I am hoping that someone can point us in the right direction regarding our first purchase of a caravan. We currently have a Toyota Hiace camper van that we love but as hubby had a heart atttack last year we are considering moving to a caravan, putting the roof up and lifting the portaloo in and out and packing and unpacking everything is getting a bit too much. We only need a two berth and we both think that a large bathroom is a waste of space but would like a small bathroom with shower. Do we go for fixed bed or not? We have seen a Lunar Chateau that we like as it would give us the choice of leaving the bed made up or packing away for a second eating/sitting area. Has anyone any views on the Lunar Chateau or any other suggestions! Went round a few caravan sales places at the weekend and other than deciding that we don't want something too big we really are at a quandry as to what to buy. Your help and advice would be appreciated. We live in Barnsley, South Yorkshire so would also appreciate suggestions as to where to go to buy. We are probably looking at a used caravan.
How to advise The layout of your new van should be that which suits you, what you actually like. I like the idea of a fixed bed as it saves having to mess around with a bed and bedding twice a day (I'm kinda lazy )
I would advise looking and trying all the layouts you find that might suit you - don't forget a wash room too small to use might be more of a wasted space than a large washroom
The most important advice I can give you is to go armed looking for damp, it would seem most caravans are suseptible to it, and, unless you are prepared to treat it yourself, could prove quite expensive to get rid of.
Good luck with your quest and I hope you soon find the one for you
I can't tell about the UK caravan market, but in general the advantage of two birth is that those vans can be smaller (and you wrote that you prefer smaller). However seen the heart attack of your husband and the explicit wish to go camping easier with more comfort I would certainly go for a fixed bed. No converting the settee moarning and night, and at least as important, if your husband feels tired and needs some rest by day, or earlier in the evening the bed is ready for you to take a nap. And in the morning one prepares the tea/coffee and you can both drink your morning tea (or coffee) without having to convert the bed first. It's really much more comfortable.
Must admit the lazy side of me does favour a fixed bed and even though we only have a small campervan I do leave the bed made up in the good weather when we can sit in the awning or outside to eat and relax.
Thanks for the advice about the washroom it does make sense that too small may be too small and quite useless. I think what I don't want though is one of those that have a carpeted dressing area cos that is what I think is the waste of space. The ones we saw at the weekend had a carpeted area between the shower cubicle and the toilet and sink room. Can't be used to store anything as it would block entry to shower etc and takes up valuable space that surely could be put to better use.
Silly question but how do I look for damp. Please don't say that you can smell it cos I have been unable to smell or taste anything since December and I am waiting to go and see a specialist to get sorted. Not sure I would rely on hubby to notice, "sorry Jack". I remember when I first met him and visited his flat and noticed a strong smell of damp in one of the rooms - he had lived there for two years and had not even noticed, he had not even noticed the visible black patch on one wall! I must admit that I am a bit worried that most caravans have this problem. Oh dear should we just stick with our little van! But we can only do that for a couple more years before we need to consider changing van or changing to a caravan - oh the decisions! Then someone told me that they had ended up with winter visitors in the form of mice one year!!!
Oh well I guess I will have a good look round and take the plunge when I find something that says "buy me!"
Without wishing to add to your predicament, since changing from a tent to a caravan recently, I personally can't think of anything worse than a caravan for someone with heart problems. At least with a motorhome you don't have to worry half as much about weight, towing, snaking, tyre pressures, damp, wheels falling off, vibrating extension mirrors, reversing, trying to hitch up without breaking your back, jockey wheels falling down in transit, number plates falling off, indicators failing, cracked front panels, cleaning fluids, suspension, brakes, steadies...and I'm sure I've missed many other things that seem to worry the living daylights out of many caravan owners...
Caravans need not be that much work or worry as you suggest. I changed from tent to caravans three or four years ago.
When tenting my than OH (now ex) thought I worried too much. All pegs, all guylines in case of thunderstorms etc, keeping food and butter cool etc. I find the caravan much more relaxing now, in spite of taking care that all is properly loaded and careful overtaking/being overtaaken.
But you are right in some things: for Rochnia: several people use a cordless drill to extend the steadies. Learning proper manoeuvring with a caravan is wise. A mover could be a very useful option for you. Good manoeuvring saves you the cost of a mover (I don't have one, but many people find them very comfortable, it's a balance between money and comfort).
Rochnia: Look around well, read a lot on sites like this, take panic-postings with a pinch of salt.
I just read a lot in advance and now I hear that I camp very organized and in control. Awning erected in at most half an hour, normally about 20 minutes (or left away for long weekends when we don't bother for just two persons) etc.
why not look at an adria altea 432px light caravan to tow fixed bed not a big van and its light to tow its a four birth and the shower room is not to small
------------- bryanA friend is one who knows all about you, and still likes you
Have a look at a Bailey Senetor Indiana... Im biased I know but we have two older kids and I can see our van would be a dream for a couple, its nice for us four but two would be perfect.
------------- A diplomat thinks twice before saying nothing ... Pam
I like the look of both the Lunar Chateau and the Adria Altea 432PX thanks for pointing that one out to me. I now need to find a dealer that has them so that I can have a look at both.
Whilst hubby has had a heart attack, he has also had an operation to 'fix' the problem and should return to almost full health. But it was the problem with having to do everything my self (particulary the heavy jobs) that made us consider a caravan and of course the ease at which you can drive away in the car. We do use a drive away awning but it gets a bit of a pain moving things out of the van into the awning - its almost like packing up to go and the same on return to site. We do intend to have a mover fitted so moving a caravan should not be such a problem. MInds you the list of Bob's does concern me - come on all you successful caravanners - tell me he's wrong and that caravanning is easy!
Right back to work! Oh and I will have a look at the Bailey - a friend who has another model Bailey remains very impressed in his third year of ownership.
The lunar chateau seems to have a good name for build quality. The thing I didnt like about it was the sink/drainer (lack of drainer)
Regards
Robin
Thanks for this - you know I never noticed when I saw one on Sunday. Thats the problem when you have a look round you only see the thing as a whole so to speak. Will bear this in mind and have another look.
Just love our Bordeaux for 1) fixed bed 2) weight of items in van before you load up is mainly over the axle and evenly distributed on both sides and it tows like a dream 3) shower may be small to some but we have been surprised at just how roomy it is when in use. They've made them shorter for the series 6, weight pretty good as you don't have to use a 4 x 4. Downside is lack of kitchen storage but we're adapting. Spent four months looking in shows etc. Narrowed choice to three and then really went over all the details with a fine toothcomb having previously let enthusiasm rule our heads!! Got it right this time. Happy hunting.
The switch to caravan is a good idea - but DO get a motor mover fitted. This is vital especially if you're going for a good sized van. The manoeuvring once on site - putting onto wedges to level etc. pulling the van off wet grass or mud with a car is not always possible especially single handed. The layout inside is almost immaterial once you have the mover. With your OH's health issues I would suggest you go for something which you will have little to do inside when setting up or living in. Our fixed bed is a godsend - we will be looking for a twin bedded model next though, nightly visits to the loo are becoming more frequent and getting over each other does not fill either of us with quite the same frissance that it used to....
Spent four months looking in shows etc. Narrowed choice to three and then really went over all the details with a fine toothcomb having previously let enthusiasm rule our heads!!
Sound advice - I think we will take our time over this and not panic buy because we see something that we think we want and don't want it to be sold before we have made our minds up.
The switch to caravan is a good idea - but DO get a motor mover fitted. This is vital especially if you're going for a good sized van. The manoeuvring once on site - putting onto wedges to level etc. pulling the van off wet grass or mud with a car is not always possible especially single handed. The layout inside is almost immaterial once you have the mover. With your OH's health issues I would suggest you go for something which you will have little to do inside when setting up or living in. Our fixed bed is a godsend - we will be looking for a twin bedded model next though, nightly visits to the loo are becoming more frequent and getting over each other does not fill either of us with quite the same frissance that it used to....
Glad you think it is a good idea and yes we have decided that a mover is of prime importance. Do you know I didn't think about the logistics of getting in and out of bed but this is a good point! In our campervan we both exit the bed at the bottom so consequently we don't have to clamber over each other in the middle of the night. This is definately somethig to take into consideration. And whilst we keep telling ourselves that putting a bed away everyday is not a problem it is different when you are actually doing it every day.
Must go time to go home but thanks for taking time to give me some valuable advice.
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Topic: First time caravanner
The layout of your new van should be that which suits you, what you actually like. I like the idea of a fixed bed as it saves having to mess around with a bed and bedding twice a day (I'm kinda lazy 
) 
A friend is one who knows all about you, and still likes you
