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Subject Topic: Bunks on a budget
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PersonCheesypeas
25/8/2016 at 1:28pm
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Hello everyone. After years of camping, we've decided to take the plunge into the terrifying world of caravanning 😁 and get ourselves a sturdy used van to learn on. We're a family of four with an 8 and 6 year old. We don't want to spend more than £5k or change our car, so there's our budget and weight (1339kg towing weight at 85%). In addition to this, our son has severe autism so we'd love fixed bunks to give him a bolt hole when it all gets a bit much. We looked at the sprite majors which we love but they're way out of our budget! Also looking at an abbey advantage (bit heavy?) and a bailey 500/5 (cheaper but no fixed bunks). Are there any families with either the abbey or bailey who can advise? Are fixed bunks such a recent thing that there aren't any £5k used examples?! Thank you so much for reading this, apologies if this has been asked before!


PersonOpensauce
25/8/2016 at 2:04pm
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You need to look at German makes, plenty of them have fixed bunks. Less common layout on UK built caravans. Probably secondhand ones are less likely to be damp than UK makes of similar age. Here for example. Search ebay for makes such as Burstner Hymer & Dethleffs.


PersonCheesypeas
25/8/2016 at 2:06pm
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Brilliant, thank you, I'll take a look opensauce...


Personfaulknerf1
25/8/2016 at 6:18pm
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Based on your weight restrictions I would look at Adrias. The 542 Altea has fixed bunks at the back.
We had one for best part of 10 years, it served us well!

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Personveema
25/8/2016 at 7:19pm
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Yep...I'd say the adria altea too. We have one and the bunks are spacious and there's a nice little curtain that pulls across...our daughter loves her 'room'. You should be able to find a good second hand one...and they are fairly lightweight too.


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PersonCheesypeas
25/8/2016 at 7:37pm
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Thank you both, going to have a happy few hours this evening poring over the caravan sites with a bit more to go on! It's a bit more complex than choosing a tent, that's for sure...


Personyrret
25/8/2016 at 8:49pm
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We have a adria altea 502dk max weight 1200kg 5 berth , fixed bunks at back with a curtain thingy . Each bunk has its own little window with little cubby holes for books bears etc.the bunks are full size singles and we love it. Ours is a 2007 model and we gave 4500 for it . Cant fault it and no damp great caravan .


Personyrret
25/8/2016 at 8:54pm
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The other thing i like is you dont see anybody else with one :)


PersonCheesypeas
25/8/2016 at 9:04pm
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No way - did you find it on eBay may I ask? I'm scared stiff of ending up with a stolen or damaged van! Think I've read too many horror stories. Love the idea of windows and cubby holes - I may have to bagsy one to hide in with my glass of wine though 😉


Personyrret
25/8/2016 at 9:11pm
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We found it on gumtree ! We travelled halfway across the country to get it .lovely family showed us everything and how it worked awning and all the bits inc. We checked the paperwork and the folder of recepts for servicing etc and all was legit ,then payed the money filled out the criss bits and towed it home . You can tell when somthing has been well cared for take a damp meter look for funny smells spongy bits etc . And if all is well get a bargain .


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Personyrret
25/8/2016 at 9:14pm
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PersonCheesypeas
25/8/2016 at 9:15pm
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Sounds like you were so lucky! Good advice on the damp meter, I'll get onto Amazon now. First of many bits of caravan paraphernalia I'll no doubt be really, really needing! Thanks yrret.


Personyrret
25/8/2016 at 9:27pm
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Theres one on gumtree at the moment 2008 model ! Just under six grand at a stealers i mean dealers put your haggling hat on .


PersonCheesypeas
25/8/2016 at 9:31pm
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I know, just looking at it!!!!! It looks perfect, just one thing strikes me, do those windows at the back beside the bunks open right up, do you know? Having odd "child doing a bunk from bunk in middle of night" scenario! Could prob fit an adhesive window lock if so?


Personyrret
25/8/2016 at 9:34pm
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Well they do open and they have fly screens /blinds the top one has a thing you put up to stop you rolling into the windows


PersonCheesypeas
25/8/2016 at 9:39pm
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Of course, forgot there'll be a blind of some sort on, that'll contain him. Thank you so much for putting up with my ignorance.. this looks so much better than the searches I originally came up with, was despairing! I'll investigate this one a bit further this weekend I think.



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