So, having been sat in a trailer tent in the pouring rain for the past week I have been looking at going over to the darkside and getting a caravan. Not owned one since about 1992 and they've changed and bit since the old one we had then. I don't really want to change my car and need something I can manage on my own as do a lot of camping just me and the dog, so looking for something no more than 1200kg.
I have seen the Elddis xplore 304 and like the layout as would be able to leave the bed made up and still have somewhere to sit with the side dinette. Seems reasonably priced with all the kit I would need, don't need all the bells and whistles. Is there anything else with a similar layout I should be looking at? The 4 berth Swift Basecamp is a bit gimmicky for me, can't see anything else that fits in my weight or price range.
Billy on here has the Caravelair Alba 400, to get one you have to make a trip to Holland, but they do look better than anything available in the U.K. for the price, just 1000kg.
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Yep Kate, Marquis Caravans used to have good range of Caravelair caravans, and I visited the Preston branch on a number of occasions, Marquis brought in U.K. versions with the door on the U.K. side etc.
I think Marquis have all but dropped the brand now, as they seem only to list two models.
If you do want to buy an Alba 400 then Decuyper at Poperinge just over Belgium border 50 miles from Calais is place to go. They speak English. Check their website.
Yes it was easy up to last yr. you just went over & ordered it. Payed deposit by card & paid by bank transfer when it arrived at dealer then went over & collected it. We just took all the gear in car. Collected caravans& went to a campsite 2 miles away for a couple of days to sort everything out then carried on on hol in France for next 3 months.
Happy enough with it. No faults & back in France with it this yr. Buying in Europe now more complicated I think. You buy including local vat then you have to do customs stuff including paying UK vat then you can claim back the Belgian vat.
Yep Billy, you could not have bought at a better time, maybe in a few years time when all this Brexit stuff has settled down, things might get a little better.
With the luck or lack of it that I have been having lately, I seriously doubt that I will ever be buying a caravan, but if my luck changes I would do it the way you have and make that trip over to Belgium, and then store the caravan in France.
We are moving from a Pathfinder to a smallish caravan. And have looked at the caravelair they look reasonable for the money The downer is the door being on the wrong side does is not what we want. The Elddis Xplore 304 is about the most suitable option we have found so far and for us has a lot going for it, We are waiting to see what the 2022 models look like, before ordering one.
Quote: Originally posted by dimbles on 12/7/2021
We are moving from a Pathfinder to a smallish caravan. And have looked at the caravelair they look reasonable for the money The downer is the door being on the wrong side does is not what we want. The Elddis Xplore 304 is about the most suitable option we have found so far and for us has a lot going for it, We are waiting to see what the 2022 models look like, before ordering one.
Small correction to the above we have now decided on a Swift Alpine 4. That seems to offer far better value for money. Has a fixed bed. And it will fit on our driveway.
Quote: Originally posted by Francais on 12/7/2021
With the luck or lack of it that I have been having lately, I seriously doubt that I will ever be buying a caravan, but if my luck changes I would do it the way you have and make that trip over to Belgium, and then store the caravan in France.
I notice you've not posted since 12th July, Francais. Here's hoping everything is okay with you.