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Subject Topic: Finding that first van!
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12/8/2009 at 12:40pm
 Location: Livingston Scotland
 Outfit: Hartford XL 2008 + Lunar Zenith 5 2006
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I've learned (learnt!!?!) alot over these past few weeks in regards to what involved in this caravan lark, options, gotchas and that the model I'm after is like gold dust!

Everyday I'll trawl caravanfinder.co.uk, gumtree, autotrader and the likes. Caravanfinder is really useful in terms of searching for layout. Trips to dealers up here in Scotland, Knowepark, Duncans (Duncans had no second hand stock!).

I'm after a double dinette layout as I'm not convinced fixed bunks are the way to go. 5 berth, with end fold down bunk. Kid's grow, and the bunks seem to have limited lifespan IMHO. Our budget is £8000, I'd hope to get an awning and extras for that budget too.  As new a van as possible for that criteria. 

The Ranger 500 5 sticks out as being a front runner, these go like hot cakes, obviously a good van. I would like the extras on a GT60 of the same size, but these just don't come up. I haven't seen one on the market, privately or trade.

Is this a bad time of year, or is this all normal! Patience must be a virtue in the game?!

Any other golden nuggets of caravan finding are more than welcome!

Thanks all, this site is soooo helpful!

David

 



12/8/2009 at 4:06pm
 Location: Manchester
 Outfit: Vango Inspire 600
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Have you tried ebay?  Lots of people sell privately on there & often include everything you need to get started like awning, waste master, aqua roll etc...  Buying from ebay is no different to any other private sale.  You just need ot go & view before bidding.  Make sure you take a damp meter with you!

Good luck in your search.



-------------
Vanessa
x



12/8/2009 at 6:02pm
 Location: Livingston Scotland
 Outfit: Hartford XL 2008 + Lunar Zenith 5 2006
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Will bare that in mind. I never thought of actually going to see the thing before bidding! LOL! Never fancied bidding on a van I haven't looked at! Doh!


12/8/2009 at 6:40pm
 Location: Wirral
 Outfit: Rimor New Polaris 530-6 & Volvo V70
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The Bailey GT60 range has only come out this year as a special offer for, I think, their 60th anniversary. I could be wrong on the reason but you won't find a secondhand GT60 for your budget.

You may be better waiting a few weeks until the end of the season if you can, when there is less demand for vans.

Good luck in your search!



12/8/2009 at 7:02pm
 Location: Livingston Scotland
 Outfit: Hartford XL 2008 + Lunar Zenith 5 2006
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Ahh, that makes sense then Nans.

Anybody know anything about Lunar Freelanders? These aren't listed on whattowcar.com for matching.

Thanks.



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12/8/2009 at 8:02pm
 Location: West Scotland
 Outfit: Fleetwood Garland and Almera
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dude, finding your van is a matter of time, luck and skill. it took me 6 months to find mine as i wanted someting under 1000kg and have no damp. i found her and when you get yours it will just feel right. you will sit down and say i'm at home

all the best



-------------
My E-mail

knockhill marshal and proud


12/8/2009 at 8:05pm
 Location: Halifax West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Ford C-Max Sprite Musketeer 1990
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took us 12 months to find our van but our budget was a lot less than yours so we were limited in choice. Love the van ive got now though she was well worth the 12 month hunt. have tried to put pics on my profile but it tells me to resize them - job for hubby lol.

Good luck hope you find one soon. We looked at dealers and ebay, caravanfinder, preloved etc but ended up going back to the first dealers we went to!

Monica


12/8/2009 at 8:15pm
 Location: leeds
 Outfit: crusader tempest 1.4 diesel fiesta
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heres 2 on ebay right now just type itm number in search and they will come up..

190327187504

290337997026

1 up the country 1 down so hope this helps

1 has all extras didnt read other

 



12/8/2009 at 9:44pm
 Location: Livingston Scotland
 Outfit: Hartford XL 2008 + Lunar Zenith 5 2006
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Thanks Simon. Were now having the double dinette v's fixed bunk debate!! 17 

The bunks in the ranger 540/6 seem to be 6 foot long which would be plenty enough for our short stuff family! There's loads of those about. Ohhh the merry go round! 17 All part of the fun!

Thanks for the help folks.

Davie



12/8/2009 at 11:40pm
 Location: Manchester
 Outfit: Vango Inspire 600
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We love the double dinette layout - gives the kids their own area to sit & draw/color etc...

-------------
Vanessa
x



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13/8/2009 at 8:32am
 Location: Yeadon Leeds!
 Outfit: Swift Challenger & Defender 110SW
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Quote: Originally posted by adsheadv on 12/8/2009
We love the double dinette layout - gives the kids their own area to sit & draw/color etc...


exactly why we got one!!

weekends, if its fine and all are outside, we leave the bunks up


13/8/2009 at 3:17pm
 Location: Livingston Scotland
 Outfit: Hartford XL 2008 + Lunar Zenith 5 2006
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The single side dinette of the 540/6 / 550/6 provides this for us I would think. It's all sooo difficult. Stuck between the 500/5 and the above! 


13/8/2009 at 3:30pm
 Location: Chippenham
 Outfit: Bailey Pageant Cabriolet and tents
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arkaig

We have a fixed bunk (extremely strong / sturdy) Geist Aktiv 495 in the free ads on this site and appears to be at the right price etc.. it comes with full Ventura Atlantic Verde awning (made by Isabella) two bedroom extensions, powrtouch mover and suncamp 390 porch awning. Its only been on the road for 10 months and was new when we bought it.

The second dinette is in the childrens area and provides them with space and privacy

Check out my profile pictures

Let me know if you are interested

Andy 



13/8/2009 at 4:15pm
 Location: Livingston Scotland
 Outfit: Hartford XL 2008 + Lunar Zenith 5 2006
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I'll take a wee look tonight Andy. I'll need to check out the towing wieghts etc...

Looks good on first impression though!


Cheers


Davie



13/8/2009 at 7:56pm
 Location: Livingston Scotland
 Outfit: Hartford XL 2008 + Lunar Zenith 5 2006
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Hi Andy,

Had a wee look mate. Looks good to me. I'll send you a mail via your ad. ;-)

Post here if you don't get it.

Davie




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