|
 Topic: Looking for first van, advise and help pl
|
  |
12/5/2019 at 11:38pm
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Motorhome
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 17/10/2007 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 3384
| Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 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 Nights 2025: | 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 |
|
Welcome to the forum
Due to the construction methods used to build caravans it is not that simple to alter layouts without compromising the structural strength of the caravan. It would be easier, safer and cheaper to get the right layout.
You mentioned storage in a garage. Most garage doors are too low and narrow to get a caravan inside so you need to check the garage dimensions before you go much further with your plans.
The other thing to consider is what can your car tow and what will your licence allow you to tow, this may restrict you even more.
Sorry if I've given you more to think about but it's better to think about these things now before you spend your money.
Rob
|
| Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off! |
|
|
|
13/5/2019 at 7:46am
Location: Dartford Kent
Outfit: VW+T6+conversion
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 06/5/2008 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 991
| Site Reviews Total: | 48 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 7 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 2 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 1 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 21 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 2 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 12 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 14 |
|
We are also constrained by the 5.7m limit; a 2 birth was OK to find, though we may just have been lucky. When we took our kids we had Pennine Fiesta folding camper, which was great, and didn’t require a raised garage!
A little online browsing - we’re grandparents now, so need to think about these things - has turned up a couple of European vans. Adria do one, as do Sterkeman and Caravelair. The problem may be finding one within your price range.
Good luck with your search (and welcome to the forum too!)
|
13/5/2019 at 7:39pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 23/8/2008 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 4692
| Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 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 Nights 2025: | 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 |
|
This is one option for the garage. This one will sleep 3. You could have an awning for the toilet.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOLDING-CARAVAN-GOBUR-CAROUSEL-4-5-BERTH-FULL-AWNING-EX........
The other option is a Freedom Sunseeker. If you get an older one without all the bells and whistles they do a very good 4 berth. Only 10 foot long with a centre kitchen and wardrobe with double dinette/bed at front and single dinette at rear with canvas bunk over.
|
15/5/2019 at 8:08pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 23/8/2008 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 4692
| Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 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 Nights 2025: | 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 |
|
This is the freedom sunseeker I mentioned. They've been doing this layout for years so plenty about at almost any price. Comfortably in your length requirement but no internal toilet. There is a limit to what you can actually get in a small space.
https://freedomcaravans.com/caravan-sales/new-caravans/freedom-sunseeker/
|
15/5/2019 at 9:54pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 05/11/2013 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 6379
| Site Reviews Total: | 18 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 2 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 2 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 2 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 7 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 8 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 12 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 18 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 21 |
|
My last caravan was an Elddis Tornado XL. This was a 4 berth, had a toilet and shower, hot and cold water, and was within the length restriction. It was old though, 1988.
-------------
Best Regards,
Colin
|
16/5/2019 at 3:30pm
Location: flint north wales
Outfit: swift challenger 480se 2002
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 15/5/2011 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 1615
| Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 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 Nights 2025: | 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 |
|
Quote: Originally posted by Chilly29 on 15/5/2019
Thanks for all the replys giving me loads to think about . I was quite keen on the idea of getting a 2 berth with end wash room like I mentioned in the first post until it was mentioned about losing the structural integrity ,my plan was to remove the shower and toilet and building some fixed bunks in the wash room , would I really be at great risk of doing damage to the van by doing this ?
yes it will make it unsafe structurally but also unbalanced .. for towing .. if to much weight is added to the rear end the tail starts to wag the dog . so re think your plans
|
|
via mobile 12/5/2019 at 11:16pm
[/IMG]
