Morning all! Just posted this question in the bit about towing cars - good start! So I'll try in the right bit! We are thinking of buying our first caravan after 25 years of tent camping. The old bones are finding it hard to peg tent etc. We need a smallish caravan to fit on driveway and have narrowed down to Lunar Venus or Ariva 2 berth. New or fairly new would be fine. Any advice much appreciated. Thank you and sorry for blunder.
You say new or fairly new. Theres a difference - in price.
If you opted for second hand, you have more money to spend on a better model, and likely all the niggles will be sorted. Also, you will probably get a load of extras thrown in.
There are loads of choices out there of a similar size, you need to work out which layout suits you best. I wouldnt get one too small, as it will be like camping in a phone box.
Its been said may times but even as a "sayer" I have been caught out recently . Beware damp in caravans Buy a damp meter learn how it should be used,& then when you are sure you have found the van you want, bring in a mobile INDIPENDANT mechanic to check it over even if you are buying from a dealer this may cost £50/60 but believe me it could save you a fortune & if all IS ok you have peace of mind
The Venus has an end bathroom with shower cubicle. If you are going to use the shower this is a much better option than the Arriva where everything will get wet if you use the shower. You get a better bed size in the Arriva. The Arriva is only 12 foot interior length compared to 13 foot, but will seem more spacious due to not loosing space to an end bathroom.
As ex tenters and used to using the ablutions I wouldn't say it worth going for the proper shower compartment.
We are ex tenters and actually went for a large van that we store locally because we didn't want the hassle of putting the beds up and down. Also OH stays up late and I get up early.....with a 2 berth whether you use as singles or double you are going to disturb the other if you are like us.
We are very pleased with our change and go away a lot more due to the ease and speed of set up.
Hope you find "your" caravan and enjoy the experience.
------------- Started with a motorbike and tent.......my gallery, my life.
Ironically, we chose our Sprite on the strength of the end bathroom, rarely if ever using site blocks. We still have as much 'living' space as our previous 'van - a motorhome, so dont feel we are losing out space-wise. As we are happy making the bed up each night (far bigger than fixed models), we think we have the right van for us.
There's something to be said for buying second hand.
This is your first van & it is possible that your first choice of van _might_ not turn out to be ideal.
I would guess that you changed your ideas on tents over those 25 years, based on practical experience.
Buying second hand should mean that it would cost you less if you did decide to change it later.
On the other hand, we decided we were too old to carry on camping & "looked" at caravans.
We bought the third van we saw and have been happy with it ever since.
Thanks for help so far. Looked at the Adria but the smallest one is too long for drive. Going for another snoop around today. I know it's all a bit of a compromise and we will take our time. I like the advice about second hand and niggles being sorted, hopefully. The other possibility is there are so many niggles they just gave up and got rid!!! Ever the optimist though!
I see you are in the South East. If you are close enough have a look at Sussex Caravans. They are Lunar dealers and are a great company to deal with. I don't believe they sell the Venus vans, though.
------------- The Chinster.
Some people are just all show. I don’t mind that if the show is worth watching but ….
The downside of the Lunar Venus is that the shower cubicle is only lined with wallboard and not a propper paneled shower unit like most new caravans have, thats unless they have changed it for the 2014 season as it did put a lot of buyers off, including us. Its also a narrow caravan, which can make a suprising difference in the feel of internal space when living in it.
The Arriva is the better specification of the two, but again if your larger people, or like to sometimes use the front benches as single beds without having to make up the double then its probably not the caravan for you. Another Lunar to consider for a two berth is the Stella, it has a good level of equipment and later models have a much improved shower room.
Im a bit biased because we have one, but have you considered one of the new Elddis Explore or Avante Caravans? They are lightweight, have a good level of specification especially the Avante and the ranges above it, and still come with the option of having the shorter length, either as a two or 4 berth model. New versus Old is another debate, new will give you the longer warantee, and this i most cases will cover you for 10 years of any expenss of possible damp repairs that can be costly, but second hand these warantees are often not transfereable. Secondhand you may well get some of the extras thrown in, but sometimes these ca also be with a new caravan as part of a dealers package.
The chances are that you will still be using quite a bit of stuff from your camping gear, such as pots and pans, sleeping bags, outdoor chairs, gas bottle ect, so it will manly be a leisure battery and a couple of locks that you will need to buy for starters, and then you can collect the other bits and bobs as you go, also if asked, most dealers are happy to provide a free doorstep as part of the deal.
Good Luck in your search, it can be fun, but just take your time and dont just buy the first one that you fancy on the dealers yard, and be prepared to travel a few miles to the next dealer selling thd same brand if you do decide to buy new, sometimes the price differences can be truely amazing, wd travelled about 50 miles to buy our Elddis last year and saved ourselves around £1400 for doing so.
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!
Thanks for your help Julia. We are now leaning towards new for warranty, build quality etc. but then again we've seen a 2008 Ariva for 8k so that is tempting too. The search will continue, probably till we're so fed up that we stick with the tent!!
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Topic: Which one?
