We're seriously considering spending a large sum of money on a caravan we haven't even seen as no dealers have them. The Swift Basecamp Plus!!! Are there any owners in Essex or surrounding counties that would be prepared to show us round theirs before we commit to buying one? Or maybe you're spending a few nights in nearby campsite and we could pop over? Otherwise it'll be fingers crossed as we part with a large non refundable deposit!!!
Don't buy till you try, we went to have a look at a Basecamp it's nice but basic, consider the size of the pitch you will need if you use the Vango extension, twice the size pitch double the site fee, take a look at the coachman 460 two berth, better van and some deals on display models, Broadlane caravans Warwickshire. Better quality, more space, one pitch.
Hi stationhouse26,
I've contributed a few comments to the thread you've been following. My experience as regards pitch size is as follows:
Southport C&MHC site: fitted onto a hardstanding awning site with Vango awning but did have to confirm with them in advance
Derwentwater C&CC site: used the porch awning so fitted onto a hardstanding awning site
Haltwhistle C&MHC site (booked but not yet gone): Vango awning would have been too big so taking porch awning for further experimentation.
Keswick C&CC site (booked but not yet gone): booked onto a Super Jumbo grass pitch(!) as we want to take the Vango awning because we are away for 10 nights. There is an extra charge for this. However, the very helpful wardens have said we will fit onto a larger hardstanding (which is cheaper) & they will move our booking if one becomes available.
We are trying the porch awning again towards the end of July so keep an eye on the thread for further postings.
We saw the Basecamp brochure and loved it. We then saw a Basecamp at a local dealer and were a tiny bit underwhelmed (too high expectations perhaps...) then we saw it again at a show and loved it... and bought it! When we got "our" baby (complete with RAF roundel / MOD logo) we loved it even more. Now we have been away in it we still love it.
I can understand your enthusiasm but (personally) I would be wary of such a large purchase without seeing it. I'm only sorry no-one is holidaying in your part of the country. I'm afraid the furthest South we are going this year is Keswick. If you fancy a trip "up North" you are more than welcome to call in. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Thanks for the info Sandygrounder. Does the porch awning fit properly or have you had to make some adjustments? Interestingly when I rang up the dealer in Chorley he said the van and awning fit into caravan club sites as it was one of the questions I had!
As we're new to towing and caravannig and our car can only pull a small van, we really liked the basecamp - I loved the Spitfire decal too!!!
The porch awning fits... after a fashion! We haven't made any adjustments to the awning in terms of modifying it but are taking some steps to improve the fit...
When we bought it, our only concern was the length of the awning rail at the rear. After purchase, we realised there are some other issues which affect the overall fit.
1. The grey mouldings on the rear corners (one at about waist height & one at the base) mean that the edge of the awning will not lie flat against the side of the van. We are going to attempt to minimise this by using "clingons" and suction cups. We'll run the awning edge down the side of the van to the top of the moulding, then use a clip and sucker to "stick" the awning to the van. We'll run the awning around the moulding then use another clip and sucker to get a close fit immediately below the moulding. At the base we should only need to get the awning close to the top of the moulding and then peg the bottom as usual.
2. The bottom awning rail (for the draught skirt) only covers about the central third of the van. We're hoping we can just use suction cups on the side of the van to hold the rest up!
3. The thing we were worried about (the width) was the easy bit! 200cm porch awnings are widely available. There was a slight overlap from the triangle bit which might flap a bit if it was windy. The dealer recommended we put an eyelet in and guy it down. We did that at Keswick but might try another suction cup at Haltwhistle. (If you ever see a Basecamp covered in suction cups you will know it is us!)
This all sounds like an awful lot of messing about but we think it is worth experimenting. We like the Vango but it can restrict you on some sites.
Looking at some threads on here, it would appear some people have difficulty getting awnings to fit closely, even on standard caravans so I'm hoping our "suckers and clingons" approach won't stand out too much.
We bought the awning from Glossop Awnings and found them exceptionally helpful. We phoned them to explain the issues and they told us to bring the van over and were willing to fit any of the awnings to see if they were suitable. We went for a Sunncamp Envy.
I'll post again after we've tried the porch awning again at Haltwhistle.
Incidentally, our dealer said the same thing about the C&MHC sites. I think, perhaps, there is an issue with availability so a site may have large enough hardstandings but they might not be available for particular dates. I've taken to phoning the wardens direct now. It's what the C&MHC recommend for non-standard outfits and, with the Vango awning, the Basecamp is non-standard.
Quote: Originally posted by stationhouse26 on 04/7/2017
Yes from start to finish. We want to see one in the flesh hopefully before we put down the deposit though.
Hi stationhouse26
We eagerly await news of our delivery, ordered in April due September! We too desperately wanted to view before we parted with our money. All demos had sold even those still advertised as available. In the end we come up lucky and a dealer not too far away had delivery of a new basecamp ordered for a customer that wasn't collecting for a week. They kindly let us have a sneak peak and it was everything we hoped, placed our order before we left. We are hearing via Twitter that many orders are completing now so worth a mention at dealers local to you. Can't wait to see one on the road on our travels and even more so hitch ours up!!
Hope you get sorted.
Unfortunately there's only one dealer anywhere near us and needless to say they don't have any!! Are you anywhere near Essex Dodgelisie? Although by the time you get yours we'll probably have ordered one 😄
Hi stationhouse
We are Manchester, dealer near us tweeted delivery of 2 the other day. What a shame there is none near you. We are upgrading from camping under canvas, thought we would go down the trailer tent route but after we saw the basecamp online was so giddy for one. Traditional caravan isn't for us, no curtains or carpet required! Basecamp ticked all the boxes. Are there no caravan shows you can get to? There is one in Norfolk this month, worth a drive out if a demo is on show. Defo Swift dealers are there but where are all the demos, Swift too busy fulfilling orders! Frustrating for potential buyers isn't it.
http://www.homesteadcaravans.co.uk/caravan-search.htm?condition%5B%5D=New&berth%5B%5D=2&make=0&min_price=16000&max_price=27500&adv_search=Search+Caravans
Advertising a demo sept/oct
They may be fulfilling orders before hand tho, is this where you have tried? 😊
Yes that's our closest dealer. They haven't got any
The show in August in Norwich looks to be Motorhomes. I don't recognise any Basecamp dealers and I can't see Swift on the exhibitors list.
If we're going to get one for Easter next year then I think we've got to order well before the October show! It's mad but think we're just going to have to take the plunge as it ticks all out boxes too!!
looks designed more for dare i say it "wild camping" in out of the way places..
looking at some of the vids one question went through my mind.. does it have an onboard water tank..
i recon i would prefer a side door and some racks on the back for the bikes.. having to de-clutter it before you can get inside would be a big no no for me..
No it doesn't have a on board water tank. We moved up from a trailer tent . We saw the Basecamp in the Camping Magazine back in October following the NEC & went to our local dealer in Cheadle & ordered late December & picked it up in May . I have just ordered a sun canopy to use for short trips , although we do love the awning .
Thanks to everyone who gave useful advice. On another forum we read that Highbridge Caravans in Somerset had a 2017 display model so we hot footed it down there. We had a good look round it and placed a deposit. Due for delivery February/March. There seems to be so much to learn and buy but we are Very much looking forward to becoming caravanners 😄
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: Swift Basecamp Plus - Essex owners?
