We're going to swap. Our beloved Pathfinder folding camper for a caravan. We went to the show.... We know we want a fixed bed (double) and the potential for either a double or 2 singles in the front. We want good quality. We want good specs internally. So which way do we go? Elddis or Swift? Or is there another one you would recommend? If so why? This is of course the $64,000 question. But who better to ask? We want to buy new and though we're not millionaires we are prepared to spend a fair amount on the right one.. 3 adults will share until daughter decided not to!
It depends which one fits the bill for your needs, Our last two vans have been Abbey's and we have had very little problems with them, you are always going to get some little teething problems, but nothing dramatic, we also like the build quality of the Abbey van, but I'm sure you there will be other members along shortly giving their opinion on their prefered make. We also pulled it with a Citreon C5, not a problem. Which ever one you go for have fun and enjoy.
Elddis caravans tend to be heavier, but if thats not an issue then it won't be a problem for you. We are pleased with ours, made by the Swift group and all their new 'vans have a 6 year water ingress guarentee.
We went from a Conway Crusader to a fixed bed caravan, just make sure the single seats are long enough to be used as singles. I also slept 3 teens across the front of the van, quite comfortably last weekend by removing the chest of drawers.
The new Bailey Pageant Burgundy and Senator Indiana also the Swift Challenger 540, new this year, was it launched at the NEC?, are nice layouts but the seats are quite short.
However, if you decide to go for the transverse bed, you then get a proper bathroom rather than a wet-room, ie the Bailey Pageant Vendee and Swift Challenger 550, but then you have no private dressing area which is essential for us with the teenagers.
Also worth looking at is the Avondale Eagle, a different layout altogether, but with fixed bed.
were off to the show tomorrow to have a look a round , but back to the question if i was changing i would go for the swift, we,ve had one now for 2 years and they are so comftable and roomy as well and it has not caused us no problems at all, but it all depends on your choice of layout and spec. all the best in your search.
Hi, We made the move from pathfinder to caraven six months ago and had the same find of choices. There are lots of vans with "front to rear" fixed beds and side bathrooms and one or two like the challenger 550 that have the bed across the back. We decided that gave us more space. Then we looked at TD layouts and that gave us the choice of using the rear bed made up at home for when there is just the two of us but a 5 berth if some of our kids and grand kids feel like joining us. We opted for the Sprite Major 5 because of the price we got it for in Oct. but decided that the Swift group vans had the nicest fittings etc.
So don't rush look at as many as you can and good luck.
Anybody know anything negative on the Swift Charisma 550? We've been told the current Abbey product, appears to have flimsy cupboard doors, so we would be wary there. Does anyone have experience of damp in the bedroom from steam in the shower cubicle of a fixed bed caravan?
Hi Michael, well our trip to Austria has finally come around, we leave on Saturday. Staying in St Wolfgang again. What is it like over there at the mo? Seems to be lots of the white stuff around!! Have you had some good trips this winter so far?
If I was able to have a new van I would go for the Bailey senator wyoming as it has a fixed bed and a proper bathroom and changing area, all this means it is a twin axle. The indiana is nice, it is single axel, not so long but it has the shower/ toilet affair which I don't like.
Hi we love our Eldiss but it is a twin axle, we have a fixed bed and a good size shower with glass folding doors, on the opposite side is the seperate loo, and we could easily seat 6 in the lounge, but we love to use it as a couple just chilling out and watching TV etc, we have just got back Tonight from Cambs and our Son joined us for a spot of fishing, what is nice is the door from the lounge slides across giving access to loo and shower and then another one from bedroom, making like a tiny corridoor in the middle or dressing room in a morning, with lots of privacy.
------------- 'A motorhome is for life, not just for Summer'
HI Briarose, the domestic idyll you describe is lovely. However, I'm sure you will understand when I tell you that while financial contingencies do not put us on the street, they do mean we will be looking at a single axle. we are probably in the market for something around a 550/540 fixed bed caravan with a decentish shower and power points. On the subject of which, is it silly to ask to get a 12v power point ? - my leccy blanket and a couple of other things run off same. Also, our folding camper came with an external socket - in th awning - are they difficult to fit?
I`ve got the Elddis Crusader Aurora which is the same layout as the 540. We bought it new and picked it up just before christmas and we think it`s fantastic and we think the quality is second to none that`s why we went for that van but obviously that`s our opinion and everyone has their own likes and dislikes.
I just asked hubby re the 12v power point and the socket outside and he said yes it does have a socket outside but not a 12v power point.
We have the elddis avante 534 and we love it. The two front setees are long enough to be single beds and we find the double bed very comfy. Just come back from Clumber park and one night we slept 12 hours! all that fresh air and a comfy bed bliss!!. I really think the Bailey Pageant Bordeaux is very good value for money and having seen it again at the show I haven't changed my mind! They are also doing another version this time with the bed on the opposite side ( like the indiana) and it looks a lovely open van. Quite happy with ours though so I vote for Elddis or Bailey.
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Topic: Which would you choose?
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