Over our second cup of coffee today Mrs BB said go out and find a short list of three high spec two berth caravans and I will go with you to have a look.
OMG !
So calling all you experts out there can you help.
The list is: twin beds that convert into a big double, good heating and bathroom, great kitchen, top build quality, may be a blow up extension. Good insulation as we will go in winter.
Budget up to £25K, no weight restrictions as we have a Landrover.
We've just bought a Coachman VIP 420/2 and are very pleased with specs, build quality , space etc.
Our choice is for the smaller van, even though you have to make up the bed, as we like the extra lounge space/longer seats for daytime/evening use. We find Duvalays make bed making much easier, as well as being really comfortable.
We also upgraded the max. weight from 1450kg to 1500kg (no charge, they just swap the sticker on the side of the van) to give us a greater payload, should we need it, as the 1500kg is still well within our towcar's 85% limit.
A friend has just traded a much older van for a 2-berth Sterling Elite which I had a good look around last week.
It's a slightly wider van and the extra space inside was really noticeable. The layout (two long sofas which made a massive double or two singles) was very spacious and roomy, lots of space in the kitchen area and the bathroom was bigger than some en-suites I've seen in houses.
If we hadn't recently bought a new van ourselves I could have been very tempted ...
Have a look here, we got a 480 CP last year and love it ... very stylish ... bought it in Germany and saved a lot ... probably still cheaper to buy on the continent than in UK.
By the time you've added a few necessary extras ... roll out canopy? Mover? Your budget should cover the new model.
If op wants to look a foreign vans then Hymer & Knaus are worth a look & both have UK distributors. Better built than UK vans but layouts & decor often not to UK tastes. Right hand doors as well. Adria sell limited range in UK with left hand doors though.
We have a swift challenger sport 584. Transverse fixed bed. Wardrobe each plus a corner dressing table for Mrs BB. Lovely end bathroom. Nice kitchen etc. We love ours, best van we have had. About 23k new. Its a 4berth but theres just the 2 of us. We caravan all year. Uk and Europe. J x
Another vote for coachman 460/2 VIP however our girl is twelve years old, but having looked at lots of vans, I think coachman just has the edge of quality and sturdiness.
However, next time we are going to get the permanent twin bed solution as we struggle making the beds up, we both have temperamental backs I think it's just one less thing to do and less stuff to store on lockers etc!
Adria gets my vote (we are on our second) for the insulation and build quality door on the normal UK side.
With your budget you could get an Alpina, 2 versions one with LARGE fixed bed, one with twins. Both have front dinet that converts to a king size.
But your still well under budget with any of the Adora range (we have an Adora DT from 1012) before this we had an Altea 09 so I can testify to the build quality.
Call and see Venture caravans as they are the largest dealers to see if you like them first then if your impressed take the good lady.
What ever you shortlist it to, good luck.
------------- if your not living life on the edge your taking up tooo much room
We love our Elddis Avante 462, despite some peoples stories of having problems with this make of Caravan, ours has not been too bad with developing faults, and apart from the recall to replace the faulty front locker lid, and a new set of curtains due to a miss match in the design where the stripes did not match up level when closed, its been ok.
The water pump has just been replaced but that may have been our fault for using milton tablets to sterilize the water system at the start of the season. We love the layout and the large rear bathroom with its domestic sized corner shower and large wardrobe. The beds are very comfortable and the kitchen thoughtfully laid out, no high level microwave to try and reach, its housed over the spacious sideboard under a roof locker , and for me at 5ft 4ins thats at shoulder height.
I have owned a Coachman Caravan before and loved it, but were a little put off by some of the faults we spotted on dealer forcourts in demonstrator vans. We also spoke to a man up on the West Ayton CC site who was having a stressful time on his maiden voyage with his Coachman Lazer, mainly with the water heater and several leaks from the pipe work around the caravan. His mattress was also splitting at the seams. This should all have been sorted out during the pre delivery inspection, but im not suprised after learning that he had bought it from a certain North Derbyshire dealer who had had a lot of negative feedback on this forum.
Julia
Post last edited on 17/05/2017 00:02:37
------------- 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 to all for that information, were off to Broadlane caravans to have a look at what they have, Mrs BB likes the swift basecamp, I think she wants to be 30 again, so we will see what the story is, we might even go out for a pint,
Quote: Originally posted by Belper Bloke on 17/5/2017
Thanks to all for that information, were off to Broadlane caravans to have a look at what they have, Mrs BB likes the swift basecamp, I think she wants to be 30 again, so we will see what the story is, we might even go out for a pint,
Regards BB.
I've found Don Ammott to be good to deal with, although they seem to have more motor homes than vans.
With 25k budget and a Land Rover, I'd be looking at a four berth for that extra bit of comfort and space.
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: The time has come
I think it's just one less thing to do and less stuff to store on lockers etc! 
