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Hi ive just purchased a Vauxhall Zafira CDTI 1.9 SRI and am now looking for a used caravan.

Im a 1st timer in the caravan world and am moving onwards and upwards from camping

Any ideas what make/model etc would make a decent buy - its mainly for 2 adults and 3 1/2 child. Probably pay up to £9,000 max

Waiting in hope

Hi, you can see what is available from here  to give you an idea of what you get for your money

Cheers  Ratty

First find out the weight of van you can go to, then look round lots of dealers forecourts, because getting the right van layout for you is very important. Decide what your priorities are - separate bedroom for a young child going to bed early? or a bathroom? Fixed bed? Is the kitchen workable? Whats the storage space like? We all have different requirements and I think its important to look at loads of vans to get a feel of what is right for your family.  Plus its fun!  Remember to take pen and paper, tapemeasure is useful, and a dampmeter! 

If you do decide to buy from a dealer, bargain hard for lots of extras. See if they have a starter pack, many do. Try for an awning too, they often  have second hand ones they want rid of. Remember you're their  perfect customer, cash to spend and no rotting 20 yr old van to part exchange! Ask lots of questions, ask how things work, make them earn their money.

Happy hunting and let us know how you get on.

Quote: Originally posted by Turners999 on 19/5/2010

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Hi ive just purchased a Vauxhall Zafira CDTI 1.9 SRI and am now looking for a used caravan.

Im a 1st timer in the caravan world and am moving onwards and upwards from camping

Any ideas what make/model etc would make a decent buy - its mainly for 2 adults and 3 1/2 child. Probably pay up to £9,000 max

Waiting in hope

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Second hand you can get alot for your money at the moment and if you don't like it you will not be stuck in a massive finance agreement with a dealer and you may get a awning thrown in and dont go to big to start with max 16ft and make sure it has a stabilizer on it or a ALKO hitch

 dont get sukered in by dealers lots of bargains out there i took my laptop with me and when the dealer gave me his price i said hang on let me check something and i found the same van at another dealer on the net for cheaper and i showed him and he matched the deal £3000 of the pricef better in your pocket then there's

you won't get much of a feel for vans looking at adverts. Go to several dealers - they will work out the weights for you. Have a look round the stock & see what you like even if you don't buy from there. You can then target various adverts for van specifics. 

I'd second what Anniemacxx has said  there are sooooo many different layouts to choose from & we all like different things.  If you're looking at spending that amount of money I'd also assume you'll not want to be changing too soon so you'll need to think about what will work for you in the future when your litte one's bigger, or if you add to your family as well as what works for you now.

Before taking the plunge read as much as you can on here - we've learnt so much it's incredible!  Especially read up on what to look for in a used van (damp etc...) & don't allow yourselves to get caught up in what appears to be the perfect van until you're 100% sure it's dry and everything works as it should.  And bargain hard for those extras!

Enjoy looking - we still like to go round dealerships for a good nosey even tho we have a new van!

Have you considered a folding camper or convertible caravan.  Cheaper to tow and compatible for small cars.  Just bought Ours new which is over your price range but very close.   New 10500  six berth and a breeze to tow,  Its our first van and I did'nt want it sitting a a storage site for most of the year costing me at least 300 plus with insurance on top before I took it out on the road.

Have a look and see what you think, it costs nothing to look

2010 Platinum Crusader -  if you do buy it dont get the skirts - you don't need them especially if you get an awning at some stage

Paul

There is one very important point only mentioned above once.

Do you have somewhere to keep it as storage will cost you quite a lot of money?

Don't be persuaded that caravanning is cheap. It isn't!

You don't say how many of you there are in the family. This would help in giving you a guide.

Quote: Originally posted by johnks on 19/5/2010

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There is one very important point only mentioned above once.

Do you have somewhere to keep it as storage will cost you quite a lot of money?

Don't be persuaded that caravanning is cheap. It isn't!

You don't say how many of you there are in the family. This would help in giving you a guide.

 

John

 

Thanks for the reply. I did mention at the start that is was for 2 adults and my 3 1/2 yr old daughter. Hope this gives a better indication for a caravan.

 

Cheers

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