We have had a trailer tent for a couple of seasons, and now feel we want a caravan, the main reasons being so that we can extend our season, have a few more creature comforts (oven and cassette toilet) and not worry about having to pack it away wet (we have nowhere to dry out a wet canvas).
So, we are after something from about 1995-2000, 5 berth, in very clean condition. We like the front and rear dinette layouts (with a bunk above) meaning we can take all 3 kids with us come all weathers or travel with another couple etc.
We have a max of £3500 to spend, and would like a full awning to be included. Obviously if we could find something that ticks all the boxes for £2k we would snap it up.
Does anyone know of any makes and models that are particularly robust, or damp-prone, or particularly durable etc. Anything to watch out for?
Any advice welcome really!
I'll be buying a damp meter to have a poke about, and am pretty thorough when it comes to checking them out.
If you know of a suitable van for sale, please let me know. We have tried all the local dealers and have stuggled to find anything suitable at even £5k :o(
I'm sure you'll find something around what you're looking for.
Have you tried autotrader caravan section - we found that really useful when we were looking to swap. (I clearly have too much time on my hands as I've run a search on autotrader for you - theres a 94 5 berth with full awning on for £2250 30 miles from you!)
We also looked at loads of dealer websites whether they were near us or not to get ideas of layouts and prices.
Don't forget the free ads on here too - some one may be selling up!
Good luck with the search.
------------- Gail
March - Bamburgh
Easter - Low Park Wood CC Kendal
May - Yellowcraigs CC North Berwick
June - Wharfedale CC Grassington
I have no idea on the oven! Presumably it would depend on what space you have. Could you not manage with a microwave?
The Free ads are at the top of the page. I think Practical Caravan also have classifieds on their website and so do the Caravan Club, but you may need to be a member to view.
Happy hunting.
------------- Gail
March - Bamburgh
Easter - Low Park Wood CC Kendal
May - Yellowcraigs CC North Berwick
June - Wharfedale CC Grassington
I have no idea on the oven! Presumably it would depend on what space you have. Could you not manage with a microwave?
The Free ads are at the top of the page. I think Practical Caravan also have classifieds on their website and so do the Caravan Club, but you may need to be a member to view.
Happy hunting.
------------- Gail
March - Bamburgh
Easter - Low Park Wood CC Kendal
May - Yellowcraigs CC North Berwick
June - Wharfedale CC Grassington
I have no idea on the oven! Presumably it would depend on what space you have.
Could you not manage with a microwave?
The Free ads are at the top of the page. I think Practical Caravan also have classifieds on their website and so do the Caravan Club, but you may need to be a member to view.
Happy hunting.
Thanks again. I think we will stick to vans with an oven. We seldom use a microwave at home! We always cook "proper" food, although we will be taking our halogen oven with us which is fine for joints of meat etc, a grill/conventional oven would be required still though.
You could try Preloved, Caravanfinder & Caravanselecta too. I think your expectations are realistic - we bought our 2005 5 berth Swift privately in June & paid £5250 with awnings & full kit included so a 1995-2000 for under £3500 should be achievable...
If you're not in too much of a rush you'd be better hanging on til at least end of October when the season is deemed to be over for a lot of people (or closer to the end of the year if you can wait that long) - more people will be selling after the end of the season & there'll be less buyers so you're likely to get a better deal. You're also likely to get more included & a better price with a private sale than through a dealer so long as you check them over carefully.
I was only having a nosey yesterday and spotted this van 1996 looks tidy enough but i don't really know much about vans you'd have to go and inspect it obviously but the lay out is what you're after and its under 2k?. Maybe look towards that manufactuer?
------------- "Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring -- it was peace."
--Milan Kundera
You will be limited to a degree by your car and it`s legal
towing capacity . If you are restricted to around 1100kg then have a good look at the Lunar range . Lighter than average and well kitted out . Caravan ovens on early models are rubbish , small , too low down and hard to maintain proper temperature for `proper meals`. From 1995 on a number of better equipped caravans came with a near full size cooker and thermostatically controlled cooker . Good luck , the bargains are there but usually take a bit of finding .
I recently paid considerably more that your budget for a 2001 Coachman, but the Coachman does hold it's value quite well. We bought a 1992 5 berth Avondale 5 years ago from a dealer for £2500 so a late 90s model should be around for your budget, especially if you buy privately.
You could try a late Avondale Ulysses. These were an upmarket caravan in their day with all the extras you would expect at the time and were a very light and well balanced caravan. I think they dropped them in about 1998 but made an identical caravan with a few colour changes externally under the Dart range after that. Following the demise of Avondale, you can pick these up a lot cheaper than other makes.
I'm looking at vans up to 1250kg MTPLM as this gives me an 85% match, although I'd go for something up to 1350kg MTPLM if it was that bit more special.
With respect to the oven, I fear you may be correct that early van ovens are rubbish. It will take some persuasion to convince the Mrs that a van without an oven is worth looking at though!!
Thanks for the tip about the Avondales, we have seen a couple and quite liked them, although not with our preferred layout. We like Lunar vans too coincidentally!
I had seen the Bailey in the classifieds, will see if I can pop up there for a look at the weekend.
As for the ABI, there seems to be lots of them about, but just feel a bit low-rent to be honest, we've sat in a few an neither of us liked them. A shame because there are so many around in budget!
Keep the advice and links coming, they really are appreciated!!!
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Topic: First timer looking for a sub £3k van
