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Subject Topic: Caravan layouts
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via mobile 24/2/2021 at 6:17am
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Hi there. I want to buy my first caravan but it’s hard to know which models to look that.
I want a big fridge and freezer
To fit enough food for a week.
Two single fixed beds but a four berth caravan
A good heating system - I’m thinking wet.
What should I look at?
Thanks in advance


24/2/2021 at 6:32am
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Have you looked on Caravan Finder?

-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.


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24/2/2021 at 7:14am
 Location: Luton (no jokes plea
 Outfit: Coachman and Hyundai
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Welcome! A big fridge freezer normally means a twin axle caravan, these are heavy. Do you have a car heavy enough to pull one? If you do, you can't go wrong with a Swift. I don't know which one though. We had a twin axle Sterling which is part of the Swift group, towed with a Mitsubishi Shogun.


via mobile 24/2/2021 at 7:34am
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Thanks for your reply.
The towing vehicle is a VW T5. I think this should do the job?
I will browse the swift’s. Thanks again


24/2/2021 at 7:39am
 Location: Staffordshire
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Just asking why you need to take food for a week? Could you not stock up whilst away?

Taking a lot of food will eat into your payload.

You could look at models with a seperate fridge freezer, something like a swift conqueror or elegance with Alde heating or coachman 665 if you want singles or lunar alaria. When things are open best bet to go and have a look in some for a look in the flesh. The higher spec models will have Alde heating.https://www.caravanfinder.co.uk here will show layouts and photos to go on with. Good luck in your search.


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via mobile 24/2/2021 at 8:44am
 Location: Royal Forest of Dean
 Outfit:  Swift Major 4SB
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Before you go too far you need to check what your vehicle and licence will allow you to tow.
Check the handbook and V5 to check the kerbweight and towing limit of the VW and ideally aim for a max caravan laden weight (MTPLM) of 85% of kerbweight.
This sort of outfit will need a B+E licence as it will be over 3500kg so check your licence especially if you use a twin axle caravan.
If the T5 is a van you need to be aware that some sites are not keen on accepting "commercial vehicles".

Rob


via mobile 24/2/2021 at 8:56am
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Thanks. Will check this.
I have done a tow check on my vehicle and husband can drive. I can’t.
T5 is not a commercial van style. It’s actually converted into a camper.


24/2/2021 at 1:07pm
 Location: Midlands
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It's not only the weight of your VW camper that you need to look at. The Transporter van on which it is based came with a big range of engines, but the lower-powered ones (85 and 100bhp I think) are nowhere near powerful enough to manage the weight of a heavy caravan in addition to the van itself.

There are companies out there that either re-map or add performance chips to the engines to give more power, which may be something you could look at. I don't have any experience of it though.

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


via mobile 24/2/2021 at 2:03pm
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Thanks. Pretty sure it has been remapped but I will check.


via mobile 24/2/2021 at 7:40pm
 Location: Staffs Cheshire bord
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If your camper has cooking facilities you need to be aware that some sites, including Caravan and Motorhome Club do not allow 2 vehicles with bottled gas on the same pitch. It's a health and safety issue.

-------------
Jean

Sometimes a little rain must fall before you reach a rainbow.

The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you finish the work.


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via mobile 24/2/2021 at 7:54pm
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I hadn’t realised that. I had thought they may want to charge us more for a campervan. I suppose we could leave our gas bottle at home when we use the caravan. Thank you


24/2/2021 at 8:01pm
 Location: Devizes Wiltshire
 Outfit: MWB VW Crafter PVC
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When researching for my own van, I came across this website and guide that I found very useful:

https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/articles/practical-advice/types-of-ca........

The one I eventually settled for which is an end kitchen is not on that list, however, I managed to find a page for this type of layout on their site:

https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/buyers-guide-advice/motorhomes/detail........

I would advise having a list of your needs and wants to start with, and then read up on the pros and cons for each layout, and go from there.

Personally, I do not like to have a kitchen in the middle of a van, and to further minimise the risk of the van smelling like a takeaway, I am having a door between the living area and the kitchen/bathroom, with back doors that can open when I am cooking.

Hence I have gone down the custom conversion route, as I could not find a medium size van with the layout that suits my wants and needs.

DK

-------------
* Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest And Play! *
- 2025 - inc. FR & DE
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via mobile 24/2/2021 at 8:45pm
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Thanks I will take a look.


24/2/2021 at 11:30pm
 Location: south yorkshire
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Quote: Originally posted by Rainbowsend on 24/2/2021
If your camper has cooking facilities you need to be aware that some sites, including Caravan and Motorhome Club do not allow 2 vehicles with bottled gas on the same pitch. It's a health and safety issue.


never heard of that one, not that i use two vehicles with gas installed.
but can't find any refferance to that in the sites book?
just curious.
stu



-------------
I predict a riot !!


25/2/2021 at 9:16am
 Location: Lancashire
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We have a Swift Conqueror 565, single axle.Never want to change it as it has all we need including Alde heating.It only has a normal size fridge though which may not suit you. We could easily pack enough food for a week though, not all in the fridge.


25/2/2021 at 2:23pm
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Quote: Originally posted by G#Winger on 24/2/2021
Quote: Originally posted by Rainbowsend on 24/2/2021
If your camper has cooking facilities you need to be aware that some sites, including Caravan and Motorhome Club do not allow 2 vehicles with bottled gas on the same pitch. It's a health and safety issue.


never heard of that one, not that i use two vehicles with gas installed.
but can't find any refferance to that in the sites book?
just curious.
stu






Just did online chat with CAMC regarding this, you can have the camper on the same pitch with gas bottle, but can only use one.

-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.



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