Hello.I would welcome any thoughts from experienced caravaners on what would be a good choice for my first van,having only a small budget.My priorities are ,ease of towing (ford focus 1.8 90HP diesel estate).Sleep mostly just me.Have a shower/toilet,and I like the sound of blown air heating as i'm planning on using it all year round.Apart from that,small is beautiful!
I did ask some questions last year about a cotswold windrush112,and the response I had was positive for buying a van in this price range,but I decided that the time wasn't right to buy.But now it is! The thing is ,there aren't many of them around and I need to widen my search.Suggestions very welcome! Mark.
I reckon you will be looking for an ebay bargain at that price, buy asap as prices will rising in a couple of months. The important thing on an older caravan is to check for leaks, make sure there are no damp patches inside.
------------- Sell my camper? I'd rather eat school semolina!
Have a good luck around the dealers and see what is about and what you fancy.....then look on ebay and local ads to see if the van you like is cheaper....
We just got rid of our 2 berth Avondale Kestrel which had everything you wanted...it was a brill van (1992)....we bought a bigger van 4 berth 1998 model.
just got rid of an Elddis Hurricane GTX which ticks all the boxes that you have. It did have damp in it but I found a vast difference buy asking around over the prices for repairs .... so keep your eyes open....I was up at 3A's caravans in Camarthen, they had loads in stock of second hand I see your in S.Wales maybe try them out don't know what any of the prices are like. I also know that there is a caravan supplies/servicing/parts place on Cardiff Road Treforrest nr Pontypridd maybe a chat there might be helpful....all the best from a Welshman in Exile...
that be Pontypridd caravans and camping its great there for supplies n stuff we are regulars :) im not sure if they still do reapirs? the reapir shop is still there and theres often caravans out on the forecourt so maybe they do :)
------------- The futures bright the futures podding!!!!
Thank's for the suggestions.I did buy a damp meter last year after asking the usual questions from a newcomer looking to but his 1st second hand van.I learnt a lot in what to look for,thanks to the replies I had on this forum. Now I just have to shorlist a few suitable vans.As I said in my question.I'm looking at the smaller vans in the 2 berth range.Mark.
We have a 1991 Bailey Pagent Magenta which weighs about 890Kg unladen so should be fine with your car. We were given ours but I guess this would be in your price range. It is a nice little caravan for 2 people. We looked at a fair few caravans before being lucky enought to get ours. I'd echo the advice about the damp meter but also go and have a look at a few different kind of layouts and have a think about what would suit you.
1990 avondale Sandmartin or Mayfly. Great 2 berth vans, bags of room inside. Should be able to pick one up for well under a grand. My sandmartin was only £700 about a year ago.
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