We're just starting out and looking at second hand caravans. We have some ideas of layout and things that we're looking for but I would really like to ask some advice directly from those who know. We've been watching days of YouTube caravanning videos and podcasts and can't wait to get going and start travelling.
What piece of advice would you give to someone in our position, looking for a new to us caravan?
Any golden nugget of information which newbies should know when it comes to trying to decide on a caravan?
What to look for? What to avoid? Anything that's essential? Anything to check? Even any dealers or companies to avoid? Should I buy a damp meter?
We have a tight budget and want to make every penny count. We'd appreciate any and all advice, thanks in advance.
BUY A DAMP METER! set your budget, find what weight of caravan your car can actually tow. REMOVE ROSE COLOURED GLASSES! find a van? get a friend to go and view it without you there one that knows about caravans too. make sure you see EVERYTHING working fully
You're worst enemy is damp so check thoroughly with a damp meter first. Check the dates on the tyres and if they are 5 years or older then they will need replacing. Push open all the windows and check for window delamination as caravan windows are very expensive to replace. Check all skylights for operation and make sure that the handles haven't broken or any gas struts that are not functioning. Feel for any sponginess under foot and if there is then it's a sign of floor delamination and will require treating. Install a leisure battery and check that all the 12 volt electrics are operational and also the mains electrics too and plug a lamp into each 3 pin socket to make sure they are working. If the caravan comes with a service history then that's a bonus.
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.
Before you even start looking at caravans you need to determine the kerbweight of the towing vehicle and the the maximum it can tow. No good finding the ideal caravan and then to find out that it is not safe to tow with your current vehicle.
What type of car do you have? If we can have the year, brand and model, engine size and whether it is automatic or manual it may help?
Oh sorry, forgot to mention it's a six speed automatic.
I'm also a bus and coach driver driving 12m + coaches (obviously fixed body) and have driven plenty of trailers and small trucks, long wheel base vans etc so driving knowledge and experience isn't such an issue but advice is still very much welcome. Very willing to learn from you all.
Quote: Originally posted by SyAndNic on 07/6/2023
Hi, thanks so much for your help - really impressed how caravanning people are so happy to offer their knowledge and experience.
We have a Vauxhall Crossland X 2019 1.2 and it says tow weight is 1200kg /1.2 MT.
I have cross reference the details above and I cannot find any 1.2 Crossland with a towing weight of 1200kg. Some are as low as 650k while others are at 840kg maximum towing weight whether manual or auto? There are the 83ps, 110ps and the 130ps and none are capable to towing up to 1200kg.
Quote: Originally posted by SyAndNic on 07/6/2023
Oh sorry, forgot to mention it's a six speed automatic.
I'm also a bus and coach driver driving 12m + coaches (obviously fixed body) and have driven plenty of trailers and small trucks, long wheel base vans etc so driving knowledge and experience isn't such an issue but advice is still very much welcome. Very willing to learn from you all.
Towing a lightweight caravan that is subject to the wind is probably very different to towing due to the surface area on the sides of the caravan. Also you need to contend with the whims of the road surface. Loading a caravan can be critical.
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!
Hi, sorry. Got my cars mixed up. 1.2mt is for the older car.
It's 640kg unbraked and 840kg braked as far as I can see fro to checker site but not home to check V5.
I do apologise and I know this will limit what we pull massively but still want to. It's only the two of us and the dog luckily!
If you want a 'real' caravan, you need a bigger car, no question. If you are happy to just go 'one up' from a tent, there all sorts of options, but for me most are smaller than many decent tents unless you get into awnings and stuff besides. Then theres the weight factor again. You first need to decide exactly what you want; pop-up/folding/trailer or go-pod type. Or conventional caravan.
Yeah we've actually started looking at trailer tents/box trailer/covered trailers. Even row boats! Much easier to tow and a larger footprint when out to allow tag-along children and grandchildren when they feel like it.
We also have a large roof box so we have plenty of space for storage.
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Topic: New caravan purchase
via mobile 06/6/2023 at 11:16pm
