Having been tent campers (and I still am to an extent) then Folding Camper owners, we have been looking for a 'van for a while now, trying to find the layout we wanted, at the price we wanted and local enough to go for a look at etc.
Well this week it all came together and we liked what we saw. Ok so it needs a jolly good clean, and in places a cosmetic tidy up but it's nothing a couple of weekends work won't put right
We shall be picking it up next Saturday, so have no photos to post today. We are so looking forward to getting it home and discovering more
------------- Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional
Well done, that's how we started, tent, trailer tent, pre-owned caravan, then purchased new. Remember a caravan is not only for summer, winter is also good to get out.
Check the tyres, make sure they are not over 5 years old.
Seriously though, enjoy your "new" caravan! We too started with a frame tent back in the early 70s, then went through 2 caravans, 2 boats, and now back to a caravan. Got a bit fed up with either going up river, or down river.
I did a similar route, 30 odd years in a tent,Nova trailer tent, Resurrected ancient Perle argos caravan, a little bit more modern ABI Award Transtar, even more modern Lunar lexon EB and finally a brand new Bailey Orion 430/4
Another convert from tents to caravans here, still quite new to it, got our van in July last year and wish we had done it years ago It does seem a bit daunting a first but it gets easier as you become more used to you're new pitching routines. It's just wonderful I wish I could live in my caravan
Look forward to hearing about you're adventures and seeing the pics!
Have you named her yet? We called ours Vera, she's an old classy girl !
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 13/5/2017
Oi, eel28, you've nicked my slogan!
Seriously though, enjoy your "new" caravan! We too started with a frame tent back in the early 70s, then went through 2 caravans, 2 boats, and now back to a caravan. Got a bit fed up with either going up river, or down river.
Great minds think alike eh?
As for boats, always fancied a narrow boat when I was younger. Since moving away from my home town where the Grand Union Canal runs through, I've only got see a pic of one and feel a little homesick!
But yes, we will enjoy our van
------------- Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional
Quote: Originally posted by Octavia4x4 on 13/5/2017
Well done, that's how we started, tent, trailer tent, pre-owned caravan, then purchased new. Remember a caravan is not only for summer, winter is also good to get out.
Check the tyres, make sure they are not over 5 years old.
Hmmm winter, sounds good. We've been out in October half term, and over new year in tents and folding campers, so hopefully a caravan will only extend the season to maybe February half term, where the damp has put us off before
------------- Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional
Quote: Originally posted by legenetay on 13/5/2017
Congratulation. Enjoy your new van. We will never forget the pleasure and excitement of picking up our first new to us caravan.
Looking forward to getting it home, when we'll give it a good clean and a proper inspection - hoping to get away at the end of half term for the first time
------------- Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional
Quote: Originally posted by ldpdmp on 13/5/2017
good for you 37 years ago we started this lark , and so we'll continue
Myself and my (now) wife, first went camping 12 years ago, in a three man dome tent. We've acquired a lot of knowledge since then, oh and a lot of equipment too! Hopefully we'll own this caravan for a long time to come yet
------------- Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional
Quote: Originally posted by Andy Higham on 13/5/2017
I did a similar route, 30 odd years in a tent,Nova trailer tent, Resurrected ancient Perle argos caravan, a little bit more modern ABI Award Transtar, even more modern Lunar lexon EB and finally a brand new Bailey Orion 430/4
Not even looked at new vans, as we know we couldn't afford one. Plus we love the idea of brightening up an older one, we weren't to bothered about makes and models more in the layout
------------- Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional
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: New (to us) caravan
It does seem a bit daunting a first but it gets easier as you become more used to you're new pitching routines. It's just wonderful I wish I could live in my caravan 
