Hi I have decided to buy a Caravan and I do not want to change my car I have a Dacia Duster 4x2 it's a 2019 model and very low mileage and the max I can tow is 1400.kgs
So I have been looking for a light caravan and there are a lot of Lunars for sale at present I know the company has closed down but most parts inside vans are made by different manufactures and the body is built by Lunar
So I know would have a problem if I needed a body parts but what are your views on Lunar caravans I would be looking for a van from 2012/13 on
You can still buy front and rear panels for them. https://caravanpanels.com/
People tend to steer clear of them because of them no longer trading. But there are caravans out there where the manufacturer is still trading, but getting parts for those that are a few years old would be no longer available.
Internally caravans are basically all the same, water systems, heating and fridges etc. The only thing you might find a struggle for is things like overhead cupboard doors etc, but they can be picked up secondhand.
A lot of people I hear say “oh a leaky Lunar wouldn’t touch one of those” I’ve had numerous caravans they all have their problems, in particular a Swift 580 where the awning rails where all removed due to water ingress.
The Lunar we have now suits us fine the bathroom is huge as is the shower.
I say if you find one you like get it checked over if it’s all ok go for it. We have no regrets.
When towing a caravan you need to know the kerb weight of the car and work with that figure usually about 85% to 95%of that figure, if your max towing weight is the manufacturers figure it will probably be well over the kerb weight.
Our Clubman was brilliant until it started to leak like a sieve! First it leaked through the roof strap. The dealer repaired this but had to remove the awning rail to do it. The awning rails cannot be replaced as the 'jig' for them was lost when the factory closed, our dealer informed us. We spent a LOT of money having this fixed.(£1300! It would have been more except for a goodwill gesture towards the cost from the dealer)
The caravan was still under warranty but this was worthless as Lunar had gone bust.
Next it leaked through the side of the skylight. Not just a little drip but full-blooded, bucket filling flood. More money.
Finally, we had to say enough is enough and traded it in for a Coachman. When we handed it over, the dealer found that the leak from the roof strap had started again.
It was a great shame as the van was really well thought-out, towed easily and was very comfortable. We loved it and it was intended to be the last van we would buy.
For what it is worth, my advice would be to steer clear unless you have deep pockets.
Agree with clbewi, nothing specific wrong with Lunar as a brand, and any brand of older van is likely to have issues obtaining body parts once the body style has been revamped for a new style and parts are no longer produced. As said the appliances, the lockers, many of the lights (marker lights etc.) are all stock items found across many brands and years of vans, so spares for them not generally an issue.
As to 'leaky Lunar', that old chestnut! Lunar did have a bit of a reputation for vans built nigh on 20 years ago, when the then Dutch company owners were not keen on quality control! Since the company was taken out of their control by a management buyout in 2007, quality improved and they are no better or worse than any other brand, but the reputation lives on without justification, try Googling 'leaky Bailey', you'll find plenty, or windows falling out on new Coachman, again a 'brand' problem. EVERY brand has some issue at some point in production, some of the Swift brands/models had issues with front/rear mouldings splitting where affixed to the body! Even the much heralded 'so called superior' Continental brands so beloved by detractors of British manufactured caravans have their faults on occasions!
Lunar's tend to be light for their size and high specification, making them ideal for lighter tow cars, that's why they remain popular and pretty much hold their value against the competition despite being a defunct manufacturer. The industry is awash with now defunct brands, yet the caravans carry on into ripe old age, many absolutely trouble free, well as trouble free as any caravan is!
FAR more important than Brand on a older caravan is condition, and current absence of damp! Damp is a perpetual problem with caravans, and plenty (FAR TO MANY of ALL brands!) leak from near new and get fixed under warranty! Caravans are VERY expensive to fix, so it's important to ensure anything you buy doesn't have any faults, or they are put right by the seller before accepting delivery. Private sale prices often look appealing, but it's a 'Buyer Beware' transaction with little to no comeback on the seller if you later discover a problem and those expensive fixes will be coming out of your wallet! Dealers will almost certainly offer some warranty, AND you have legal comeback on them, so generally worth the extra cost, especially if you're a novice to caravans and unaware of the typical pitfalls.
Had my 2016 Lunar over 5 years now, very pleased with it, and no desire to swap it for anything else anytime soon. Beyond the odd niggly 'brand independent, typical caravan' problem like toilet flush pump needing a tweak to get started after winter layup, it's been trouble free.
your car isnt really upto the job of towing caravan even a lunar! the lightest models still put you at 95% or higher of your kerbweight perhaps a rethink if your determined to keep your car is needed, what about a folding camper instead?
we have had 3 Lunars [over 7 years] a 2003 Stellar and a 2011 stellar [2 berths] and a 2008 Zenith[4 berth] only one problem with any was where the seller of the Zenith covered over the damaged waste outlet on the shower, otherwise not a problem, dry as a bone and easy towing ,
------------- That's not a dog....... That's a Schnauzer
Quote: Originally posted by zipperwales on 16/7/2023
Hi I have decided to buy a Caravan and I do not want to change my car I have a Dacia Duster 4x2 it's a 2019 model and very low mileage and the max I can tow is 1400.kgs
So I have been looking for a light caravan and there are a lot of Lunars for sale at present I know the company has closed down but most parts inside vans are made by different manufactures and the body is built by Lunar
So I know would have a problem if I needed a body parts but what are your views on Lunar caravans I would be looking for a van from 2012/13 on
Your biggest issue is the kerbweight of the car which can vary between 1275kg and 1350kg. Although the car can tow 1500kg it may be foolish to tow anything heavier than 1250kg even if an experienced driver otherwise in an emergency the caravan will determine where the car is going.
We have a 2012 Lunar Arriva, bought second hand from a dealer. It was immaculate inside and out, spotlessly clean. We've had it for four years now with no problems and have just come home today from a weekend of torrential rain 🙄😒 with no leaks. Can only go on the one we have but more than happy with the quality and design.
------------- Linda
2017
May - 3 nights Yeatheridge.
May - 5 nights Mill Park, Ilfracombe
July - 6 nights not sure where yet
August - 2 weeks Croatia, Camp Lanterna.
2018
May - 3 night Yeatheridge campsite
May half term - 6 nights Cornwall
July - 1 week Cotswolds
August - 2 weeks Vendee.
Hi I would like to thank you all for your reply’s as I have not owned a caravan before and seen some of the advice you have passed on to me I have booked a day and half course with the caravan and camping club at the end of this month for towing / reversing and caravan loading and things I need to check to stay road safe Thanks again for all the information and the time you took to reply to me Glyn
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Topic: Would you buy a Lunar
via mobile 16/7/2023 at 1:06pm
