Hi all i have been pondering for a few years now to buy a tourer but i think this year i will go for it so here is my plan,
Ideally i want a 4 berth tourer with awning around 5-7 years old(i am new so i wouldnt know what model or make to get) i have 2 children 10 and 11 and we would be looking to site our caravan for 80% of the time on one site if possible around the lake district(bowness,pooley bridge.....) it dosnt have to have live bands,massive clubhouses etc....just enough to get by,small shop,bar,some area to play footy etc...
Any comments as to caravans for sale or recommended sites to suit our needs would be great.
For your caravan, go and look at local caravan dealers to get ideas of usable space and layouts, once you have some idea of what you want then look on Ebay, preloved, google for caravans for sale and you'll get plenty of places to look online, buy a damp meter, go and look at plenty and walk away if there is damp that you don't want to spend time repairing etc.
Take a look here for all kinds of layouts http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/caravans.html to help you decide on what suits you and your family. It will also give you an idea of the names and makes you need to find. Then take a look on ebay for those caravans to see the pictures. Go to as many dealers as you can to see them in the flesh.
Once you've narrowed down what ones will suit go here http://www.whattowcar.com/ to make sure your car can tow the 'van of choice. I agree with op sometimes just googling "caravans for sale" will throw the odd 'van up :)
And most importantly invest in a damp meter and don't be afraid to use it. I'd even reccommend finding a list of mobile servicers (if you buy privately) and paying one to look over your chosen 'van :)
Can't help with the Van but have a look at Park Cliffe for siting the van - not the cheapest out there but I think it's got exactly what you are looking for and where you are looking for. Great wardens - very friendly and helpful, run a great site
As you are entirely new to caravanning (we all were once!), firstly, I think that all modern vans less than 10 years old will look good. Secondly, you have not had a chance to establish your own personal needs and wants; which, after a few trips, and seen many vans / equipment actually on site, the details of which will surprise you.
Good advice re damp meters above. So, subject to getting one of these, might I suggest that, in order to possibly avoid getting the wrong van for you at a significant cost, what we did was buy a good, relatively cheap van and learn from there.
Just to illustrate my suggestion above, I'll tell you a true story about some friends of ours with no experience of caravanning, who saw our little van and liked the idea of visits it had made possible for us.
They promptly take themselves to the Caravan Show in Manchester, buy a new. all singing, all dancing van (fixed bed, the works!) Cost £19,000.
Found the noseweight was too much for their car. Went out and bought new 4x4. Cost £25,000.
Thought that more spacxe would be nice, so went out and bought large awning. Cost £1500.
Found awning too much for them and found they didn't like the setting / packing away up part of caravanning.
The van is now green having not moved from their garden for 2 years! Now complains every time it costs £100 to fill the 4x4 with diesel.
Moral: new to caravanning, then take it slowly and keep your mistakes cheap!
With regards layout I prefer what I think they call the double dinnette layout.
We've just gone from a 1996 Swift Challenger 440 with a double at the front and a rear seating area that converts to two bunks at the rear to a 2008 Bailey Ranger 500/5 which has the double at the front but a double seat setup at the back which converts to a double at the back with a bunk above.
The main benefit I found with both caravans I mentioned is you have two useable areas for children who can get bored easy, you can sit at the front whilst they have their own space and table at the back.
I have seen fixed bunks at the back but for me that's a waste with young children.
Rob
------------- I'm not as old as my [fake user] name suggests.
We decided to go for a six berth caravan even though there are only 4 of us. We have seating at the front which makes into our double bed. Then fixed bunks at the back. This saves time getting the kids to bed. Then in the middle, we have a side dinette with two seats which is great when kids wake up before us, they have somewhere to sit and draw or play games without disturbing us too much.
The newer versions of this van has a complete room at the back with bunks and seats and table complete with door to seperate the area which would be a dream but out of our reach for now.
With the ages of your children try out the bunks yourself, some of them are not that suitable as the kids get in to their teens in terms of size , sometimes there is also a max weight.
Thanks all for you information,really appreciated i will take on board what you have told me re the van itself,i guess its time to start looking,thanks.
Hello and welcome to UKCC, we made the mistake of buying a 6 berth back bunks with a 12 year old he out grew them very quickly and didnt like the restriction in width,,,they are quite narrow in some vans. we changed to a fixed bed so have two huge beds now, the front seating and the fixed bed, go round trying them all out at dealers as has been said above, dont be afraid to lay down and actually try it like you were using it, good luck with your search, let us know how you get on.
------------- wishing everyone,,,,what you would wish for yourselves x
Quote: Originally posted by cat69 on 24/6/2010Thanks all for you information,really appreciated i will take on board what you have told me re the van itself,i guess its time to start looking,thanks.
Not sure where you are in the Northwest but my next door neighbour has a 2004 Bailey Ranger 500/5 in excellent condition and has just been serviced by our local Bailey agent and came back with a glowing report it also has a full awning , porch awning , 40 litre aquaroll , wastemaster , alko stabiliser , alko hitchlock ,wheelclamp all included in sale
price £5750
p.s Forgot to add it also has two new tyres fitted and has a Alko spare wheel carrier fitted which is an extra on this van
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: New member,looking to buy
