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Topic: Caravan Newbie questions & recommendation

Stubb-z

13/8/2017 at 8:41am
Location: North Wales
Outfit: Vango Tigris 800XL

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Hi - long story short, we are a family of avid campers, who have decided to put away the tent and get a caravan instead. (Pitching and packing up in the torrential rain and mud this holiday, has just about clenched the deal!) So I have a few general questions - please bear with me.
1) When camping, you always get a tent "one bigger" than you need - ie, if 4 of you camp, you get a 5 man tent for comfort - is this the same for a caravan? Ie 5 of us going so need a six berth caravan ideally??
2) We are a family of 5 - Me and the misses and kids aged 9,6 and 2 - any recommendations on size/ make of caravan to look out for? Or any to avoid?
3) Is there a best time to buy? Im looking to buy a cheap fixer upper to repair / fix up over the winter.
4) And this one is because I have my "tent head on" - if you have a side awning attached - what stops the wind blowing straight under the caravan into the awning? Or doesnt it matter?
Thanks all for your help- more questions to follow im sure!
Ben.......

Supatramp

13/8/2017 at 9:07am
Location: Ayrshire Scotland
Outfit: Santa Fe CRDi + Swift Conqueror 645

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1. Only go for more berths than you need if you need extra storage, otherwise, no. Having said that, our caravans have always been more berths than we needed as it's only ever been 3 of us.

2. Go to a dealers and have a look around, see what layout will work for YOU. There are good and bad examples of all makes of caravans.

3. Maybe buy end of season.

4. Awnings come with a skirt which is afixed to the bottom of the caravan and pegged down at either end.

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David.

I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure!

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Octavia4x4

13/8/2017 at 6:46pm
Location: Harrogate Yorkshire.
Outfit: Skoda Octavia 4x4 & Compass Omega 482

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You first need to consider your car; weight, size of engine, etc., also driving license category, B or B+E. If you have a B licence then the GVW of the car and MTPLM of caravan added together must not be over 3,500kg, with a B+E you will be OK.
We have found October is a god time to buy, dealers are getting ready for the next years caravans so lots of deals, dealers need to clear stock held. In October 2015 we purchased a brand new 2014 model with a good discount and good PX on a 9.5 year old caravan.

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Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0TDi 4x4 (2012) towing a Compass Omega 482 (2014)

Tidburyboy

13/8/2017 at 9:54pm
Location: Tidbury Green
Outfit: Swift Fairway SE 442

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If you're going for a cheap fixer upper, then anytime of year should be OK. My guess is a private sale might be your best bet.

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