He we have been using the forums for a while now and have been campers, we went away to the south of france this year and have now decided that we definately want a caravan, ive spent hours trawling through the site but there doesnt seem to be a sticky or dedicated thread for newbies? Unless ive missed it because the search engine isnt upto much lol
So I should start with the facts, Mummy and Daddy both in our 30's and 2 girls aged 5 and 7, we have a Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 diesel 2007.
We have already decided that we want an end bedroom type van with the ability to partition off the rear while the kids are in bed, so the van needs to be at least a 4 berth or pref a 5 berth for anyone who tags along and the budget will be roughly 3 - 4k max.
Ive been looking and I think the best bet will be to buy privately from someone who is selling up so we get everything thrown in, ie awning ect, but if not what do you need to get started? ie water carriers, waste carriers electric hook ups ect
How does the tv work now its all gone to digital?
I need to buy a damp meter, ive seen 1 in maplins and b&q, would they be any good as I cant afford a prometer.
There is a local place to me tourers r us which im going to pop to tomorrow to see how it all works and get some advice, so im tempted to hire a van for a weekend to see how I get on but to be honest I already know we will love it, its a step up from camping and im used to towing a 4 meter long box trailer, I know a caravan is bigger and heavier but still.
Now ive seen a good looking van a short drive from where I live its a 1996 Swift Classic Allouette 5 berth that comes with a new awning and is only 3k or would I better waiting untill before christmas when people (inc me) are a bit more strapped for cash? to get a better deal. Same question applies to selling our camping gear, ive got a Vango Maritsa 700 with footprint and carpet and lots of other camping equipment, would we be better off waiting to sell it in spring or selling it all now?
Thanks in advance, I love this site, its a great source of information!
From what iv read and heard its is getting to the time to buy caravans as you get better deals.
Sorry I cant be of anymore help as we only got our 1st van in July but I love it already and if you go away without an awning its so easy to pack up if the weather is rubbish, loving it at the moment used to camp a couple of times a year but im so happy we took the plunge.
hi look at the bailey 500/5,this has an end bedroom that can be shut off at night.stick to 85% of your cars kerb weight when buying if you can.its a safer weight to pull.our bailey MTPLM 1272.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
The TV works just the same as it always does assuming it has a built in freeview tuner (or set top box). Just pug it in to the aerial and electric and turn on the tuner.
The best time to buy a caravan is when you find one you like at a price you are willing to pay. You will get a better deal privately but no warranty so make sure it is dry.
Spend some time looking around dealers stock to get a real good idea of what you want.
We bought a cheap damp meter and it was useless. You could always hire a Protimeter. If you buy a damp 'van the cost of a Protimeter will start to look very cheap!
We bought our first 'van from a dealer and were glad we did as it needed a fairly expensive repair that wasn't obvious to us as novices and only came to light after we had owned it for several weeks.
Some dealers will throw in a starter kit with a used 'van. We got water containers, leisure battery, chemicals, drainpipes and hookup lead with our first one. You can always haggle!
Quote: Originally posted by Al+Mel on 23/9/2012
Good plan. Tool hire places have them too.
Some dealers will throw in a starter kit with a used 'van. We got water containers, leisure battery, chemicals, drainpipes and hookup lead with our first one. You can always haggle!
We got a similar deal on our first van
It's quite surprising how all the extras add up so the starter kit was a godsend.
Hi, we had the layout you're looking for when our children were young and it was great.
I personally wouldn't buy a van purely based on the extras as these can be picked up as you go from free ads etc., unless it's the van you really want anyway.
£3k seems quite high for a 1996 I think? I would wait until next year to sell your tent though.
Happy hunting!!
------------- Are you sure you've read the instructions?
Yep price is WAY to high on that for a private sale ,our 98 eldiss stands us around £600 and a bit of hard graft to sort it out.now is the time to buy but take your time ,they can be easy to buy but hard to sell .
Likewise with your camping gear sell in the spring when people are
buying
P.s look in my profile to see our van to get a idea
I always say that the best place to start is to buy a book that contains absolutely everything from buying along with the pifalls to watch, where to look for damp, choosing awnings, understanding gas & gas appliances, using 12 volt & 240 volt electrics, sterilising fresh water (filtered and non filtered systems), sanitation systems, waste water, toilets and waste holding tanks, using a refridgerator and the list just goes on. So there is so much to consider and so much to know that's it all here at your fingertips which is the best place to start. The book I bought and recommend is the Haynes Caravan Handbook by John Wickersham and if there is something that is not contained that I need to know about then UKCS is my second port of call. It's the best 8 quid you will ever spend and you can keep it with you in the caravan for future reference should you need it.
Thanks for the replys guys, would anybody happen to have a list of all the must have items for using a caravan, because I didnt know about the leasure battery, I thought they came with the caravan, and chemicals I asume are for the water waste, whats this about 2 different gas bottles too? and so the caravan seems overpriced too? But it does come with a nearly brand new full sized awning? Its this 1 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221127443243?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648
I always say that the best place to start is to buy a book that contains absolutely everything from buying along with the pifalls to watch, where to look for damp, choosing awnings, understanding gas & gas appliances, using 12 volt & 240 volt electrics, sterilising fresh water (filtered and non filtered systems), sanitation systems, waste water, toilets and waste holding tanks, using a refridgerator and the list just goes on. So there is so much to consider and so much to know that's it all here at your fingertips which is the best place to start. The book I bought and recommend is the Haynes Caravan Handbook by John Wickersham and if there is something that is not contained that I need to know about then UKCS is my second port of call. It's the best 8 quid you will ever spend and you can keep it with you in the caravan for future reference should you need it.
Quote: Originally posted by tetchy100 on 23/9/2012 Thanks for the replys guys, would anybody happen to have a list of all the must have items for using a caravan, because I didnt know about the leasure battery, I thought they came with the caravan, and chemicals I asume are for the water waste, whats this about 2 different gas bottles too? and so the caravan seems overpriced too? But it does come with a nearly brand new full sized awning? Its this 1 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221127443243?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648
The price guide said £2500 private, £3200 dealer, so if its in really good order and has a nearly new awning its probably about right - by the time you have haggled a bit. You would have to go over it from top to bottom with a Protimeter. You can't smell the damp. If its there it is trapped between the aluminium outer skin and the waterproof vinyl inner lining of the wallboard. If the problem is advanced there will be soft, spongy patches of wallboard around. If the 'van is dry and sound it could last you for years. If not it will either cost you a fortune or take up all your spare time in repairs.
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: camping to caravanning
