We're browsing even tho our van isn't sold yet (altho plenty people watching it & a gent  who's very keen but needs to swap his car 1st).

Anyway, I've found a 2006 Lunar Zenith that needs a couple of very minor jobs doing (mattress for 5th bunk & casing for fireplace).  Nice & light at 1250 kilos.  For the same price there's also a lovely 2003 Sterling Eccles Amethyst.  Heavier at over 1400kg but still lighter than our 6 berth.

I know it's a matter of personal opinion, but assuming they're both dry etc... which would you go for?  The newer, lighter van or the older, heavier but higher spec van?  We haven't been to see either of them yet - don't think it'd be fair as both private sellers & wouldn't want to waste their time if ours isn't sold yet.

that is exactly the dilemma we are having Vanessa.

We have the chance to buy a 2004 Sterling Europa 510 with mover, full Isabella awning + annexe and loads of other bits of a work colleague for 6k or do we go for a 2007/08 van from the dealer you bought of for around the 9k mark. We're seeing the Sterling on Saturday morning, its the double dinette layout whereas the dealer vans are all fixed beds. I had a look at some double dinette vans today and reckon we could make it work by leaving the back double made up and using it as a fixed bed.

Quote: Originally posted by Gareth72 on 23/6/2011

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Personally I'd decide based on condition. Slight worry that despite being a few years newer, the Lunar has bits dropping off it, whereas the Sterling is 'lovely'. That would go a considerable way to making my mind up for me....

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its interesting to read your post Vanessa as when I was looking at the van today the idea of escaping to the back of the van away from the tv and the kids at the front appealed to me. I thought book and glass of wine . I'm starting to think a fixed bed maybe is a waste of space. Our kids dont want to know about going in the awning to sleep . Usually we only have our 12 yr old daughter with us and her 15 yr old brother whos autistic prefers to stay with the inlaws.

I'm really hoping we love the Sterling, its difficult though with someone you know to say no and walk away. I know its going to be immaculate and apparently the loo has never seen a number two

Quote: Originally posted by savanne1 on 23/6/2011

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I know its going to be immaculate and apparently the loo has never seen a number two

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  I thought it was normal for number twos to be banned.

I always used to enjoy sitting at the back with a good book but the bottom bunk of a 6 berth doesn't quite have the same effect.

Go see them both, several times each if necessary! It's a lot of money to spend either way, don't look at it as 'messing people about', you need to be sure your money is going towards the right van.

How would the 'no number two' rule be enforced on a CL with no bog block?? Just curious

Maybe that's what bushes are for.....

Should you find that the dreaded number 2 has in fact made it's  way through the system

Thetford C2/C3/C4 Cassette Toilet Fresh-Up Set

Thetford C200 Cassette Toilet Fresh-Up Set

Job done 

or should that be Jobbie 

I cant say much about Lunars other than the new ones we saw earlier in the year looked very good with a very high standard of finish, however being the owner of a 2003 Eccles Jewel I can say a couple of things, you get to take 237kg or so of gear with you which makes the van not the lightest at 1500kg  but it tows like a dream, it still gets top marks for being free of damp in the annual service (although obviously this can change from van to van), we aren't smokers nor were its previous owners and the van still smells like new, the bed is to die for, the best thing of all is it is just so usable and has a maximum feel good factor, which is what caravaning for me is all about, so choose the one that pops your cork and as Gareth said go through each van thoroughly people with a good van wont mind 

Stew  

Ps        We tow with Terrano and now Jeep so no probs for us the nose weight range between 75kg and 105kg, we keep around 95kg

We went for an older 'van than we intended (but still 2 years newer than our previous one) because it was in fabulous condition. It was also a 'special edition' so had a few extras that other models of the year didn't have! We wanted a Sterling fixed bed but when this Lunar came up at our preferred dealer, it was such a lovely 'van (and lighter) that we didn't hesitate.

We found it very hard deciding which layout to go for as there wasn't one that was exactly fitted our needs but we really love the layout we have now and are very happy with Lunar quality and spec.

Good luck with your viewings and hopefully you'll just know when you walk inside a 'van which one is right for you (as we did)! If it doesn't 'feel right' maybe its not the one for you! Gut feeling?

Hi

It is so very hard to find a layout which suits for any length of time when you have growing children.

We started out with an end-washroom, side-dinette Ace Transtar with U-shaped seating at the front.  At the time, our son was 10 and the side-dinette lower bunk was perfect.  But the U-shaped seating at the front made an uncomfortable bed for us and sitting around the table was awkward, so we changed.

We then went for a Challenger 530 with the same layout, but with parallel seating.  Unfortunately, this was very short-sighted of us as our growing lad soon started complaining about the narrow bed side-dinette bed.  He doesn't like the concept of sleeping in the awning - and since he has Type 1 diabetes, it wouldn't be easy to deal with a hypo in the night in an annexe, so we changed again!  Having bought this van new, it was not good to change it after only 3 years :-(

Now we have a fixed bed van with an end-washroom and a small front lounge.  It gives the lad (now nearly 15) a front double bed to himself and now that he stays up as late as we do, there isn't the issue of him needing the lounge to become a bedroom before we are ready to turn-in ourselves.  Its the largest van we've had but with a slightly lower spec than the Challenger, it weighs in a little less, so it doesn't need a 4x4 to tow it.

I had thought the fixed bed might be a waste of space, but I wouldn't say I have found it to be.  Although we don't put a huge weight in there for travelling, we do use it to put loads of stuff in whilst on site.  I can lounge on the bed with a book and glass of wine if we want to spread ourselves out a little,  If our older boys (in their mid and late 20's) were ever to take a fancy to joining us - they could always sleep in the awning.  So, I do think I have found a layout which will suit us for a very long time to come - until I have grand-children I suppose!

It is hard to settle on a layout and my only advice would be to think ahead!  Those single/bunk beds are very quickly outgrown, not just in length, but in width. The side dinette bed in our Challenger was narrower than say a front single would be, because of the framework for the upper bunk (which we didn't use).  Our lad is skinny, but he found a side single bed just too shelf-like after the age of about 12.  I think he described it as being like a coffin!    I think that for a lot of folks, it is really a case of sleeping the teens in the awning at this stage, rather than the nearly impossible task of fitting them into the van with the adults.

I hope you all find the vans you are looking for soon.