We are looking for our first caravan, and seem to have looked at so many I'm seeing them when I close my eyes!
Thought it would be easy to find what I want but it isn't, not sure if its my location (north East) but can't find my van.
If any of you clever helpful people spot anything like this can you give me a heads up
I would like 4/5 berth with double dinnete with and end seating area that makes into double bed and or bunk. Around the £5000/£5500 mark but would pay more if it came with awning etc, needs to be quite light as only normal car.
I'm not being lazy but perhaps going a little bit crazy and any help would be gratefully received.
Do you want to buy from a dealer or privately? And, when you say "normal car" - do you know what weight you can go up to as that might focus your choices a bit?
Quote: Originally posted by White Rose on 22/6/2011
Do you want to buy from a dealer or privately? And, when you say "normal car" - do you know what weight you can go up to as that might focus your choices a bit?
Well not bothered but think I might get more value privately as they seem to include awning, and other extras. The car is an Audi A4 so quite strong but I'm not sure what weight it will pull will ask hubby whenhe comes in about that, but he did mention that he wanted something lightweight also looking for single wheel one don't want much do I! Thanks for the quick reply white rose.
if you try going to a dealer tell him your needs and he will suggest a van as well as unit match your car, then when you have the info you can start looking private for the identified van or vans.
------------- Live Each Day Like Its Your Last, One Day Youll Be Right
Sorry but it made me chuckle. If you go to a dealer ask for a single axel.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
First find out what your car can tow, look on what tow car , then have a look on caravan finder that will give you an idea of layouts , if you are looking for a lightweight 4/5 berth you should look at the lunar zenith 4 or lunar zenith 5 both very light weight good starter vans , and privately you could pick up a 2003-2005 for your money and more than likely get alot of stuff with a private sale.
Good luck in your search, I know it's harder than you first think to find your first van, but when you find the right one you will know :)
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
As a slight alternative if size / weight is an issue, look for an Elddis Avante 475 or equivalent. We have one. Front dinette double, rear corner dinette double with bunk over, corner washroom alongside. Kitchen on offside, useful sized worktop and cabinets opposite.
This layout saves length having the washroom in the corner, and it's not a bad size room either (I can use it and I'm not by any means small!)
I manhandle it myself (on the flat!!) and tow with a Megane diesel as the MPTLM is only 1200kg (car kerbweight 1425 according to weighbridge, before people think car isn't up to the job)....
I must admit I wouldve ideally gone for a traditional twin dinette, but the extra length and weight would've meant a larger car, which wasn't an option, as it's also my driving school car, can't use anything massive for that job!!
You should have a nose around a few dealers to get a better idea what you do/don't like about various makes and make a list of the ones you like, try and imagine your stuff in it and how you plan to live in it.
My personal "must" is a decent amount of workspace, we sold our last van after just one trip as it had hardly any and it was so inconvenient. There are compromises in every layout so try and think of your priorities.
If the above weights apply to cckids' car, I'd say there's plenty to go at for a first van around that budget, which would buy a van circa 2000-2004 ish depending on spec and dealer/private.
Aforementioned Elddis Avante 475, Bailey ranger 500/5, Lunar Zenith as mentioned, probably a multitude of others around that age, when vans were a good few kgs lighter...
Agree on nosing round plenty of vans, the more you compare the better (we tramped through dozens) and obviously picture yourselves and your gear in it, and how the available space would work for you. You hear of people buying 'the wrong layout', but IMHO with sufficient groundwork it shouldn't happen.
your caravan needs to be at 85% of your cars kerb weight to be safe on tow.we have a bailey ranger 500/5 and have beds at both ends.ie rear two singles or a double.there is also a bunk bed at the back over the top of the main bed.the weight of ours is 1272 kgs MTPLM.MAX LOAD.check your towbar weight too as some are only 50 kgs,most are 75 kgs.ours is 92 kgs.you do not want to buy a van and then have a car that can not pull it.it does happen.
I have to say I began to dream about them when we were looking. Don't worry you will know when you see the one. It's a bit like buying a house, it will just feel right,
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Topic: Ive got caravan blindness HELP
. If you go to a dealer ask for a single axel.
but it aint my tow car) weight wise your gonna be really limited.
