I'm totally new to caravans, and just wondered if anyone could help as have spent a while looking for alternatives and struggling.
Basically we're after a 4 berth caravan but our drive is quite short at 5.9metres (19ft 4in) so we are somewhat limited by the external length. Our children are young so bunk beds are OK.
The xplore 304 seems like a superb contender but it is just a little out of our budget. We are looking to spend under 6k ideally which I know isn't a massive budget but we will also need to factor in a change of car as we currently only have a fabia estate 1.2 tsi and although it can tow 1100kg, I feel that it will be under powered even if we do get a lightweight caravan.
Does anybody have any other suggestions?
We do not want a folding camper - nor tent! We are done with that sort of camping!
The place to assist in your search is https://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/caravan_search_results.html?be=4&ma=all&mo=&pm=0&p........ , it's a great and easy way of searching what's out there that meets or is close to your requirements. You don't have to treat it as a source to buy from, but the search filters make it easy to exclude most of what you are not interested in, and what you whittle down to gives you scope to search the market in general.
But I don't hold out much hope for a 4 berth with your constraints, between possibly only a few caravans that meet your requirements in the first place, there is availability for the price AND one that is worthy of purchase (be paranoid about checking for damp!), never say never, but up there with hens teeth I fear!
The caravanfinder link only brought up one contender within your spec and only then because it had the wrong dimensions entered by seller, so ignore that one! Remove the price constraint and a few more are listed but the Elddis Xplore 304 that you are already aware of occupies quite a lot of the list, albeit out of your budget.
I think you will find you are in good company when it comes to seeking a caravan, most of us have started with a plan/dream, but reality has caused us to tweak it around a bit before we found what we could really obtain.
You don't say how young your children are, but be aware the vast majority of bunk beds are not full size nor especially adult weight capable either, quite possibly outgrown by young to middling teens! Check/measure sizes and weight constraints to be sure they are suitable and remain suitable for a reasonable time!
The way to expand the sleeping capacity of small caravans can be to use inner bedrooms in an awning, kids often love it as it gives them a little privacy from parents!
Search makes Caravelair & Stercekman. These are French made caravans. Each have models that fit your needs. 5.9mtres overall. They have bunks across the back & dinette that goes to double bed at front.
Caravans are French made & do not have UK importers now but secondhand they sometimes come up.
I think with your limited budget and size and car you will be looking at an old caravan with potential age related problems.
I would suggest you look at a Riva Dandy Destiny which is similar to a folding camper in concept but very different in practice.
It folds down to about 4 foot high and weighs 1000kg fully loaded. As it is low, it will be easily towable with your car.
It has an onboard washroom with cassette toilet and washbasin, built in fridge, wardrobe, chest of drawers and other cupboards etc. kitchen sink and gas hob and grille. Doors and windows are solid caravan style.
The walls are mostly solid but roof and part of walls are PVC impregnated polyester which is fully waterproof and insulated. You'll find it warm in winter and cool in summer and it will last for ages. May also be folded away wet and left like it until you use it again. It will not rot or go mouldy and will be dry very soon, even when folded. The PVC simply does not absorb water like canvas etc.
Opened up it is 19 foot long inside with a double bed at each end one of which converts to a settee and a berth dinette which converts to another double bed.
Have a look at Riva Dandy Sales website.
Note there are light blue and white destinys which are older and dark blue and white. You want a dark blue and white version.
Our daughter and family have had an Eldiss Xplore 304 for 6 years, their son and daughter are 10 and 11 and love it. They have a 2 metre awning g but don't use it for short breaks. You just have to be organised, tidy a d inventive with the use of space.
------------- Jean
Sometimes a little rain must fall before you reach a rainbow.
The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you finish the work.
We would consider a budget of £6k to be truly massive, as ours was a fraction of that. We also needed a short caravan and the one we have now is the absolute maximum length we could have at 19' 5" long overall. However, we were not bothered by age so much as condition, hence we have a 1992 model bought for just £1,100 in 2018. It's a 4 berth caravan although there are now only two of us. It seems to us to have masses of room, but maybe that's just because we have never had a bigger one. Ours has a dinette at the front which turns into either a big double bed or two full-length singles, which is what we usually use. Across the back is a smaller dinette that converts to bunks, but the top bunk would only take a small, light child. It probably wouldn't be any good for a teenager, although the bottom bunk would take an adult. Older caravans like ours are much lighter than modern ones, so would be capable of being towed by a much smaller car than our X Trail. Our Elddis is well within your 1,100kg limit, in fact it is under 1,000kg.
Quote: Originally posted by sheepy34 on 30/5/2022
Hi Colin. What model is your caravan? The layout sounds ideal. Our children are 6 and 8 so still quite young.
Thank you to all for replying.
Hi, our caravan is an Elddis Wisp 450CT. Although it's an older model you can only really tell that from the styling. It must have been really well made to have lasted so long, as I have heard on here that owners of 5 year old vans have had many more problems with them than we have. My profile pictures show it, and the awning which we use with it, and with that attached it gives us so much room we could throw a party. It has everything that the latest caravans have apart from a microwave and air-con, but then not all new caravans have those either.
Quote: Originally posted by sheepy34 on 30/5/2022
Hi Colin. What model is your caravan? The layout sounds ideal. Our children are 6 and 8 so still quite young.
Thank you to all for replying.
It has everything that the latest caravans have apart from a microwave and air-con, but then not all new caravans have those either.
Thats a bold claim Col. That said, not many new vans have aircon either. And none are 'orange' inside anymore. (Who thought orange wood would be a good look for inside caravans?!) I had to flog my motorhome in the end, because the - 'orange'- colour of the units did my head in.
Quote: Originally posted by sheepy34 on 30/5/2022
Hi Colin. What model is your caravan? The layout sounds ideal. Our children are 6 and 8 so still quite young.
Thank you to all for replying.
It has everything that the latest caravans have apart from a microwave and air-con, but then not all new caravans have those either.
Thats a bold claim Col. That said, not many new vans have aircon either. And none are 'orange' inside anymore. (Who thought orange wood would be a good look for inside caravans?!) I had to flog my motorhome in the end, because the - 'orange'- colour of the units did my head in.
In my opinion Mick, the main difference between caravans of the 1990s and today's models is cosmetic. The styling has changed quite considerably, but there is not a great deal of difference in the equipment. On the other hand, the difference between a 1960s caravan and a 1990s one is vast. My late 1960s Sprite Musketeer had glass windows, gas lights and no running water, not even cold. Not only was there no mains electricity, there was no 12 volt either, apart from the road lights of course, until I installed it. I also installed a water tank and an electric pump.
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: 4 berth Recommendation Short
via mobile 24/5/2022 at 6:23pm
That said, not many new vans have aircon either. And none are 'orange' inside anymore.
