Andy Foster
Member Since: 27 Dec 2009
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6551
  
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After visiting the NEC show we have decided to buy a caravan so have a few questions. We've narrowed it down to 2 berth as its only me and SWMBO, end washroom, Swift, Sterling or Bailey. Buget looks like will get us a 2008 model. So questions are.
1. Any dealer recommendations in the north west.
2. Storage locations Liverpool (won't go on the drive).
3. What to look out for when buying.
Going to look around in a couple of weeks so advice very welcome..
Cheers
Andy
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 25th Oct 2012 7:58 pm |
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MHP
Member Since: 31 Dec 2011
Location: lydd
Posts: 2776
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my parents get most of out caravan from campebels,presten. They come up with amazing deals but there services is rubush, here is a link to there site http://www.campbells.ltd.uk/index.html
 But what make you go for is all down to personal prefrence 
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| 25th Oct 2012 8:07 pm |
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THUB
Member Since: 10 Dec 2005
Location: West Berkshire.
Posts: 717
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As already said it is down to personal choice. If going for second hand make sure everything works. Check that you and SWMBO fit on the beds. Some caravans have different sized beds that look identical Test it your self. If possible get a damp check done while you are watching or a written warranty as to lack of damp. Most modern caravans sit on minimum rated tyres. Check that the fitted tyres can carry the specified load, preferably with some surplus. Check the date of manaufacture of the tyres. A 2008 van may well have tyres dated well before 2008. 6 years is generally regarded as the maxiumm "safe" life. Ideally a full service history. Many insurance companies require annual checks.
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| 25th Oct 2012 8:17 pm |
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Andy Foster
Member Since: 27 Dec 2009
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6551
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Campbell's defiantly on the list along with Stewart Longtons. Also been looking at Glossop caravans.
Trading up from camping so may have a nice Outwell setup for sale soon 
Andy
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| 25th Oct 2012 8:22 pm |
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MHP
Member Since: 31 Dec 2011
Location: lydd
Posts: 2776
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not sure what Glosseps are like as only ever been with the pearents to cambles! hope you find what you want chap
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| 25th Oct 2012 8:26 pm |
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Andy Foster
Member Since: 27 Dec 2009
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6551
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Russell's son wrote:not sure what Glosseps are like as only ever been with the pearents to cambles! hope you find what you want chap
Cheers.
Looked at that many now can't remember where they all are.
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| 25th Oct 2012 8:33 pm |
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MHP
Member Since: 31 Dec 2011
Location: lydd
Posts: 2776
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There wel to many to choice, i relly like the Inos cravan, it so big and very very nice well i would expect it to be at £36,000 
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| 25th Oct 2012 8:42 pm |
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hughesy
Member Since: 30 Sep 2012
Location: manchester
Posts: 127
 
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I have just bought from Glossop caravans this year , got a brilliant starter kit , awning and a 15 month warranty.
The starter kit is a must for new caravanners, i also got a motor mover very helpfull for me as i have a long narrow drive, the service from glossop caravans was excellent (salesman called john very polite and honest) and they also have a huge workshop where you can see all the caravans being worked on, and their service centre is also top notch.
When i picked the caravan up it was being washed as i arrived i was the given a full demo and i was off, they also have an excellent caravan shop full of everything you could possibly need.
Me and swmbo spent about 7 hours choosing our first caravan and enjoyed alot.
When i had got my van home i noticed a 20mm crack in the corner rear bumper so i phoned glossop just to see what they would say and they offerd to pick up the van repair/replace corner peice and then drop off my van back at home
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| 25th Oct 2012 8:45 pm |
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Madrunner
Member Since: 23 Oct 2011
Location: Dorset
Posts: 391
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One piece of advice is to crawl all over it - use you nose to smell out damp, poke your fingers in all the lockers.
I would personally find a local dealer - if you do have any issues with a used caravan you can take it back to get it fixed. You'll struggle to get another dealer to carry out warranty work otherwise. Dealers can be your best friend if things go wrong.
Make sure you get everything thrown in as you have no part ex. Haggle, haggle then haggle some more.
If there is any doubt - walk away.
Good luck ! 2013 Evoque
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| 25th Oct 2012 8:47 pm |
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Andy Foster
Member Since: 27 Dec 2009
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 6551
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Russell's son wrote: There wel to many to choice, i relly like the Inos cravan, it so big and very very nice well i would expect it to be at £36,000
For that kind of money I would have to sell the D3 and pull it myself
Looking forward to it. Do people still caravan in the winter cos when we get it we will want to go and christen it straight away, so to speak.
Just going to head back to Glossop's web site. What did you get in the starter pack if you don't mind me asking hughesy.
Also is now a good time to buy.
Thanks so far
Andy
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| 25th Oct 2012 9:06 pm |
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Madrunner
Member Since: 23 Oct 2011
Location: Dorset
Posts: 391
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Caravan all year round. Winters great, toasty inside, freezing out, sites are empty.
Great time to buy - NEC show just finished so dealers will be quiet heading into winter.
First Xmas we went away we had to dig our way onto the pitch through the snow. Epic. 2013 Evoque
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| 25th Oct 2012 9:11 pm |
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allforus
Member Since: 20 Mar 2010
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 492
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Had some bad experience with glossops but we wont go into that got my next to last van from reeds at blackburn they where very helpful and service was good bought a hobby premium now and the dealer for them has been very good.
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| 26th Oct 2012 12:41 pm |
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BBDisco3
Member Since: 23 Nov 2008
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3640
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Andy
As madrunner has said - well worth buying local as it can be a drag (excuse the pun!) having to take the van long distance for warranty work.
Spend as long as you can inside the van - try the seats for comfort and views, work out where things will go, not forgetting you can take away just as much if you have a large van or small.
Look and smell for damp and take more notice in the top corners, and where roof meets the sides and sides meet back and front, and all the door, windows and roof vents. There should be no spring or soft feel to the floor. Maker sure there are no gaps between the wall units and the walls which can show signs of movement in the frame of the van.
Some small marks on the exterior can be covered with a suitable reflector if in the right location.
Also worth nothing before you buy is that many insurers will not cover the "overseas" vans like Adria etc and as you can't store at home, check out the proposed storage location with Insurers before you buy a caravan.
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| 26th Oct 2012 1:44 pm |
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M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8072
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allforus wrote:"...................bought a hobby premium now and the dealer for them has been very good.
Hobby unbeatable and you can live in it in winter with no fear of it freezing up, not like a lot of UK made 'vans and you can walk on the roof  Hobby are like Land Rovers once you've had one nothing else will do It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
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| 26th Oct 2012 6:15 pm |
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hughesy
Member Since: 30 Sep 2012
Location: manchester
Posts: 127
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In our starter pack we got the 40ltr aquaroll,waste water collector on wheels,pump hose and filter,toilet fluids one for collector and one for cistern, small water carrier, and the flexi waste pipe .
Our van came with the option to use an internal cold water tanks so it doesnt freeze up in winter, and its just a matter of flicking a switch to swap between the internal and external, i think most vans will have these as its a very good idea.
I found the starter pack very good as i didnt have a clue what i needed.
You will really enjoy the shops at glossop as they have a full awning section with many displays
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| 26th Oct 2012 7:26 pm |
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