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Hi, Andy, and welcome.

We bought second hand recently but from a dealer.  That way you get it serviced before you buy it and you get a warranty of some sort - I think ours is 6 months, which covers the whole of the summer when we're using it most.  Plus they went through it all with us when we collected it and explained how everything worked and they're only down the road if we're not sure of anything. 

You would get a better/larger van for your money second hand.  We got a 1996 model, it's immaculate and looks as if it's hardly been used.

Looking at the caravan mags, there's not much new around for up to £10,000 and would almost certainly be 2 berth although Bailey do a 4 berth but it's very cramped.

I'm sure you'll get loads of different opinions on here - this is just mine!

Hope you get what you want, though - you'll have loads of fun looking!!

Nora

The only advice I can give is to do a tour of your local dealers.  You will get some good deals on new vans towards the end of the season. Second hand vans in dealerships can also be good value at this time of year...or a little later. We got a six month old van in Sept last year £3000 of new list price. Older vans or OK from dealers as you would get a warrenty, damp is the only really big problem but in your price range ther will be plenty of good vans available. We travelled from Essex to Somerset to get our van so take a good look around before you buy. Goog hunting.

Pete

If your new to caravanning, then maybe second hand would be better in case you don't like it. (can't imagine why you wouldn't but some very odd people don't)

Caravans are a bit like cars and as you can see from the post above, lose a big chunk of their value when you leave the forecourt. If you by from a dealer, as said above, even a second hand van will have been serviced and should have some warrenty. Also if you need things like a mover or extra plug sockets, they will fit these before you pick it up and usually at a good price.

I agree buy cheap and make sure you enjoy it then upgrade if you wish to.

Robin

If you have never had a caravan before then definately buy 2nd hand first time around.  Any mistakes from the layout that doesn't work for you after all to fatal mistakes like accidently unwinding jockey wheel so much that caravan smashes on floor wont seem as bad as buying new and losing loads of money the second it is driven off the forecourt.   I agree with buy the starter level and work your way up caravanning is not for everyone.

Paula

I am also new to the caravanning scene, however I have spoke to many people who advised that buying new is not always the safest option. I have heard people have spent mor time taking their new van back to the factory to get things fixed, rather than touring. Also others have stated they are in court proceedings with manufacturers over faults which haven't been rectified.

I would say get a better second hand van for your money, which you know can stand the test of time.

We have bought secondhand because OH has never caravanned before and I didn't want to lose thousands if he hated it.  He loves it, typical huh!  We will upgrade to probably a Bailey in due course but I reckon it is worth buying a cheaper van and see how you go first.

A lot of people seem to change because they don't like the layout.  We love the layour of ours and are pretty sure we will be buying a double dinette model when we change because of the versatility of it.  Fixed beds are all the rage but you can't use them for seating or dining.

We have lots of kitchen space, and whilst it isn't a luxury all singing all dancing van it will do us for now until we can afford to buy what we want (I changed my car rather than change the van this week).  Now may be a good time to buy as people give up at the end of the season and sell lock, stock and barrel.

things to look for are dreaded damp, buy a damp meter and check it out.  Penetrate walls not just place it against them to get a true reading.  Also use your nose to smell damp and your eyes to see the telltale black spores sometimes evident.

Open every cupboard, prod walls looking for spongy sections, especially under windows and where the awning rail lies.  Bathrooms are hotbeds of damp so feel all the walls and check for signs of the shower tray coming away and potential leak sites.

Have fun.

Ali

worth reading........ 

	Buying Secondhand