Hello
We are looking into getting a caravan, we are looking at fixed bed, single axle, full end wash room layout. We can tow upto MTPL 1665. We are hoping to buy a used van and although we have looked at quite a few, we are wondering if any particular make/model is better than the other, for example we don't want to buy a Lada by mistake expecting it to be a VW/Ford etc if you see what I mean.
Also what do we need to be looking at if we buy privately? Is it risky to buy like that, are we best going to a dealer?
Any other, hints, tips advise and general guidance, would be very much appreciated. Is there anything, that you can think is imperative in a van, such as an extractor fan? Its all very confusing our heads are spinning
Hi and welcome to the wonderful workl of caravanning!
There is plenty of information in the Advice and Tips section of this website... and here is a very good article on what to look out for when buying a used caravan.
With a fixed bed the person on the inside has to clamber over the one on the outside to get out.
Buying from a good caravan dealer lessens the odds of buying a dud.Buying private you have to know what faults your looking eg damp.
If buying private remember its your money and i would advise to buy a damp tester and learn how to use it and where.
PS...there is nothing wrong with Ladas
Quote: Originally posted by jeff juke on 19/6/2016
With a fixed bed the person on the inside has to clamber over the one on the outside to get out.
Buying from a good caravan dealer lessens the odds of buying a dud.Buying private you have to know what faults your looking eg damp.
If buying private remember its your money and i would advise to buy a damp tester and learn how to use it and where.
PS...there is nothing wrong with Ladas
Quote: Originally posted by jeff juke on 19/6/2016
With a fixed bed the person on the inside has to clamber over the one on the outside to get out.
Buying from a good caravan dealer lessens the odds of buying a dud.Buying private you have to know what faults your looking eg damp.
If buying private remember its your money and i would advise to buy a damp tester and learn how to use it and where.
PS...there is nothing wrong with Ladas
Thank you, yes the bed thing is a bone of contention, we both struggle with bad backs, so making one up each night would be a pain. Thanks for the advice re the damp meter
Ah yes, "the bed thing". Sorry if what follows is too.much.information
We bought a van with a fixed bed thinking it would be perfect for the two of us. As it is our first caravan we didn't think things through - wriggling out from the inside to go to the loo isn't a problem, but the fact that it is only four foot wide is!
We are used to a super-king size bed at home so the fixed bed has turned out to be a little 'snug' for comfort. As a result one of us uses it (actually two of us if you accept the dog has decided that's where she is going!) and we make up the double at the front as our second bed.
One of the main reasons we didn't get a caravan years ago is I hate, detest, loath and abhor turning the sofas into a bed at night. Sorry, can't explain it, just one of those things I dislike.
Outdoorlass, to answer your last question, everyone's idea of what is vital will differ. For me it is a decent sized fridge and enough kitchen worktop because we don't tend to eat out. Other folk will only have breakfast in the van and go to pubs and restaurants so might not care about the cooking facilities.
Turning the sofas into beds is no problem if you sleep singly. Simply remove the backrests and stand them against the wardrobe then get out your super sized wide sleeping bags, place them on each of the beds and get in. Sweet dreams. Reverse action when you get up.
Simples!
We had the same dilema. We had a folding camper and stsrted using both beds to avoid climbing over each other to go to toilet and also too much body heat. We are inthe process of moving to caravan and wanted to maintain fixed beds, so after looking at lots of different layouts we went for one with fixed single beds.
------------- Joanne
May - Peak District
June - MG Live Silverstone
August/Sept - Salou
I feel the fixed bed can rather dominate the interior unless the van is big enough to take it. The bed is a fixed size so cannot be smaller. That means in a smaller van everything else has to be smaller to make room for it.
This results in front beds being too short to use as singles.
Also if you have children a fixed bed doesn't work. You want to put them to bed early and they will sleep in the lounge. Leaves you no-where to sleep.
I have to say though that the fixed bed is much more comfy and convenient than make up beds although tucking in duvets and sheets all from one side is very tricky.
I think you need to go to a dealer and sit in different layouts and imagine yourself living there. Where will you put everything; how will you use the kitchen and bathroom etc. Also storage, where will the TV go etc.
Have had a van where the bed had to be made up in the living room, had a van with a fixed bed and now have twin single beds which is great, beds are always made up and have stacks of useful storage space, each to their own though! My neighbour always sleeps in his awning!
Our first caravan was a fixed bed at the side, it was a real pain when he had to clamber over me in the night.
We now have a fixed island bed and we love it. No issues at all.
Quote: Originally posted by jeff juke on 19/6/2016
Buying from a good caravan dealer lessens the odds of buying a dud.Buying private you have to know what faults your looking eg damp.
If buying private remember its your money and i would advise to buy a damp tester and learn how to use it and where.
PS...there is nothing wrong with Ladas
I'm afraid that buying from a dealer won't necessarily stop you getting a dud at all. Dealers will generally fix what you can see prior to purchase, but that's about all.
Please, please have your proposed purchase inspected - you can look here:
http://www.mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk/
Pick an engineer who is AWS, as AWS dealer workshops may not recognise anything else. Believe me, the cost of an inspection could be many times less than the cost of fixing damp that you haven't picked up. Damp is like an iceberg - that litle damp patch is the 10%, the other 90% you can't see...Sadly there are diure tales every season of someone who has purchased a heap and been plunged into repair and legal battles.
Not trying to be negative here, just wouldn't want you to have a bad experience...
Quote: Originally posted by jeff juke on 19/6/2016
Buying from a good caravan dealer lessens the odds of buying a dud.Buying private you have to know what faults your looking eg damp.
If buying private remember its your money and i would advise to buy a damp tester and learn how to use it and where.
PS...there is nothing wrong with Ladas
I'm afraid that buying from a dealer won't necessarily stop you getting a dud at all. Dealers will generally fix what you can see prior to purchase, but that's about all.
Please, please have your proposed purchase inspected - you can look here:
http://www.mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk/
Pick an engineer who is AWS, as AWS dealer workshops may not recognise anything else. Believe me, the cost of an inspection could be many times less than the cost of fixing damp that you haven't picked up. Damp is like an iceberg - that litle damp patch is the 10%, the other 90% you can't see...Sadly there are diure tales every season of someone who has purchased a heap and been plunged into repair and legal battles.
Not trying to be negative here, just wouldn't want you to have a bad experience...
Thanks, that's useful, we are nervous of being ripped off. We have already experienced a bit of flannel from a dealer, walked away and won't go back there.
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Topic: Caravanner Wannabe Help & Advise Please
