice on the 2 berth. We were looking for a 5 berth at the silly time of year and to be honest fell lucky. Best bet is to find a decent dealer who you trust and tell them what you want, look at loads of stuff and see if it helps you short-list. If your not in a hurry visit loads of dealers and see what is about. IF you really know your stuff you can of course go private and should get more for your money. We noticed not a lot of main/bigger dealers don't sell 3-4K vans.

We got a Bailey Ranger (have been told by loads of dealers its a basic van ) BUT its a place to sleep and keep you warm and dry. So more bells and whistles just add weight, cost and potential problems with older vans. Make sure you get a full starter pack with an awning that is easy to put up (we got a cheaper van but an air awning as its faster to put up and down) Get whom ever you buy from to go through EVERYTHING and both of you pay attention as its a cert you will forget some of it. What switches turn on the water pump, how to prime it, drain hot tank. How to winterise the van (drain fluids so frost dont do any damage) What way to leave it if un-used for longer periods (fridge on air etc)

Then there is a whole kit out to get as well.

If you enjoy the whole research and buying experience then enjoy.
Good luck.

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GCMS2012

02/5/2016 at 7:05pm
Location: Northumberland
Outfit: Knaus Sudwind 550 TK

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IMO, go 'euro'....

More van for your £ we think since buying our Knaus.

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nora

02/5/2016 at 7:24pm
Location: Whitchurch shrops
Outfit: Swift conqueror 480

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My advice would be go to a dealer . I know some people sell very good vans second hand . But you can also buy trouble . At least with a dealer you should have a guarantee to help even if just for a year . Also you would be able to take it back for any troubles to be sorted .
I have been caravanning for almost 30 years . We have had a few vans. Never a problem until the one we have now . All our others have been excellent .
I think one of the best vans many will disagree but I think coachman . Yet I have seen some very nice lunar vans . We are just about to change from our van we have and are buying a swift . This was the very first make van that we had . So hopefully it will be as good .
Yet our favourite was coachman .
Good luck what ever you do or decide.

skipp66

02/5/2016 at 9:19pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: None Entered

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Thank you for the replies so far, Some helpful advice already.
I forgot to mention in my first post that I have a max length of 20ft on my driveway, as I dont really want to have to pay for storage if I can avoid it.

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