After lots of debate I thought I would ask the experts, that's you lot out there.
We that's Mrs BB and I are off to the NEC in October to "look at caravans" the brief is, two berth big comfy bed, not fixed, big shower, as I am 6'2" we will be only on CL site may be no power so good sola panel, good kitchen oven etc, it will be a new van, no weight problems as I have a Landrover, budget up to 23 K
We went for a new Swift Basecamp which suited us as we didn't want a "traditional" caravan.
What we did find helped us with the decision though was to go to a big dealership with loads of secondhand different types of vans. You can't beat having a good nose around all the different types & it helps you decide what you do and don't want. It amazed us all the different configurations and specs. That way when you go to the show you should have narrowed down your search a bit.
Even if you go new in the end at least you will have a good idea what your getting. We went to Highbridge in Somerset which must have had at least 30 two birth vans of varying specs with loads of bigger ones as well.