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 Topic: Second hand caravan recommendations
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28/8/2017 at 3:24am
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
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We could suggest 50+ caravans. But then the chances of you finding one for sale would be minute.
Unlike cars, caravans are sold in small numbers so finding the exact van would like a needle in a haystack.
Try some local dealers to get a feel for what may suit your needs. If you dont find one at the right price then look for similar vans being sold privately.
Be careful when buying privately though. Always check the Cris registration. Ask the seller lots of questions on how things work. If they dont know walk away.
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28/8/2017 at 9:09am
Location: Bolton
Outfit: Avondale Dart 510 5
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Worth having a look at this Checklist
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28/8/2017 at 9:11am
Location: Wigan
Outfit: VWSharan. Sport 442.
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"I have a 2012 asx 4x4 max gross braked towing weight of 1400 kg".
If that is kerb weight, a recommendation, (not law), is to tow less than 85%, so a caravan of maximum weight, (MTPLM) of 1,190 Kgs.
With that stated, the caravan choice is yours, and yours alone. The main thing is the layout, and only you can decide what is best for you. You will have to trawl through web sites and look at them in the flesh to make a decision.
There isn't much to choose, re quality, between one make, and another, but if you find one, my advice would be to get it professionally damp checked. Money well spent.
Best of luck.
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28/8/2017 at 2:10pm
Location: East Midlands
Outfit: Coachman VIP 575.Santa Fe
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Get a damp meter even if buying from a dealer.
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Mister G
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28/8/2017 at 8:27pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo
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I think very few new vans won't have showers.
You need to know your cars kerb weight as well as the max tow braked trailer weight.
Layouts will be particular to you. Most vans have a compromise somewhere to provide more room somewhere else. Getting the right compromise is what it's all about.
You will find as you sit in a few one or two will just feel more right.
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29/8/2017 at 2:02pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: 2019 VW Arteon + 2002 Avondale Dart
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Firstly Gregg, it always scares me a little bit when people quote the 'maximum gross braked towing weight' in isolation. This is the maximum weight the car can legally tow and in some cases - particularly for cars with more powerful diesel engines - it can be well in excess of the actual weight of the car. The limits are set using trailers, which behave very differently to high-sided caravans and are usually towed for much shorter distances.
Please also check the kerb weight of your car (this should be on the V5 or the VIN plate). Personally I'd be very reluctant to tow a caravan that weighed more than the kerb weight even if it was legal to do so. Put simply, the laws of physics dictate that you're more likely to remain in control if the car is heavier than the trailer (though load distribution can also have a big effect).
Another thing to consider is the engine your car has and the performance it offers. In general and simple terms, a big diesel engine is better suited to coping with the extra weight of a caravan than a small petrol one.
With regard to the caravan, what do you mean when you say 'as high spec as possible'? Particularly if you're not bothered about a shower, which have been pretty much standard fit since the mid 90s as far as I'm aware. Have a think about specifically what features you'd actually like bearing in mind that it may be fairly easy to add them if they're not already there.
If you're looking at spending £4k condition is the key issue. Most of the manufacturers build the caravans on a chassis made by one of two manufacturers (Alko or BPW), copy each others' layouts and also fit the same fridges, heaters, ovens, electrics etc.
We found our preferred layout by visiting the Birmingham NEC show, getting a bit disheartened after seeing some damp-smelling wrecks priced at up to £4.5k on dealer forecourts before finding ours in a private sale for £3k. That was two years and probably 5000 touring miles ago and it still seems to be going strong!
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29/8/2017 at 2:55pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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As others have said, condition and layout are the important things once you have the weight issues sorted. Price is not always much of an indicator. We bought an "oldie" in 2013 because it suited us. Had it until a few weeks ago having had many great trips away with it. It cost us £500 in 2013 and we sold it for more than we bought it for. We now have another "cheapie" which we will be trying out for the first time next week. I have seen many others costing many times what we have paid for our latest, but in no better condition and we haven't liked them as much. It's purely a matter of what suits you.
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Best Regards,
Colin
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31/8/2017 at 2:19pm
Location: West Yorkshire
Outfit: Bessacarr Cameo 625 2011
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Quote: Originally posted by gregg495 on 27/8/2017
I'm looking for The above recommendations.
I have a 2012 asx 4x4 max gross braked towing weight of 1400 kg.
What I need is,,,
£4000 max.
4 berth.
High spec as possible
What would you experts suggest.
Many thanks.
Since you are open to suggestions, try Auto trader caravan section. (Other sites available).
Like the cars, you can use a whole variety of filters to limit price, berths, brand, layout and so on to the things you need.
This saves a whole lot of trawling about or fruitless visits initially, until you can begin to isolate a few preferences.
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