Hi, I have snuck over here from the tent side (!) to ask some advice on behalf of my folks.
My Mum has not long retired, and my Dad is hoping to soon. He is quite keen on getting a caravan for this reason, and is trying to convince my Mum that a lot has changed since they last went about 30 years ago!
They will mostly be going on their own, but will sometimes have their 5 year old Grandson with them.
Dad drives a Freelander, so guess weight not too much of a problem?
So, basically I'm just after everyone's opinions on what the best caravans are for qaulity and accessories(they have heard German makes are good), what size should they go for and suggestions of models etc.
I think they're very much in the second hand market, though price for the right one isn't too much of an issue.
Looking forward to your replies, thanks :-)
------------- August 2012 Nicholaston Farm, The Gower
Take them to your nearest dealer and let them explore the range. Suggest they look at a 4 berth as this gives you more room when just the two of them plus the extra beds for grandchildren and other visitors. Its not so much a hobby more a way of life that is highly enjoyable.
So many caravans out there.....just try and get it right first time !!!
It can be a bit costly if you get the lay out wrong first time ( I know) so get them out there and look and look and look, and see what layout they prefer, saves a lot of pain in the long run.
I tow with a freelander and it's a nice tow car, obviously it does have its limits, so make sure they stay in the legal boundaries of the car.
And once they get a caravan they'll love it :)
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
hi we have a bailey 500/5 at a total of 1272 kgs MTPLM.our grandchild has a full size bed at the rear and it can be shut off at night with a folding door.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Get them to look at caravanfinder.com. It will give them a good idea of what they might like. And, go as many caravan dealers as they can to get a really good feel. 2 berths are good but you have to make the bed up every night, we had o e and had our grandchildren in an inner tent in the awning but a 4 berth is probably more practical
As weight not so much of an issue, I would think the extra room of a 4 berth would be appreciated even when they don't have grand kids with them. Also have a look at Practical Caravan magazine as it has a feature with all different layouts andtells you which makes/models have a particular lay out. Who knows perhaps you'll be tempted to move over yourself :)
We had a small caravan (given to us from my parents) 30+ years ago got rid of it as it was hard work with 2 children and a dog in bad weather, decided to try again 10 years ago and its the best thing we have ever done we have a twin dinner so tend to leave the back as a bed so there's nothing to do if we have been out all day but can return it to seats if we have guests. Cant believe how different thing are now and how much easier, electric lights (not gas) and just turn the tap and theres hot and cold water and heat on those cold nights like I said its the best thing we have done. Dont get me wrong we did have some good laughs, but it is so much easier now and we are getting older
I notice that you are in Swindon so have they looked at Swindon Caravans? The reason for asking is that they hire a range of 4 berth vans so might be worth them picking one they like and trying it for a week? I wish we had done this as we brought our 1st van last year thinking it would suit us and ended up changing after 6 months to the one we now have (which suits us much better). Here is their website: http://www.swindoncaravans.com/hiring.html
Thank you all so much for your replies, they've been really useful, and I've passed them on to my Dad (as well as the address for this site to save me being a go-between!).
Funny you should say about Swindon Caravans dazzer, they told me they went there yesterday and were amazed at how many were there! More than they could see round properly.in an afternoon.
It's certainly given them a lot to think about, who knows, maybe my Dad will be on here as much as I am!
Not sure about joining all you with 'vans at the mo, loving our tents too much!
Cheers everyone
------------- August 2012 Nicholaston Farm, The Gower
Come over to the tin tenters......we did and are still in our thirties Best thing we ever did and we now go away a lot more and much easier with young children.....if you miss the tent just buy a big awning
We brought our last van through Oxford Caravans who are the same company as Swindon / Reading. They seem good and the one thing I did like is they give 12 months standard warranty on all used vans which you can upgrade to 3 yrs for around £200. As this also covers water ingress till the van is 10yrs old I think it is worth the money and a lot cheaper than other after market warranties. We had to use this last week to get our heating fixed and they had it in, repaired and tested and back to us within 2 days. Some other dealers in Berkshire only offer their own 6 month warranties (the one above is issued by MB&G) which I have found sadley lacking!
Tell them to take their time, visit lots of dealers , maybe visit the big shows, and chat to owners as much as you can, choosing is part of the fun.
Its hard work, but really great , we're back from our first weekend away in our new little second hand van, the electrics blew and we had to buy a tailgate board for the journey home, still we cant wait to go away again..........
jesse
------------- I'm a Fan of most things mobile, including the parents
Lol dazzer, seeing some of the 'vans out there it is quite tempting, but I've had to justify all the stuff to my OH for camping, I think he'd lose the will to live if I turned round and asked for a caravan now!
Great advice on the warranties though, will mention to them.
Thanks Jessegee, will pass this on to them too, hope your's doesn't cost too much to fix!
------------- August 2012 Nicholaston Farm, The Gower
EBay the camping stuff and the rest you'll use in your 'van! Also tell your oh it is better value for money because you can go away right through the year if you want.
There's 2 of us with a 2 berth. The 2 front seats are very long and usable as singles and when made up the bed is huge. We have a lovely big dressing/bathroom. When the kids still came with us we had a double diner (5 berth) which was fab but the bathroom was small and there was no designated dressing area.
We started off as vanners, became tenters, then vanners, then tenters. Vanners or nothing now for us, def not another tent
------------- Are you sure you've read the instructions?
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Topic: Suggestions for my parents
Best thing we ever did and we now go away a lot more and much easier with young children.....if you miss the tent just buy a big awning
