Anyone have any thoughts about the new Swift Base camp caravan?
We had a good look round one yesterday and quite like it, it's small, but feels roomy and light to tow, just wonder if it would hold its price or not?
I wasn't overwrought with the awning, also wondered if being out the back if it would fit in a standard pitch ok.
We always seem to like the small quirky vans! As former owners of a little Freedom caravan, which we took a over the place x
If you want one ensure it's the caravan you want for 10ys or more. Very limited market in UK for a caravan of this type so used value will be poor because it will be difficult to sell. If you don't like it & want to trade in for more conventional caravan after a couple of yrs expect trade in offer to be derisory.
Once these quirky little caravans get much older, say 20yrs they do seem to fetch better prices than 20yr old 'normal' caravans though so not all bad news.
It seems overpriced to start with & if you check websites of continental makes you might notice some list this sort of caravan but do not sell it onto UK market. Good example is Adria Action. Sold in UK for a couple of yrs but obviously limited demand in UK as model is still sold into other markets.
Another alternative would be TAB made by Tabbert. If they are sold in UK I bet they are overpriced compared with price in, say Germany.
Any of these niche market caravans are absolutely fine if it's what you want but you need to be sure you will be happy with it for many yrs to get your money's worth.
I fell in love with one a few months ago. It was stunning. We were parked in a car park at the start of the 3 peaks cyclocross race. We have a vw t4. If someone made that type of thing as a camper van then I would buy it immediately.
These sort of small caravans are ideal for use in southern Europe in summer when you just want a bedroom. If you buy a new one though you don't seem to get much for your money so no good if you are concerned about value in a couple of yrs time. It needs to be a keeper if you don't want to lose £1000s.
The alternative is to buy something similar but much older. It will do the same job for much cheaper & when you sell it you should get your money back.
Yes these were my thoughts too, I did wonder about holding its value, also thought it was pricey, over 15k, more expensive than some other new 2 berths.
Trouble is we can tow a small, light weight van like this with our car, if we buy a heavier van, means swapping the car too, which is expensive!
Oh and I absolutely loved the Adria Action caravan, but we couldn't have one back then with kids in tow. Wish they still made them in U.K. I still love them!
The Base camp is nice as it feels so roomy inside, where as a lot of the smaller vans try to cram in lots of cupboards.
Maybe I should wait for some second hand ones to save money, I don't like the awning, maybe as time goes on they will alter it x
I thought I was 20 yrs too young for it. The concept is good. A caravan mostly just to sleep & cook in down in southern Europe in summer. I achieve the same result with my £1000 ebay bargain. I'll save the other £14k for my very old age & look forward to paying a grand for one of these things in 2037.
It looks good, basic but has it all.I think it's an adventure van and will appeal to all ages. Perhaps not an all weather van due to its size, but for a weekend very nice
First I would not expect any new caravan to hold its value, they will all depreciate, but not all as fast as others.
This van is certainly a niche market van but it is quite wrong to imply that being so and having a limited market leads to heavier depreciation than run of the mill popular vans. Take the Gobur, Eriba and T&B, all very much limited appeal ie niche vans but all holding way better residual values that money spent on more popular vans; I had one so know how good it was and it remained in the family till finally sold at about half its original value in its teen age.
Whether, Swift have given this one that quirkiness to fit in with that trio I am in no position to judge; its worrying that it has basically the construction technology of its stable mates so thing don't look to me so assured.
There is clearly a level of appeal in the positive comments it gets from those with open minds; if physically it offers durability I would expect it to keep its appeal as it ages, so not being one of the heavy depreciators. If it suffers from poor build then it will lose more.
Life is IMO too short to worry unduly about these things on financial grounds alone, if ownership lifts your spirit go for it and enjoy that pleasure. You might lose a % more than others you might not but I doubt the difference are life changing, the ownership could be life enhancing, ours was.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Swift Base camp
