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 Topic: New caravan purchase
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07/6/2023 at 7:17am
Location: Essex
Outfit: Lunar Delta TS 2017
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Joined: 20/8/2004 Diamond Member 
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I think layout is a big part of it too, after all the checks mentioned above.
I know when you buy secondhand sometimes you do have to compromise on some things you may want, just like when buying a car, as you can’t find all you wanted at the time. Don’t rush into anything.
We looked a swift Sterling at a dealer, it had the new mid bathroom and the island bed at the Rear. There was another couple looking too, and I think we rushed into it, and if they hadn’t been there maybe would have walked away and thought about it more. Well, after going away in it a couple of times, we just found it so claustrophobic. There was hardly any room at the side of the bed, you sort of had to side step through the bathroom. The biggest bug bear was, that I had to have the door shut on the bathroom as I didn’t like seeing the sink, so made the living room/kitchen end very dark and small. We now have a lunar delta TS, with twin singles and the room in it is unbelievable. The storage is vast, the bathroom, especially shower cubicle isn’t much different from our small bathroom at home. We don’t use the shower in the van, so size has not really bothered us before, but the storage alone in the bathroom is great. I was a bit worried buying it as Lunar has now gone, but we have had a couple of holidays in this van and the difference in the light and space makes us feel so much happier.
Happy looking, and enjoy your new van.
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Claire and Colin
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07/6/2023 at 3:29pm
Location: London
Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
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Very good points already highlighted above.
In addition to clbewi's comments about layout, when I was looking for my first van, what swayed my opinion for or against certain features and layouts was actually visiting lots of vans at dealers forecourts and shows, then rather than just looking, actually move around the van as if you were living in it, go in the toilet, try sitting on the seat, see if it's so tiny you headbutt the sink as you sit etc., or the bog roll holder is out of reach, try the shower and stick your arms up and out a little to see if you crack your elbows etc. Likewise stand at the cooker and sink, see if the overhead cabinets give decent clearance to work there etc. Stretch out on the seats/bed, are they actually comfortable and do they fit you! It really changed my mind dramatically on some things I thought would be OK before 'trying', the van I ended up with (and been VERY happy with for past 5 years) was very different to what I started looking at and seriously considering.
After you've walked around and simulated 'living' in the van, the edges that you banged into with hips, heads and elbows, the things that were not well placed for easy reach etc. will likely drive you nuts in everyday use when you own it, look for a better suited layout!
You will likely fail miserably in finding a van that you're totally happy with if you only select from specifications and brochure/sales pictures!
Can't comment on your car's towing capacity, that is typically VERY specific to your particular trim level (which you haven't mentioned!) , engine power, gear box etc. V5 document should have max tow weight stated, also often found on or derived from the VIN plate data on the car. What I can say is my Citroen C4 Grand Picasso shares the same engine in the 130hp version (albeit with 6 speed manual gearbox), and it's a brilliant little engine, very willing, very economic, and I drag a heavier (1310Kg MTPLM) van than you are likely to be able to tow.
Sub 1200Kg MTPLM caravans are a little harder to find than heavier ones, older vans are often lighter than newer ones, you might have to compromise a little to find suitably lightweight ones.
Don't obsess over the 85% van-car weight ratio, it's fairly good guidance for novices, but it's a flexible figure, and at the end of the day some outfits are a brilliant tow at 100% match (mine's great at 95% - BUT beware any car insurance limitations, some restrict the ratio they will cover!), whilst others are dogs at almost any ratio, there is an element of chance in how well a car and van will go together.
Absolutes to avoid, damp and faulty appliances, the cost to fix is sky high! Damp is nearly always far worse that the surface signs might suggest, and repairing/replacing caravan appliances is criminally expensive - think 3 or 4 times the cost of an equivalent domestic item! If seller not going to fix (with damned good PROOF!) at their expense, walk away!
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via mobile 06/6/2023 at 11:16pm
