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Thinking of buying a cheap caravan to see if i like caravanning. I currently have a tent.I'm not sure whether to buy a 2 birth, and buy a awning with an annex; or buy a 4 birth. Their are four of us, two adults and two children.

I'm not that keen in towing a large caravan. Thanks

I think with the children i would go for the 4 birth and an awning which is what we do when we have the grandchilren with us.

Margaret

I have just recently bought a lightweight 2 berth caravan to replace my tent. The main reason being that I was fed up with travelling for 2-3 hours and then spending another 2-3 hours erecting a tent. I usually go camping on my own so the first day was taken up with travelling and erecting. I am hoping a caravan will be a lot more convenient and take less time setting up once on site. I have discovered though, that there are a heck of a lot of other things to worry about with a caravan which I didn't have with a tent...weights, tyre pressures, storage costs, water containers and pumps, porta pottys... to name but a few.

In my case also, since I don't want the hassle of erecting a tent, I can't see the point in having a caravan and then having to erect an awning, so I won't be using one. However, although my caravan is fine for one or two people there wouldn't be a lot of room for a family even with an awning.

During my search I came across quite a few lightweight 4 berths with a reasonable amount of room. These were not much bigger or heavier than 2 berths but the second two berths were usually quite small bunk style beds, some with only a hammock type thing for the top bunk and only really suitable for very small children. I think, with a family, you may still find yourself using an awning even in a 4 berth.

So it all depends on your personal needs for now and the future...bearing in mind that your family will be growing rapidly (in age and size, not particularly numbers). If you buy a small 2 berth now you may wish in the not too distant future that you had bought a 4 berth, and if you buy a small 4 berth now, once you get used to towing, you may wish you had bought a larger one. You have to take everything into consideration.

Hi there,

I have to agree, you can never have too much space, a 4 berth would be my choice too.

If towing a larger caravan worries you slightly, then there are plenty of smaller 4 berth caravans around, some the same size/weight as 2 berth 'vans.

All the best.

Thanks for the advice.

I have a 1.8 vauxhall zafira,would this be ok for a lightish 4 birth?

 Looked up a new 1.8 vauxhall zafira and says 1468kg kerbweight . But check your individual car in case it is older and a different kerbweight .

http://www.carpages.co.uk/guide/vauxhall/vauxhall-zafira-design-1.8i-16v-5dr.asp

 On the 85% advisory towing rule that would mean a laden caravan weight(mtplm :maximum technically permissable laden mass)of 1247kg or under to tow .However on that link it says that new zafira has a towing limit of 1200kg which is near 85%.

for what's it worth..... as I only bought my caravan yesterday,  but have owned motorhomes for a few years. I found that what happens with caravans also happens with motorhomes when they go up for sale.

...the 2 berths can be a little 'sticky' to sell on and more often than not, the reason for sale is that "we need more beds". Most of the cheap up to £1,500 but well cared for, clean and dry 4 berths were sold in a matter of days (if not the same day!)  but some real sweet 2 berths I saw are still up for sale.

There is super clean 2 berth Baily Pagent 1991 up for sale near me (Wateringbury) for only £750..I was sooooo tempted, but I'm sure I really need the extra beds! It has been up for sale for 2 weeks now...that may say something?

cheers

Richard

I would agree.  Better to get one where you can all sleep in the van, it will extend your season.  We never had an awning in our first 10 years of caravanning.  We only got one after we had our present van 2 years.  If you want more space you could add an awning later, or just get a porch or pull-out type to shelter the doorway.

We only use our awning if we are staying at least 4 nights, otherwise we use a Fiamma pull-out type Caravanstore.

I'd go for a 4 berth because it'll give you a lot more useable space & will open up a very much wider market for you when it comes round to selling it on. Being able to make up the bed & still have somewhere to sit down has its benefits too.

BB  

hi may help........

Vauxhall Meriva v Vauxhall Zafira

4 berth. Just gives you flexibility when on the move, 2 night stops, move on etc and it extends the season.

Yep, unanimous, has to be a 4-berth. I've seen a few threads with people saying they'd bought a 2berth, only to find it was too cold for the kids to sleep in the awning, so were upgrading to a 4berth. Until recently we had an old 4 berth Swift Challenger and I HATED messing with the awning. Hence my new HUGE van, so I'll only have to use a porch awning to store wellies and stuff if the weather's dubious.

Mind you, ours is sited and my dad has a 2.8 fourtrak if we ever need to tow her. We'd have no chance with our 2.0tdi Zafira, seen loads of smaller vans being towed by Zafiras though.

Best learn from everyone else's mistakes!