Does a bit of damp behind the front window matter that much? It`s a bit soft in just one place without rigirous inspection), but no damp at all in the van. I expect (hope) to get 5 years out of it . . . But I liked that 4 berth Monza! Narrow too.
------------- Peripheral people don`t have as much excitement but they sure live longer
Does your local supermarkets have ads boards? There or on ebay you may be able to find someone giving up caravanning so can get all the basic equipment you'll need included for a fraction of the new cost.
Also car boot sales can be good for getting the basics but beware as they are also frequented by those where the ownership of item for sale is questionable ie stolen(or in the case of electrical equipment may be dangerous).
Good luck, when we got our first van 5 years ago we just missed out on a gorgeous wee 4 berth Monza, bone dry, with everything thrown in including the pots and plates for £850. So just keep your eyes open, and look at lots before deciding on what layout(s) suit you best.
If an awning is included, don't make allowance for it in the price you pay unless you can examine it erected. And maybe a porch awning would be better than a full awning if you're only going to be away for a couple of days each time (also easier to dry if you have to pack it away wet).
In your original post you say that putting up tent takes too much time but imo caravans take up at least as much time if not more. Once my tent is packed away its safe till I need it next. The caravan however always needs jobs doing, keeping outside clean, keeping eye on tyre decay etc. On site I find putting up a awning more difficult than a tent. It is also expensive, service £150, new toilet (thats me being fussy) and toilet fluids, new leisure battery £80 caravan insurance, increased fuel consumption and gas bottles are expensive.
Also have you somewhere to store it? Not trying to be negative but owning a caravan especially an old one (like mine) can be time consuming and expensive.
This is only my experience good luck whatever you decide.
That's a good post .... and my thinking is that an old caravan at a price under £1,000 is false economy.
As I said earlier, Folding Campers can be had for that money and you will get a much newer one. easy to store in the garage, cheap to insure.
One massive point in a Campers favour is that, although quite luxurious compared to a tent, it is treated as a tent by all campsites ..... where a CL or CS is full if it has 5 caravans there ....... it's empty for a tent as they can accomodate as many tents as they like - and Folding Campers are welcomed into the CC. This is a great bonus that you can get in at any site at any time - unlike a caravan.
hi.. i would also stay with the tent. having bought our first caravan this year we find it very relaxing in-fact a bit to comfy if its raining you tend to just chill out in the caravan all day and sort of do nothing because its easy to do so.....but in a tent we would be out and about after breakfast and do a lot more with our day. you cant beat the smell of fresh cut grass filling the nostril's when your drifting of to sleep. there are down side's to camping but tenting holiday's to me are all ways a lot more memorable than caravanning holiday's
Quote: Originally posted by free-range-children on 16/6/2012
Hi.
Personally I would stick with the tent.
In your original post you say that putting up tent takes too much time but imo caravans take up at least as much time if not more. Once my tent is packed away its safe till I need it next. The caravan however always needs jobs doing, keeping outside clean, keeping eye on tyre decay etc. On site I find putting up a awning more difficult than a tent. It is also expensive, service £150, new toilet (thats me being fussy) and toilet fluids, new leisure battery £80 caravan insurance, increased fuel consumption and gas bottles are expensive.
Also have you somewhere to store it? Not trying to be negative but owning a caravan especially an old one (like mine) can be time consuming and expensive.
This is only my experience good luck whatever you decide.
Personally I would go with the caravan. Mine cost just over £400 off ebay, I ebay'ed the awning that came with it for £80, I fitted 2 new tyres £80/the pair(5 yr life)chassis service(every 2yrs)£70, new lights & hitch fitted diy, £40. Thats it. If I get 5yrs & scrap it, it will have been worth it.
This is only my experience, good luck whatever you decide.
There are plenty of caravans around the 1k mark and not all are damp. I looked at a couple before buying my abbey and one was very damp and the other was dry but as the owner had spent £900 on a new awning the year previous he didn't want to budge on price.
In the end I snapped up a 1990 Abbey GTS415 on ebay for £1000. It is dry inside, has everything we need (3 way fridge, 4 burner hob, oven/grill, blown heating, cascade water heather, shower, thetford flush toilet, nice interior layout and came with a full awning, water containers, stabiliser etc. We love it and serveral people have said to us if we upgrade they'd give us the £1000 for it.
We got the caravan after considering a tent but worked out that we'd need to spend £500 on the tent, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, lights etc etc so another £500 to have something warm and dry was well worth it.
I do agree to some extent (I have old van) but with the op its not just money but time that is a problem. Old vans are great if you have time and know how but don't think the op has the time for DIY
we managed to pick our 2 berth caravan up for £300 was wanting £500 but got it mates rate and to be honest the best thing we did. it is a vast improvement on a tent and more comfy and as for weight there are many light weight older caravans available. It has been said before by many people that you need to check for damp and it would pay to have the gas and electrics checked over for peace of mind. i would check your local free ads papers or even have a look on gumtree where you may just find a bargain. good luck with your search and hope you get a good one soon!
------------- even caravan owners need loving so please be patient when behind me! do forgive me for driving so close to the front of your car!!
Caravanning in stormy weather at night can be great when you`re cosy, and the caravan`s rocking. Next morning the sun`s out. You survey the tent wreckage poor occupants and wonder . . . why??
------------- Peripheral people don`t have as much excitement but they sure live longer
If your looking for a nice tidy cheep van, theres a coachman genius on here for sale. fully loaded with everything !!!!! including awning, pots pans, the lot
One major plus point in favour of a cheap caravan over a tent or trailer tent is that the caravan does not need to be dried off before its put away.
I have had to pack away damp tents in the past and then had the bother of pitching it in the garden to dry it out before mildew becomes an issue.
Thanks to wind damage, snapping poles and a cooking accident one time I went through £800 worth of tents before I got my £950 caravan and I would never go back.
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Topic: Which caravan on a tight budget
