We've been campers for many many years now including the last three and a half with our little one. We now have number 2 due soon and have decided we want to move on from the tent. I was sure what we wanted was a folding camper and something like a Penine Pathfinder or Conway Crusader.
But really what the missus really wants more than anything is to not have to pack and unpack much or at all really. Which for a folder we'd still have to each time we go away or move to another site.
So have been thinking that a Caravan is more what we want. And one that suits for our situation is one that we can put the kids to bed in without having to make up the beds. So fixed bunk beds etc. Happy enough to make our own up. But an extra dinette would be good.
Really don't know much about caravan makes but have had a little look and something like the Baily 540/5 looks like what we'd want.
But can anyone recommend any other makes/models that I could look at?
Only ever towed a 6x4 box trailer but not bothered about towing though I'd rather not be pulling a behemoth.
We'd be using it mainly for a short breaks in North England/Scotland but also planning some Euro trips - 2-3 weeks.
As I say I know nothing about caravans so some advice for a pure novice appreciated.
The first thing to consider is what your car can tow legally and safely. Second thing is what your licence allows you to drive, as you have young children it is possible that you did your test after 1997 and have a restricted licence.
How big is your budget? I would have a good luck round dealers forecourts at different layouts and get a feel for different models and price levels. Most of us change layouts as we get more of an idea of what works so buying used means a slightly cheaper experience.
The licence isn't a problem then but you do still need to double check the kerb weight and max tow weight of the car to ensure a good match.
If the Bailey you mentioned was the Pursuit 540/5 then there are many models available in the same sort of layout. If you look at the Caravanfinder website I think you can choose a layout and then look at all the caravans for sale with that layout.
I would go second hand at first, you may find you don't enjoy caravanning or that you love it and want to change to a different caravan, either way you won't lose so much on a used outfit. You also need to budget for all the bits and pieces you'l need such as Aquaroll and leisure battery but a dealer may include these bits as a starter pack.
Quote: Originally posted by clever on 01/4/2016
Take a look at the Adria Altea 542 DT (triple bunk) or the Adria Altea 542 DK (double bunk)
Great light weight vans but difficult to get hold of second hand. Wouldn't change ours for anything else.
I do like the look of that one, thanks. And yes there doesn't seem to be too many around.
We have camped for years now and rented motor homes several times too so confident we will like caravanning too. The only drawback I'd ever had with it was the towing. But guessing if we buy a decent make second hand we would not 'lose' much on it over 2 -3 years or so and can then buy new.
We like you were campers, until just over a week ago. We had a camping Easter weekend booked and the weather was looking, well cats and dogs. NOT much fun we though so Gumtree to rescue and bought a £1500 22 year old caravan 4/5 berth.
We all loved the caravan experience over the trailer tent BUT the van was too small to be ideal.
We learnt we wanted the following:-
More space,
End bed room for kids with decent upper bunk and screen door
Black old blinds
Bathroom with a fixed sink
More comfortable mattresses/seats.
So first van has got a new owner already and last night picked up our Bailer Ranger 500 5 2001. Different layout to what your looking at as we wanted kids in end bedroom that can be screened off. We have 3 kids, 10, 5 and 2 all with different bedtimes...and more humble money than your budget. We are keeping the trailer tent as I also have a trike and cant tow caravan with it...lol.
4K for everything
Great condition carven, fully serviced & demonstrated by a very knowledgeable small trader.
He even changed the stock hitch to a sway control hitch at my request.
Full awning came with van & a new porch 3.9m awning (for quicker set up for short breaks)
New step
Wastemaster and Aqua Roll
Level ramp, gas bottle
20m EHU cable & adapter to be able to plug in at home.
Hitch lock & wheel clamp (insurance requirement for us)
Extra oven shelf (we asked as gas ovens only cook well at top of oven)
Spare water pump seal
Oh and £10 luck penny (a rare trend that I was brought up with as lived on a farm)
AND a strict instruction if we want or need anything to NOT buy it but give him a call and if he can help us he will, as he has loads of spares for most things that go wrong/break.
I agree with above, try second hand and see if it all suits you.
IF (as we did second time round) you can find a small knowledgeable dealer/trader who is helpful and takes the time to listen to what you want and show you what's available, explaining the good the bad and the ugly you will hopefully get the right caravan for you first time.
If you find its not quite right, don't just stick with it, change it as we did. We only had the first van for a week.
If you were in N.Ireland I would recommend you go see the guy we bought from, but suspect from your holiday locations, your N.England.
Interested to hear what you get, I reckon you will like all the extra comfort, kit and convenience with reduced set up and clear up time, ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS WET.
Good luck and happy shopping.
Post last edited on 02/04/2016 08:34:12
Post last edited on 02/04/2016 08:52:29
------------- if your not living life on the edge your taking up tooo much room
Oh and get a small oil filled radiator to keep kids warm at night.
We have a 800W with two setting and a baby 450W. one for each end of the van (use the 800W on half ) both off Gumtree.
Even a site with a low AMP EHU will keep this running with lights.
------------- if your not living life on the edge your taking up tooo much room
Well just thought I'd post to say what we ended up with.
Opted for a 2017 Sprite Major 6 TD.
We had been looking at second hand but there really wasn't much meeting our requirements - bunk beds as mentioned but also bathroom having separate shower as opposed to all in one. Also anything we did find we didn't think the price was low enough (less than 5 years old) and it made sense to just buy new. Well we justified it to ourselves anyway :)
We have been campers for years in UK and Australia. We lived in the back of a van I converted in to a camper for a few months and have rented motor homes too so pretty confident caravanning is for us.
Pick it up at the end of march and we'll book in somewhere local for the weekend to get a feel of it.
I was planning on getting a towing course taken but can't get on one before pick up so a couple of youtube videos will have to do.
Im sure you will all love it, a towing coarse is a good idea but you will soon get used to it just takes a little practise, allow a little extra time to pass vehicles and give a wider berth when turning also make sure you load correctly with heavy items low down and over the axle and check the nose weight too. I would also recommend tyron bands fitted to the tyres in case of tyre failure.
Enjoy it
------------- its our imperfections that makes us perfect
We had a Ranger 500/5 also, But changed after a few months to a Adria Altea 542 DK.
I have said this on other threads, dont think I would have any other brand now.
Vans are lighter, are built a different way so tend to have less issues with damp and better insulated than all but the latest fo the UK brands.
We got out Adria in Scotland (seems to be loads up there as there are at least 3 dealers) so can understand as they keep out the cold WAY better than either of our first two vans.
The Adria Altea 5452 range is a good starter for about 8k you should be able to get a 2008 or fresher van. They are DT, DK, DP and they have 5 and 6 berths. some have double fixed bunks, some have triple in the same layouts. With two littles you only need the two and it also gives more storage under the bottom bunk. All have a separate dinnet.
One drawback is the front area you turn into your king bed is not as comfy as others. We bought a topper we roll up and store in the top bunk during the day.
Happy hunting.
------------- if your not living life on the edge your taking up tooo much room
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Topic: Can you recommend me a caravan?
