I would say that it depends on how well you all get on!
I think you need to make a long list of what your priorities are.
The most important factor for us was the sleeping arrangements. Sitting inside was less important because we are mainly only continental caravanners & use an awning.
Next for us was a decent sized fridge. And we BBQ a lot.
So as long as we were all able to sleep soundly after a cold beer & some French sausages, we could make do with anything else. But SWMBO has expensive taste so we went for a Bailey Unicorn.
Check out the Sterckeman Range
They are lightweight for their size.
You'll get them cheaper on the continent than in the UK.
They have the entrance door on the 'continental side'
We love ours ... about half the price of a comparable Bailey!
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
We bought out first caravan in August last year and went for one with a fixed double bed
We have two girls aged 10 and 13, our first trip with the girls was last weekend and it worked really well for us, we had the double bed and the girls slept on the front settes as singles
it was 1295kg maximum so coulod be towed by a regular familly car like a mondeo. i towed it with a jeep but already had the jeep.
i bought the ranger in 2014 and it cost me £6500 from a dealer with an awning, water container, hook up lead, and waste master. i traded it in last year for 5k. but the dealer i sold it to was asking 7k for it the next week.
However, i am sure you could get another 550/6 for 5k private or even from a trader.
i changed my caravan last year, when i decided my family does like caravanning and looked a round a lot and saw 2010 adrias for under 10k. the explaination was that the caravans with basic features, wet room style washrooms are much cheaper than those with more features and separate showers etc..
i think you could get a caravan such as the ranger, that your A6 would easily tow for £5k.
the ranger was basic, it had a combined toilet and shower and not so many windows but it had a full size oven and hob (the other lower spec vans didnt), it had a decent sized 3 way fridge, a gas/electric water heater, a blow air heating with several ducts.
the 550/6 had fixed bunks at the rear for the children. an make up double at the front for us and a dinette that could make an additional 2 bunks if required. you likely wouldn't need to use thebunks but the dinette is great because it gives somwhere for the kids to sit and plag games etc if you are watching tv up front or gives a place for early risers (see kids 5 and 8) to eat breakfast without having to pack up the double at the front. your dog could even curl up under the dinette to sleep.
our ranger served us well but i must add that you should invest in a damp meter of viewing caravans of this age, especially series 5 baileys as some, including mine are predisposed to leakage. some were repaired under warranty properly though.mine was repaired under warranty form the dealer i bought it from and while the going was good i traded it in.
you may also want to check out the 2006 Adria Adora 545 uk which was the first caravan i should have bought. a bit more basic but Adrias have a better record on leakage and damp. the Adria is wider so more spacious.
i would recommend a 6 berth for a family of 4 though.
------------- First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara
You may have to go to a budget of around 8k
We had a 2008 Bailey senator Indiana, which cost 7500, bought it private at 6 year old with all the gear.
We PX at nine year old for a 17k 3 year old van and got the same for it as we paid for it.
And we kept all the gear.
At around 8 years old we will be looking to do the same again.
That Senator is up for 9300 at 10 year old now at a main dealer.
You may be lucky at this time of year and pick up a bargain private, as they are up grading the van.
If you got the cash it is a buyers market at the moment.
But please please, check for full service history, and check for damp with a meter, or even better get it checked by a mobile engineer before buying.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Look on ebay and gumtree see whats for sale around your area that will suit your needs. Just look at first to get an idea.
They are plenty on here to help you, also look at the caravan repair wizard, this will show you what goes wrong and help you to spot faults going forward.
Each to his own, I would say. What suits one wouldn't suit another. Even very similar families may have very different priorities.
We bought our caravan off ebay for just £500, and we are just going into our 4th year with it. We are under no illusions about it, it is what it is, and its resale value is probably nil. Or is it? It's got everything we want, but it wouldn't suit many others, especially if modern looks are important. We will keep it until it is no longer viable to do so, then we'll buy another. Cash like last time. Oh, and we tow it with a 17 year old Volvo V70 diesel.
Quote: Originally posted by Ray Clayton on 21/2/2017
Nothing wrong with that Colin.
And i still love the V70.
Great motors Ray. Lovely and comfortable, loads of room, and quite economical for its size and weight. More than adequate performance too. Tows my caravan a treat, and I'd take it anywhere.
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: What layout and make / model?
