Has any retired couple on the forum got an Adria caravan and if so which one have you got and what's good about it (and what is bad).
I've seen one and it looked really nice but wondered which one would be best for us as we are now retiring at 65 and fancy looking into it further so some starter points would be very helpful.
I tow with a Volvo S40 2ltr Diesel SE so need to keep within weight restraints. We have the 2 tow sockets and a Witter towbar with 75Kg weight limit.
I'm not retired (unfortunately!) but we did have an Adria caravan (lots of other people have too) as our first caravan. They are very good vans but it depends on what you want. What is the model of the Adria you've seen? I notice you have a Fleetwood caravan, they were teamed up with Adria before going bust.
Hope you don't mind me asking, but why do you want to hear from retired people who have Adrias?
Being older:
I'm still working but finish at the end of August officially but will be free from about the 2nd.
It's just that being older has other restrictions such as health issues (ie bad back, Diabetes, heart etc ), handling the van, fitting awnings etc. etc.. Things that wouldn't bother you at a much younger age.
Model:
I didn't note the model we looked at as we were just looking around in general and being nosey at several at the local dealers and the Adria seemed to stand out as most suitable for us as an older couple, but for what reasons I don't know, you know when you get a feeling about something and it all felt right.
Adria/Fleetwood connection:
I did know about the Fleetwood/Adria connection but did Adria make models for Fleetwood? If so which ones are they?
We've not actually been away in our Fleetwood yet but we already like it a lot, just being in it at the storage place (at a friends place)at weekends and it's rather nice, they keep horses so we just sit there drinking tea and coffee and watching the horses (they have 18 of them). We've been doing things to the van in readiness for a hol and have towed it about to get the feel of it as I used to tow years ago I didn't take long to get back into it.
Was semi-retired, but now back at work, so does that count?
We have the smallest Adria Altea, which suits us down to the ground.
Comfy bed that is easy to make up.
Good kitchen area.
Low weight, so easy to move around.
Excellent fittings and equipment.
Only let down is the size of the toilet compartment. No way could we use it as a shower, but there are always site facilities.
Why are you wanting to change your Fleetwood if you haven't used it yet? I would not think of changing until you've used it for a few trips away. You need to get a feel for it and the layout to see whether it works for you and then if you decide you need a different layout you'll know what you want from a caravan.
Not retired and have the Adria Altea 542DK (6 Berth) and the quality is great. Even with it being a good size it is easy to move around at only 1300kg fully loaded. Because it has a long A-Frame it also makes it bit more stable to tow (so I've heard, not having towed any other make).
The only bug bare I have with the Adrias and I don't think they are alone in this, is that there are no easy access points for the the front steadies so you need to kneel on the floor to see the bit for the lowering bar (not sure what its actually called) goes into.
Had ours 3 years and with having 2 young boys it still looks as good as new.
Cheers
Richard
------------- If you Don't ask, you Don't get..............
Easter - Alton Towers
May - Aveniemore
Summer - South West London (theme parks all Around)
September - Not Sure
October - Blackpool (Yet more Theme parks and attractions
Life is a Roller coaster and we will be on loads this year...
We aren't retired either but we havethe Adria Altea 432 which has a fixed so you don't need to mess about with keep making beds up and the double dinette in front would be ideal for a couple.
------------- 2013
March: Ferry Meadows
April: North Morte, North Devon
May: Lyndon Top, Rutland
May: Top Lodge.
June: Fairy's lodge
July: La Croix Du Vieux Pont
August: West Beeston,
Regarding the difficult access to the steadies I saw a picture of someone with a folding camper who had a similar problem. He had attached a piece of pipe over the steady 'stud' so that it extended closer to the front of the underside, then you just put your wheel brace in it to lower the steadies. Hope I've explained that ok.
Thanks everyone, you notes are much appreciated.
I've heard somewhere about the pipes on the steadies and that sounds interesting and worth further enquiries. Also the idea of fixed bed sounds great.
Thanks to everyone, retired or not, your notes are most helpful.
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Topic: What would be the best for us?
