Most manufacturers produce 3 distinct models - entry, mid-range and luxury. I think one of the cheapest current entry-level UK ranges is Bailey's Discovery range. Bailey Rangers are pretty keenly priced too.
Other popular low-budget vans to consider might be Adria Altea, Lunar Chateau, Caravelair, Cristall, Sprite etc,.
- When looking at vans, some external features which may help you quickly identify an entry-level van are single-piece front windows, windowless-doors, stipple-patterned exterior panels, non-GRP front/back panels, hitches without incorporated stabilisers etc,.
Hope this helps! It might all be non-sense, but gets rid of your 'blue face' icon!!!
Have a look at the Bailey Ranger range - we've just ordered one after some years in a tent. They're good value for money, and you get all the essentials and plenty more. They're also very light which may be important to you, depending on what car you have.
It all looked very bewildering to us when we started looking for a caravan. My advice is first of all, find out what weight your car can tow - this may rule out 90% of caravans on the market anyway - it did for us, then decide whether you're likely to stay at sites which don't have toilet or shower facilities, so do you need a big end washroom. We decided we might well want to do this, so opted for an end washroom.
The dealer we went to was very knowledgeable and helpful - Couplands in Louth - not a million miles from you - I would recommend chatting to a good dealer to start with as well, to get an idea of what's around.
cheers have been looking at the first reply some good ones in there to view but i'm still unsure whether new(well 2-3yrs old new to us) or old.
are car can tow 1500kg so there are quite a few out there to view but this wont be till the new year and it will take me that long to decide and pay for it.lol.
Whats the best units second hand anything say from 1996 upwards am very unsure on these but we would like shower and hopefully a fixed bed and 4 berths.
We have a Bailey Ranger, we did get a new one but looked at one a year old previously, it was only saving us about £500 in the end so we went for the new one with the 3 year/6 year warranty. There are some good bargains about though. The Discovery is the 1st range in Baileys and they reckon Rangers are the best value for money range. We spent years and years in a tent and now love our caravan. We don't have fixed double but we have fixed bunks one end (dont need to go in and make bed for kids).
We have ordered a Bailey Ranger after much looking around. What made us decide was the great value for money and long warranties. We like Jo have gone for the 550/6 so the kids have their fixed bunks. Low towing weights as well. Have to wait until January for delivery.
The Bailey Discovery is cheaper still but I feel it was worth paying a little extra for a lot better spec with the Ranger.
Hi, We have just upgraded from a trailer tent to a caravan and spent months deliberating which to buy, new basic level entry or 2nd hand. We took the advice of many of the good people on this site and shopped around, visiting loads of caravan dealers looking at all the different layouts etc. We also looked on ebay hoping to get a bargain but were worried about buying a ringer.
We eventually decided to buy 2nd hand from a dealer. We couldn't afford the new caravan with all the extras we wanted so we compromised. We got a 2003 Sterling Europa 520 with 12 months warranty, loads of extras (which you would have to pay for if you bought new) and an awning thrown in.
Have used it once and can't wait to go again. Roll on Bonfire Night.
Sarah-Jane & Jason, are you following the UKCS trend of upgrading too? But that folding camper of yours is just so stunning! You'll certainly have no problems selling it.
why thanks DandD we want to go all year round in all sorts of weather so we think a tin tent is the next stage up.wont be up for sale until 3rd jan 2007 at least after new year meet.
Nice to see you are thinking of following me from fc to tin tent i like you enjoyed the life so much wanted to do it all year so after returning from our summer holiday we went out for a new van and decided for us that the bailey was best but then had to decide on which model at least the wife had to and in the end we opted for the bailey pagent provance and have allready been away in it three times and cant say how happy we are with it.
Also they have just brought out a series 6 model so if you wait untill jan as u say you might get yourself a bargin on a new van. All i would say is take your time and get the right van for you lot as we all seem to like different set ups and things.
Well best of luck and might see you sitting toasting your toes in your new van some day
hi i would say bailey,then i would im biased,we have the 500/5 and love it.it must be comfortable our two and half year old grandson sleeps 10 to 11 hours a night at the back.www.bailey-caravans.co.uk
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
I'm also looking at older vans to i want to sell our fc and really not put to much to a new van so the baileys look good and very affordable and have been looking at the price from old vans and new and to be honest the price difference is criminal so as you say Gerry we will take our time and make sure its the one for us as it will have to last as i am a tight buger.lol.
Thanks for al your help on this is sending me mad.lol.
Don't forget the non-UK built caravans. We started with a little Freedom caravan. We bought it in 2001 for £2,000 and sold it earlier this year for £1,500 - remarkably good value!
It's worth buying a copy of a magazine like Caravan to get some ideas, if you're thinking about new 'vans. They list all the prices, layouts, etc. in the back. You can then ask others on the forum what they think!
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Topic: best budget caravans
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