Quote: Originally posted by freeatlast on 03/1/2012
Hi Ulti_Mates
Have a look at the Trigano Silver range. The are expensive, even second hand, but they do hold their value exceptionally well. They are a doddle to tow, ours is 1000kg fully laden. OH is happy to tow it, even on the continent. When folded down it is under 2 metres tall, and with a full size pop-up roof there is loads of room inside. It is beautifully equipped inside with U shaped seating and just about all the mod cons you would ever need. Its quite low to the ground so getting in and out only requires a single step, however it goes on
ferries and over speed bumps fine.
We swapped our large Bailey for this, and find it far more convenient. A decent sized loo, with a shower for when we need it, a big enough kitchen for two, and a brilliant full size awning (I must change my gallery photo) which is small enough to fit in the side locker next to the spare wheel. Just the fibreglass poles go in the boot of the car for convenience. The bedding (including a memory foam topper) all rolls up together, and simply drops into the full width front locker together with all the pillows.
But the real thing is that it is no longer a chore to get out, pack and tow. It has loads of storage room, and these days everything has its place.
Its incredibly warm, being a bonded glassfibre/blue foam/ply construction, and even in the middle of winter, a tiny half kilowatt oil filled radiator on at half is enough to keep it toasty. We also have warm air heating, but not a lot of use at night due to the noise.
Ours is now 3 years old, has been used for about 120 nights, and has travelled 12,000 miles, but it still looks and feels like new.
A BIG yes to all of this, ours hasn't been taken abroad but everything elase applies. We love our Silver
------------- Harvey 15.8.1995 - 18.11.2010. Run free, sweet boy x
We have a 1993 Sprite 500/6 it is 6 berth, has loo, hot cold water, microwave, full blinds, it has gross weight of 1100kg and does all we want, ok it hasnt blown air heating, so we use a convector heater and just put a fan heater in kids room in case gets too cold. We went away last feb and were toasty warm (too hot at some pionts). Just my wife found the wet boots, wet dogs, mud etc too much in Feb (think its in her mind as shes ok in the summer when its wet) so will be going Easter. So not sure why modern vans are so heavy. Our service guy says ours is clean dry and in much better condition than lots that are 5 years old.
all i can say is the teardrop club of great britain is growing slowly but surely.
when i first got my ten year old tear twenty years ago hardly ever saw any. its becoming very popular now . i used mine behind a trike and as extra beds for the kids behind a vw van. the young and old seem tolove them . dont give the space etc of a full size van but small compact caravans are gaining a following . lobbey dosser is way ahead of the present wave of ones coming along . the trouble with many caravans is they look and feel boring . the youngsters do want abit of adventure and something to be a bit of a cult thing .
wipe your eyes theres a tear coming your way .hee hee
They will be making their first public appearance at the Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show, ExCel, London (14 - 19th Feb) http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=509 Click on the link for a chance to win tickets!
Interesting to note that the larger 3 'vans have very large toilet/shower rooms, obviously what the market research said was required but basic lightweight continental 'vans generally just have a small toilet room to allow for a fixed bed on even the smaller ones.
The 500/4 is exactly the layout we are looking for; have already looked at Bailey's Pegasus2 Rimini with this layout - so will be interesting to compare (finish, weight, price, etc.)
------------- Alan (the Kiaman) & Sylvia - re-cycled teenagers happily spending the kids inheritance!!
Yuck! Fixed beds! I just don't get the appeal of that. Fair enough an older couple on their own but for a family it's just a total waste of space! And what's with the brown? If they're trying to get younger caravanners interested they need better interiors. I'm in my late 30's so probably still young enough to be classed as a young caravanner but sorry not a fan!
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: 2012 Launch of New Compact Caravans
