Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Caravans and Caravanning
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Newbie Caravan Choice Advice Post Reply Post New Topic
28/9/2017 at 9:40pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View Joniphoo's Profile View Profile   Reply to Joniphoo Reply   Quote Joniphoo Quote  
Joined: 28/9/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hello and thanks for helping.

We are a family of 4 (2 teenagers) and two labs. We are new to caravaning and stuck as to which model to go for.

Our preferred layout is fixed bed, side dinette, kids will sleep in lounge, and would prefer a large fridge/freezer, and we are looking to travel to France & Spain.

Must be able to be towed by 2017 Kia Sportage, think max towing weight is 1500kg.

Can anyone help with suitable models?

Thx Jon, Liz, Henry, Alice, Sandy & Beth


28/9/2017 at 11:26pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

What model Sportage? Most have a max weight of 1400kg and do not weigh 1500kg.

The 1.6GDI weighs approx 1450kg with a 1400kg max tow.

The recommended tow weight for that for a caravan with a gross laden weight around 1235kg.

Watch sellers that say yeah your cars fine or those that give the unladen or MIRO weights not the gross weights.

Is it a brand new van your looking at?


Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

29/9/2017 at 10:52am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View Joniphoo's Profile View Profile   Reply to Joniphoo Reply   Quote Joniphoo Quote  
Joined: 28/9/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

It's a 2017 1.7 diesel grdi / I just used a car/caravan towing site? Budget is max £15k ,

Thx again


29/9/2017 at 12:14pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View Joniphoo's Profile View Profile   Reply to Joniphoo Reply   Quote Joniphoo Quote  
Joined: 28/9/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Just rechecked and 85% is running at 1266kg


29/9/2017 at 3:40pm
 Location: South Wales
 Outfit: Bailey Pegasus
View Martin Gover's Profile View Profile   Reply to Martin Gover Reply   Quote Martin Gover Quote  
Joined: 21/9/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   18

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

There is in my view only ONE caravan to go for, given you have a similar combination of people to me, though my boys are younger: You state: "Our preferred layout is fixed bed, side dinette, kids will sleep in lounge." Not ideal as you need a lounge area / kitchen for late night use - TV etc (tend to use headphones though) to avoid disturbing children. So here is what we did, and I knew which model to go for within a month of looking on line. I bought a 2nd hand Bailey Pegasus 546 (MTPLM 1497 kg) with rear triple bunk bedroom for the boys. Youngest sleeps in bottom bunk (in case he rolls out and falls), older one in top bunk, leaving middle bunk for storage, clothes, books, toys. Dining table in rear can be used for meals but mainly used as boys study room and play table for drawing. They have their own TV in the back room, and after their bed time, the dividing door is shut and curtained across (we added a separate temperature controlled panel heater to the rear room as Bailey heating of rear room is inefficient) and we have the main part of the caravan for our own use. We made the front area into a permanent king size bed, which we use as a lounge by day (bed is made up, we place cushions against wall for seats, sitting facing front window which fits a 42 inch TV, strapped in place permanently when travelling. Large 2nd hand awning came with caravan provides additional / main dining space, in which we have camping cupboards, camping wardrobes, 2 tables and two dog beds (for our Golden Retriever and an Alsation), chairs, table lamps, a 2nd fridge etc, all very comfy. If caravanning in winter, we move younger boy to middle bunk and sleep both dogs on bottom bunk at night, though we recently bought two heated dog beds so dogs can sleep on their awning beds even on cool nights. Bad news is Bailey have stopped making the Pegasus with separate rear room, so you have to get a 2nd hand one - they go for about £10,000 to £11,000. Bathroom is above offside wheel arch so the space here is useful for - but we take two cars and a trailer for our extra luggage when we are away for a long time; we do not travel light! Heavier items then go in the 2 cars and trailer to keep weight down in caravan.

-------------
Martin Gover


Advertisement



29/9/2017 at 5:47pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View Joniphoo's Profile View Profile   Reply to Joniphoo Reply   Quote Joniphoo Quote  
Joined: 28/9/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Thanks for the response, unfortunately bunks are out of question as kids too long, think I'll have to review layout for a lighter van i.e double dinette


29/9/2017 at 7:53pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo
View navver's Profile View Profile   Reply to navver Reply   Quote navver Quote  
Joined: 23/8/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4664

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Surely if they are teens they will go to bed at the same time as you so a fixed bed may be fine. Only problem will be getting them up in the morning.

Our teen son didn't move before noon so we put him in a pup tent where he was perfectly happy. Soon after he didn't bother coming away any more.


29/9/2017 at 8:27pm
 Location: Chiltern Hills
 Outfit: Bailey Senator Wyoming
View acampingwewillgo's Profile View Profile   Reply to acampingwewillgo Reply   Quote acampingwewillgo Quote  
Joined: 16/6/2012

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   151
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 8
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I'd personally look for a van that will still tick all the boxes once the kids no longer join you!! If you get an awning try and get one with an annexe option, we've gone from 2 teenagers to just 1 now but sometimes up to 3 if our daughter decides to join us with her boyfriend and they sleep in the annexe. Our son is 15 now so we know his holidays with us are coming to an end. He used to sleep on the front sofas made up as a double but now he sleeps in the fixed bed and me and hubby sleep on the front sofas that way he can stay asleep and we can get up early without bothering him!!!


29/9/2017 at 9:16pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View Joniphoo's Profile View Profile   Reply to Joniphoo Reply   Quote Joniphoo Quote  
Joined: 28/9/2017

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   5

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Thx I think we'll definitely look at an awning to give greater flexibility , will probably be down to one after one season anyway


01/10/2017 at 8:56pm
 Location: Tidbury Green
 Outfit: Swift Fairway SE 442
View Tidburyboy's Profile View Profile   Reply to Tidburyboy Reply   Quote Tidburyboy Quote  
Joined: 03/9/2009

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1443
Tent Reviews:   2

Site Reviews Total: 17
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 7
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 15
Site Nights 2018: 2

I'd be inclined towards a double dinette. Front end set up as two singles and the rear a double bed. Kids up front you and wife use the rear double. When one of the kids drop out, you can swap around. When both opt out, you can leave the rear bed made up, closed off and use the rest of the van during the day.

Dogs go in the awning, or in with you when the kids flit.

Something like this one>

http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/touring-caravans-for-sale/layouts-caravans/elddis-m........


Advertisement



01/10/2017 at 9:50pm
 Location: Bolton
 Outfit: Sprite Major 6 TD 2017
View Chunkwana's Profile View Profile   Reply to Chunkwana Reply   Quote Chunkwana Quote  
Joined: 01/4/2010

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   30

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Max trailer load braked for manual is 1400 kg and 1600 kg for the auto. 85% of the Max gross kerb weight is 1393 KG so this is your max.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














6139 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder