We've decided that it's time to have a caravan. We've camped for the last 8 years and have enjoyed every trip (even the wet ones!) However we're not winter campers so our season ran from may-august and we just simply want to get away more often!
We've been looking for a month or so now at vans and have finally settled on a layout. We've been mainly looking at dealers as they have a lot of caravans to nosy around!
Any advice on buying/planning would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you. Sarah x
------------- North Wales May 2014
Wirral July 2014
Arrowe brook farm July 2014
Bellingham August 2014
North Wales October 2014
Hayfield August 2014
The first thing to consider is what you will be towing with as this will dictate the size of the caravan. Also if you have a post 1997 licence you will be restricted as to how much you can tow.
Have a look at dealers to get an idea of layouts and prices and check sites such as Caravanfinder and the adverts on here to see what is available.
Have you got some idea of your budget yet? You'll need to budget for aquarolls, awnings etc unless you get a good deal from a dealer but a lot of your camping gear will be handy.
If buying from a dealer make sure they give you a decent damp warranty. Just because the van comes from a dealer doesn't mean it won't have damp. (As we found out on our first van)
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
A tip for when they are handing the van over (if its a dealer especially)is video everything. Unless you are very familiar with how caravans 'work' - and you sound as though you may not be, its worth having moving pictures to look back to see how everything operates.
I just watched, the first time around, thinking i'd easily remember this that and the other. No i didnt. Second time, i video'd it all ( as i switched from a motorhome to a caravan - and yes, some stuff are different, and all control units seem to be different), and it came in handy when i was 'testing' it all back on the drive.
I knew this would be the place to look for advice! I was a bit general wan't I?
We drive a Range Rover and a Land Rover so I assume we'd be able to have which ever van we fancied on that front! Passed our test (ahem) a long time before 1997 lol but thanks for the heads up on that one!
Hubby and I have a history of driving large vehicles (vintage tractors with trailers) but I don't fancy towing to be honest!
The budget hum well see here's the main issue! It started around 8,000 but then I spotted the Swift Conqueror 570....So currently working on the (ahem) budget!!! I think i'd rather tent it for another year and eventually have what I want rather than settle for second best. My argument with management is that if we went on three foreign holidays that would pay for that van!
If I bought second hand privatly then I suppose some people sell with awnings/rolls/waste etc Definatly need a motor mover as we plan on keeping the van at home and it's a bit of a tricky manoeuvre! We've manhandled large tractors and trailers around the side before but caravans are so BIG now. We literally have 6cm spare space just to come through the gates (I have hated the gate stumps for many years and can't wait to take the sledge hammer to them!)
Mick I am totally unfamiliar with how caravans work, top tip there thanks!
Damp...
I was shocked at how many rally damp caravans there are for sale, once dealer wanted £8,000 for a van whos interior was covered in mould! Am I right in assuming that a relatively new van would have a transferable water ingress warranty?
Thank you for all your superb advice! I am sure I will be back to pester you all shortly!
------------- North Wales May 2014
Wirral July 2014
Arrowe brook farm July 2014
Bellingham August 2014
North Wales October 2014
Hayfield August 2014
If you are using a Range Rover you could tow just about anything available in the UK so no problem there and no problem with your licences either so you have a wide choice available. If you are nervous of towing then one of the courses run by the two main clubs might be worthwhile or how about a taster session at the NEC or one of the other big shows?
A new van may have a transferable warranty if it has a service record and you may have to pay to transfer it.
You will have plenty of choice with your budget but you are right, damp can still be a major issue,even with relatively new vans. It may be worthwhile getting any prospective purchase checked over by caravan engineer (for a fee obviously). It may cost but when you are spending that sort of money, it is buying peace of mind.
As for towing, I would also recommend one of the club courses.
Motor movers are also worth their weight in gold, not only for getting the van onto the driveway but also when you turn up at a site and the only pitch left is an awkward one! (and much less embarrassing than endless backing up and pulling forwards being watched by everyone else).
You will probably get more for your money from a private sale but will need to know what to look for, be prepared to travel around a fair bit viewing vans, and will have to check CRIS details for outstanding finance and possibly, stolen vans. That being said, you can often get a lot of the kit thrown in with the price, including awnings, water barrels and Wastemasters etc. and these extras can cost a fair bit if buying them new. If sellers have a FSH, warranties can still be transferred, for a fee.
We moved from tenting with an arrow lake tent to a caravan just over a year ago. It's great to extend the season. Off in it next week and we've done February and October last year which wouldn't have done in a tent! If you're not after anything really fancy (having an oven was a luxury after the tent) then take a look at Adria Altea. They are a bit cheaper as they don't have all the extras uk vans have. We went for one as it was light weight (but you are ok with that!) and big bunks. I was thinking swift at first [sprite actually] (cos we had those when I was a child and it's what you know) & I think they are good vans too, but the Adria suited us more.
Thanks for the towing advice, I might consider doing that next year as I always have more holidays than my hubby. I think he's already resigned himself to the fact i'll be nagging him to tow the van for us there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to do it. I suppose it's like taking the tent out on my own with a 5 & 6 year old! Once you've done it it's fine!
Andyfisher, a friend has an Adria, I went in hers yesterday they're firm contenders in the market hey! Our two beasties are 9&10 now so I suspect it won't be long before they want to sleep in a pup tent or awning I've ruled out fixed bunks for this reason. Did you keep your Arrow Andy? We've three tents and with a caravan it's totally ridiculous to keep them all.... but I love my Norfolk lake and it doesn't really owe us a penny. Tempted to keep it in case we get an amazing summer. But sensibly I think we should sell and put the money towards the van. Definitely keeping the other two tents as I want to be able to camp at Eskdale.
I'm watching a van on ebay at the minute, 20 month old Swift. I'm understandably nervous at the prospect of spending so much money on a private sale. Put into perspective it's almost half the price of our first house! But as you've said Patches it comes with awning/roll/waste/motor mover and sat TV. Broke out in a cold sweat at the prospect of arriving on site and having peps laugh at my miserable towing attempts hahaha.
I'll defiantly be taking a technician with us if we choose to go private. The local caravan depot here offers that service.
*sigh* It's a massive decision to make.
Anyone recommend a good retailer? We went to Glossop, Oldham caravans and at the weekend. Read mixed reviews on their service on here.
------------- North Wales May 2014
Wirral July 2014
Arrowe brook farm July 2014
Bellingham August 2014
North Wales October 2014
Hayfield August 2014
Arrow lake is for sale, though I put it up at the end of summer so limited interest so may drop price soon. I thought I would use it but I know that's not likely. Trailer is sold now though. Our lads slept in a pup tent when we had the tent, but not done so since caravan. They seem to enjoy their bunks. The eldest is coming up to 16 and seems ok with it! I guess in a year he'll no longer come with us. Good luck in finding a van. I recommend the cc towing course - really helpful. Reversing van much easier than the trailer was!
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: New Caravaners advice needed!
but thanks for the heads up on that one! 
there's no reason why I shouldn't be able to do it. I suppose it's like taking the tent out on my own with a 5 & 6 year old! Once you've done it it's fine! 
