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Topic: Advice newby first caravan

Toon4949

via mobile 30/6/2020 at 7:39pm
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Myself and my husband are looking for our first caravan. Due to passing our driving test after 1997 we have a max laden weight limit 1370kg.
We have a small budget of around £6000 (could go slightly more if needed) we found a baily ranger GT 60 460/2 berth and a swift challenger 480 2008. We also found an ace award 2007 which looked the same as the swift. All in good condition no signs damp.

So my question is what would people recommend, our thinking was the newer the better but guessing the swift was probably better quality in the first place hence why it's the same price! Got ourselves confused what would people recommend?

Paul and Nikki

via mobile 30/6/2020 at 7:50pm
Location: Stoke on Trent
Outfit: Bailey Pegasus Modena 2016

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In my experience, once you sort out the layout that you want, you usually know which one you want when you step inside it.

Good luck

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Colin21

30/6/2020 at 7:54pm
Location: East Herts
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Hardly a small budget. I would think you would have plenty of choice at that level. Newer is not necessarily better. From some of the posts on here I seriously wonder if quality has taken a dive over the years. Our caravan is in generally very good condition, and its 28 years old. Some of the contributors on here have reported having problems with nearly new, or even brand new caravans that ours doesn't have. My view is that condition is what really matters. Whatever you are looking at, give it a very thorough going over. Particularly for signs of damp.

Toon4949

via mobile 30/6/2020 at 8:03pm
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Thanks yes the layout is basically the same in both. Yes we thought we had a good budget too but been to 3 places today and there wasn't much in our budget, guessing alot of people have decided to caravan this year so the more affordable caravans are limited. We're upgrading our tent as finally saved enough!

Paul and Nikki

via mobile 30/6/2020 at 8:15pm
Location: Stoke on Trent
Outfit: Bailey Pegasus Modena 2016

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One thing I will add, when we sold our tent and purchased a caravan last year, we didn’t have much idea how much “extra” stuff you need.

It’s quite eye opening, you can easily spend £500-£1000 on additional items.

Best advice is to get an early indication of what items you get included in the sale price (leisure battery, gas bottle, EHU cable, water pump etc, etc) and then have a look on eBay or gumtree etc for items that you will also need.

Colin21

30/6/2020 at 8:47pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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Quote: Originally posted by Toon4949 on 30/6/2020
Thanks yes the layout is basically the same in both. Yes we thought we had a good budget too but been to 3 places today and there wasn't much in our budget, guessing alot of people have decided to caravan this year so the more affordable caravans are limited. We're upgrading our tent as finally saved enough!

It's probably not a good time to buy, especially as the country has been in lock-down for weeks. The best time to buy a caravan is once the holiday season is well and truly over. Just before Christmas is probably the best time.

navver

30/6/2020 at 9:13pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo

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I've got a feeling Swift have gone bust so maybe Bailey is the best choice.

SamandRose

01/7/2020 at 5:29pm
Location: Midlands
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To the best of my knowledge Swift caravans closed one of their factories and made about 50 staff redundant, but did not go into administration (link to article below).

All modern caravans are basically the same apart from upholstery and cosmetics. They'll be built on a chassis made by one of two manufacturers - Alko or BWB - the fridge will be made by Electrolux and the toilet by Thetford. The electrical system will also be made by a third party manufacturer before being fitted into the caravan.

Age is less important than condition. An older van that has been serviced regularly and only covered a few hundred miles a year could well be a better buy than one bought new and towed half way around the world.

I appreciate that this may seem unhelpful but what it boils down to is: go for the one you like best and get it independently inspected.

Best time to buy is out of season (between about September and March). This time of year is when other people are interested too, and prices inevitably rise.

https://www.business-live.co.uk/manufacturing/swift-caravans-confirms-redundancies........

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"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."

Mick S.

01/7/2020 at 8:20pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 30/6/2020

Quote: Originally posted by Toon4949 on 30/6/2020
Thanks yes the layout is basically the same in both. Yes we thought we had a good budget too but been to 3 places today and there wasn't much in our budget, guessing alot of people have decided to caravan this year so the more affordable caravans are limited. We're upgrading our tent as finally saved enough!

It's probably not a good time to buy, especially as the country has been in lock-down for weeks. The best time to buy a caravan is once the holiday season is well and truly over. Just before Christmas is probably the best time.

Ive bought a motorhome and 4 caravans in the middle of winter each time. The worse the conditions, the better. The dealers are desparate to shift stuff December to Feb. Though this doesn't help an eager OP who justifiably wants to get going now. Trawl local FB or club mag ads, theres always someone packing in - especially after a lay-off. Its how i got mine last Jan.

Toon4949

via mobile 05/7/2020 at 6:49am
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We've been really lucky and managed to purchase a 2010 bailey Pegasus off an elderly gentleman who can no longer go caravanning! Has a full service history and comes with all the extras since he's retiring from caravanning! Loved it as soon as we saw it. Can't wait to get going now been watching all the caravan videos on YouTube with tips, any particular advice you would give for our first trip?

marg6

05/7/2020 at 7:16am
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Quote: Originally posted by Toon4949 on 05/7/2020
We've been really lucky and managed to purchase a 2010 bailey Pegasus off an elderly gentleman who can no longer go caravanning! Has a full service history and comes with all the extras since he's retiring from caravanning! Loved it as soon as we saw it. Can't wait to get going now been watching all the caravan videos on YouTube with tips, any particular advice you would give for our first trip?

which model did you end up getting? and what car are you pulling it with? (exact maker, model year and engine size)

Supatramp

via mobile 05/7/2020 at 8:02am
Location: Ayrshire Scotland
Outfit: Santa Fe CRDi + Swift Conqueror 645

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Swift gone bust? Don't be so ridiculous!!!

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David.

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

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