We looked at countless vans when we bought our first one last Autumn - Ebay was useful as you get to look at tons and tons - and you can get old, but good vans for £500. We looked at a lovely little 1980s van for £500, 2 berth, seemed dry, if you don't expect all the mod cons then you're fine! It even had a little foot pump to get the water out of the tap, and an old gas lamp!! But - it had been converted to electric and been re-upholstered.
Old shape vans - the little roundy shape - go for well under £1000. They can also be very light - we have a 1989 Eddis 4 berth and although it would be too heavy for you it is very light - MTPLM barely reaches the 1000 mark! It's also only 14 foot long which is handy for storage! We use throws and made new curtains, it's easy to spruce up an old van and it's fun too!
Don't give up, try to buy dry - we didn't, unfortunately, but even so, the van'll last a couple of years and if we like it (we do!) we'll splash out and get something swisher!
Mozann, Going to have a nose around the towing section today, see what I can find out.Good idea about looking around the dealers, Kids only 10 and 12, so should be ok on bunks.
Skatty, I can see the problem I might have using a van , especially when they see my children.As for converting it into a camper, I will still need it as a van. But I did consider building a campervan last year using a LDV 400.Even got 2 books on the subject,-Haynes, Build your own motor home, and a book called ‘Travel Vans’(both hidden under my mattress)
Grampian, got my feelers out, I live near the ‘Black country’ and every other driveway seems to have a caravan on it.Got a mate who bought a used caravan about 3 years ago, parked it under a tree at the back of his house and never used it.Gone green now though, too big for me anyway.
Edward, Was looking at getting a Scenic 1.6, my brothers mate uses his to tow a caravan.I’ll find out what caravan it is.My sister offered to give me her folding camper some time ago, not sure if she still has it but I’ve got my heart set on a caravan .Will consider yours if the other 2 options have been exhausted.As for the RSPCC, I will, of course, keep half a dozen head gaskets in the boot.
Tigerseye, Good to see that someone else has done it.Just want to give it a try, if we enjoy it we’ll upgrade the car/van/caravan.
I wouldn't recommend a folding camper for you. If, like me, your knees are no good you'll spend most of the vacation recovering just in time to pack it up again.
They are great for towing and storing, but hard work to erect. Mine lasted 6 months before I realised that I couldn't cope with it.
Quote: Originally posted by edward452 on 21/6/2008
"The car we have at the moment is a 1.4 and the Mrs doesn't want anything bigger than a 1.6"
Trogg,
You can not safely tow a caravan with a car of that size and someone will report you to the RSPCCars!
disagree mate as long as you are within 85% of kerbweight you will bo kay and you load the van safely. I tow with an almera 1.5 and have no probs (van is about 950kg in running trim) goes up beattock okay, coped with some of the climbs in scotland with a blizzard and 30mph headwind, okay you have to use the gearbox, even did a hill start in a 1 in 10. no nasty clutch smells or gearbox noises.
caz on here used to tow her freedom with a honda jazz 1.4 so it is do-able
Tigerseye, Good to see that someone else has done it.Just want to give it a try, if we enjoy it we’ll upgrade the car/van/caravan.
We bought a 1981 CI Sprite Alpine 'van for £250 a couple of years ago. Nice & light to tow, it had had damp in one place but had been resealed and we didn't ever have any leaks. It was very 'brown' inside, being an 80's van, pale tan walls, fluffy brown carpet! The cushions and curtains had been recovered. Had a heater, electric, hob & grill, fridge, bags of storage and it was great. We're selling her now as we've decided to carry on with bigger tents and I have to pay for storage otherwise we'd have kept her. Definitly go with an old 'van at first!
------------- Angie ~~
~ If you see someone without a smile give them one of yours ~
Tigerseye, Good to see that someone else has done it.Just want to give it a try, if we enjoy it we’ll upgrade the car/van/caravan.
We bought a 1981 CI Sprite Alpine 'van for £250 a couple of years ago. Nice & light to tow, it had had damp in one place but had been resealed and we didn't ever have any leaks. It was very 'brown' inside, being an 80's van, pale tan walls, fluffy brown carpet! The cushions and curtains had been recovered. Had a heater, electric, hob & grill, fridge, bags of storage and it was great. We're selling her now as we've decided to carry on with bigger tents and I have to pay for storage otherwise we'd have kept her. Definitly go with an old 'van at first!
If you're selling your van, the two of you should hook up and broker a deal!
I think little oldie vans are great! One up from a tent, for me - I have back and joint problems so it's much much easier than sleeping on the floor!!!
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: A cheap caravan for first timers
Kids only 10 and 12, so should be ok on bunks.
As for converting it into a camper, I will still need it as a van. But I did consider building a campervan last year using a LDV 400.Even got 2 books on the subject,-Haynes, Build your own motor home, and a book called ‘Travel Vans’(both hidden under my mattress) 
As for the RSPCC, I will, of course, keep half a dozen head gaskets in the boot.
