Apologies for the number of similar threads I am posting however I really value everyones expert opinion and am terrified of making the wrong purchase will my hard earned cash.
I am going to view a Fleetwood Garland 185 caravan tomorrow. It's a 1994 model. Here are the pics and spec...
Description:
very good condition, year 1994
working gas, shower, cooker, oven
new carpet
22ft long
twin axle
awning
hook up cable
has to be collected
with extras
Price: £1500
I previously owned a 2003 Lunar Zenith 6 but have decided to buy an older cheaper van which will do us for the next couple of years while finances are tight and the kids young.
What does everyone think? Is it good value for money?
Its very difficult to give an honest opinion based just on information posted up on an internet forum, you really need to see a caravan 'in the flesh' and be able to give it a good check over with a damp meter, check all systems out for any faults or severe wear and tear.
It does look good value for the amount of caravan you get for your money, but rather than regret your purchase a few weeks or months down the line, it may pay you to invest in a proffesional report by an approved mobile engineer before you part with your hard earned cash. Also make sure that its a good match for your tow veichle as its obviously going to be a much heavier caravan that your lightweight Zenith was, and twin axel caravans are more difficult to manouver by hand than a single axel model if you need to manhandle it into a storage space at anytime.
good luck anyway, and I hope you soon find the right caravan for your needs,
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
According to my research the Miro on the Fleetwood is 1026 kg and the Zenith was 990 kg so not a huge difference? My tow car is a BE Sharan 1.9 TDI, 90 NHL.
Fleetwoods (of that era at least) are very good 'vans. I've looked round a few & have always admired the quality of the workmanship.
Just do the usual checks for damp (I think I've posted them on one of your threads before) on all internal panels & have a really good look round.
They certainly were a good, high-end 'van in their day.
Photos of caravans are always difficult to gauge the actual state. I've lost count of the times I've seen photos which looked very promising only to get there & find a complete rot-box!
For some reason, caravans seem to be the worst offenders for this misleading effect.
Also, it's best to go by MTPLM or MGW (maximum gross weight, now what was wrong with that, simple 3 word phrase?) rather than MIRO, for towing figures.
When trying to gauge the ratio of your outfit the MIRO is largely of no importance.
My wife has just looked at the pics and says the front seating area looks awful short! Try as I might I can't find the dimensions of the seating areas online to disprove her!
Looks longer on the door side than the other side.
Or is it just an optical illusion???
The sofa on the door side looks long enough. It's not like you're meant to live in it anyway, it's just a base, from which to explore a new area of the country
Anyway, it's a twin axle, I'm sure it'll have plenty of room.
I had a 1997 Fleetwood Garland 148 until last October. It was a lovely van - very well made and comfortable. Mine was only a 2 berth so can't comment on the layout. As others have said, as long as it is a good match for your towing vehicle and has no damp, I think you might be happy with it. I only changed mine because I wanted a 5 berth - otherwise I would have kept it.
My friend has this model of van and although I can give no technical information whatsoever (as you can see I've wandered in for a nosey from the other side!!!!) however I've been away with her and our kids for the past four years and it is a really nice van, very light and airy at the front, which converts into a large bed that ends up accomdating her, me and her 5 year old in the middle! (I'm 5'7" with enough leg room)
At the other end, the double seats convert into a large single which accomodates 'top and tailing' her 2 girls and my girl (aged 7-10) and a single bunk can be made up above which my 15 year old sleeps in above!!!
I'm not sure of its age, but it keeps plodding on, yeah a couple of things have packed up on it but with a van full of rowdy kids and not wanting to throw money at it she's happy with its basic structure which is sound and no damp.
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: Fleetwood Garland 185 - Should I buy?
