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Hi,
Contemplating getting a caravan. The choice is overwhelming and no idea as to which are the better makes and models. Is there a Parkers type guide to caravans as difficult to determine what is cheap and expensive. We have 4 young children so ideally want double bunks ie 4 beds which can be separated from main living area. Wouldn't really want to go much over 6k. Any pointers for a novice would be gratefully received?
Hi, my Bailey Ranger 550/6 had a double bed at the front (which if you dont convert can be used as 2 singles) then along the back wall you have two fixed bunks, at the side the small dinette area converts to anther two bunks. so giving you the 4 bunks.
We bought it last year, 2005 model and was in your budget.
We love it!
------------- Enjoying caravanning, realising what an expensive hobby it is and spending the family’s inheritance before they can get their hands on it!
Practical caravan mag usually have all the different vans and layouts, we have Lunar Quasar 615-6 which has 4 beds at the rear with a solid sliding partition between there and main area of van. Good seperate shower and toilet area too, and best of all is the massive worktop in kitchen for feeding the 5000! Not sure if you'll get one for 6k though.
Sounds like you want a double dinnette layout. We have the two fixed bunks at the back with a side dinette but the side bunks are quite small (we don't use ours as beds). If you look at the caravan finder website you can search by layout which we found very useful.
http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/caravans.html as will ebay for all the photo's. I wouldn't recommend Avondale as they have gone bust so parts might be harder to find but we had an Avondale Leda Malvern which was a 6 berth. It had a front seating area which converted to a small double bed and at the other end were the 2 long bench seats which made up into bunks with a sliding door to close this area off. You could leave the bunks made up if you wanted to. A dealer will charge you more for a 'van than a private seller will but with a dealer you will get a warrenty.
We had an Abbey Aventura 330 6 berth the back bunks were really wide compared to other models we looked at, and the garage at the back was really useful when the bunks were folded up, Liked the qualith of the Abbey only sold as wanted a fixed bed and only have one son, otherwise would have held on to her, good luck with your search.
------------- wishing everyone,,,,what you would wish for yourselves x
There's a Bailey Ranger (can't remember which one) which has 3 bunks at the back and a side dinette next to it which I think converts to a single. If I recall, it was £10k new so you might find a second-hand one within your budget.
My Geist has 2 bunks at the back and a side dinette next to it which converts to a bed AND I believe there is an option to get an extra bunk above the side bed (all seperated from the front of the van with a folding door).
It's outside your budget and there aren't many of them around but other continental vans may have this (try Adria).
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
There's a Bailey Ranger (can't remember which one) which has 3 bunks at the back and a side dinette next to it which I think converts to a single. If I recall, it was £10k new so you might find a second-hand one within your budget.
My Geist has 2 bunks at the back and a side dinette next to it which converts to a bed AND I believe there is an option to get an extra bunk above the side bed (all seperated from the front of the van with a folding door).
It's outside your budget and there aren't many of them around but other continental vans may have this (try Adria).
I maybe wrong but I think you are referring to the Bailey Ranger 540/6, I am sure that is the one with 3 bunks at the back.
We have the Bailey Ranger 550/6 which has a set of bunk beds at the back, a side dinette which converts into a set of bunks, and the front converts into a double or could be left as two singles.
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