Member Since: 18 Apr 2011
Location: Horsham
Posts: 242
Any caravan recommendations?
Hi all,
I have the strange urge to buy a caravan.
Unfortunately, I know very little about caravans.
Even worse .... there are lots of different caravans.
Has anybody got a good suggestion for a family of 4 with a sub £8000 budget?
Anything along the lines of "I've had a ????? for the last 4 yrs and it's been great" would be most welcome.
ta muchly
RichDespite the cost of living, it remains as popular as ever!
13th Jul 2011 6:12 pm
GSM
Member Since: 01 Feb 2009
Location: Central belt
Posts: 163
Hi Rich,
I have a 2004 Swift Eriskay (a dealer special, based on a Swift Charisma) and think it is an excellent caravan. It’s a 17ft, single axle, 4 berth ‘van that I bought in March of this year for a shade over £7500 from a dealer. As I was a first time buyer I was offered a “first time buyer†package including, electric hookup, fresh and waste water butts, step, battery, hitch lock, awning groundsheet (I got the awning from my folks) and a full gas bottle.
It is nice to tow (my current tow car is a Saab 9-5 2.2 diesel and it manages fine, can’t wait to try the Disco out!).
I find it comfortable and it’s finished quite well.
Happy hunting.
Gordon
13th Jul 2011 6:38 pm
npinks
Member Since: 31 Jan 2008
Location: Leeds
Posts: 1943
How old are the kids? as that's going to have a big bearing on what layout to look at
I have a Stirling Europa 540 which has permanent bunkbeds across the back, seats upfront which make into a double, side dinette which makes into bunk swell
No issues in 4 years of ownership
13th Jul 2011 6:40 pm
Frapp
Member Since: 19 Dec 2008
Location: Norff Zummerzet
Posts: 1653
I have in the past, owned two "L" shaped lounge models. Why I bought the second is beyond me
They give the impression of space but are most uncomfortable to use if you are sat along the front.
Just something to bear in mind Member of the carrot crank club
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13th Jul 2011 6:50 pm
Grunders
Member Since: 30 Apr 2011
Location: Manchester
Posts: 2302
I've had a couple of vans, the latest being a fixed bed at the rear and living area at the front which converted into either a double or 2 single beds, in my opinion this has been the best set up, less work and more comfy. The previous ones had living areas at both ends, with a bathroom in the middle, which was good but made the bathroom cramped, (the wheelarch was next to the wc, making it difficult when sitting down, if you know what i mean)
A couple of points to consider is the age of the kids and whether your ok making up and removing the beds morning and night... If the kids are young the rear bunks are good as the kids can be put to bed early, have their own beds and can be allowed to have a lie in with no detriment to the living area.
Best thing is have a tour of dealers, test each set up and make up your own mind,If it ain't broke... Take it apart anyway, how else you gonna find out how it works
13th Jul 2011 7:05 pm
roverdrive
Member Since: 08 Oct 2009
Location: Wirral
Posts: 181
The only tip I can offer is to stay away from Compass, terrible problems with damp when just out of warrenty, and had to have the back of the van re framed.
Now got a Bailey Unicorn instead.Mike - 47° 51' N 19° 43' W
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13th Jul 2011 7:44 pm
mzplcg
Member Since: 23 Jun 2009
Location: Gone
Posts: 1087
As above, choose the layout carefully. Think long and hard about what you actually need, what would be nice but not essential, and also anything which is gonna really pee you off. This bit is ultra important cos it's expensive to change if you get it wrong.
Examples would be:
How large are you? If you're like me, 5'10" and 16 stone, having a side bathroom makes showering awkward.
Will you actually use the van's bathroom? Some folks just use the site shower block.
What age are the kids? Will they be coming with you on a regular basis? Where will they sleep?
L shaped lounge. Erm, Don't. Looks cool but totally impractical.
Fixed beds are nice but take up loads of room during the day.
Once you know the layout you want/need you can begin to look for a suitable model. Get a copy of Practical Caravan - it has all the layouts in it. It also has listings of all the models in your chosen layout.
Choose the manufacturer you prefer. Go look at some and you'll see that each maker has their own style. Some will grate on you for sure. Personally I love the Coachman design which is very traditional, others think it's old and frumpy. Some people love the Bailey whereas I'm not keen on the upholstery. Once you're at this point, it is down to what you like.
Coachman build quality is legendary but then so is Swift. Bailey's were always well put together and 8 grand isn't going to get the newer Alu-Tech construction anyway. Explore Group (Elddis & Buccaneer mainly) build is a bit iffy in my experience, Had 2 of them and gave up. Bought a new Coachman last year and completely thrilled with it.
You might get lucky and find a Vanmaster but unlikely for 8 grand. An older version would be a Vanroyce. Nice if you can find a well looked after and damp free example.
2 makers no longer in business would be Avondale and Fleetwood. Both decent vans but not commanding a premium price any more. Check out a Fleetwood Heritage if you can find one. Lovely.
Last, if you can get to the show in October at the NEC it's well worth it. Lots on display so you can see them all in the flesh. Just don't take any form of payment - that way you can't get tempted.
Oh, and you're not limited in your choice - the D3 can pull any of them.
HTH. Dom.
13th Jul 2011 8:19 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10297
To be fair, no UK 'van manufacturer has great build quality. We've had two Lunar Delta's (not bad), a Swift and an Abbey (both built by Swift group). I think they are all built by peice rate workers, as they all appear to be thrown together.
As other have said, look, look and look some more. An awful lot are designed by folks who never have to use them (a great example is big wrap around corner cushions - look great but what the hell do you do with them when it comes time to make up beds). Another is overhead lockers you cant get anything useful (like clothes) in.
Take acount of kids (growth), bed layout, and day layout. We've stuck with twin lounge layouts, as it means we can have one end, the kids the other during the day - more spacious in day mode than fixedbed/bunk models, but not many about now, as everyone has gone fixed bed mad.
lots to consider I'm afraid.
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13th Jul 2011 8:35 pm
packingstrips
Member Since: 24 Mar 2010
Location: uk
Posts: 435
Why anyone would want a wobble box is behond me........They are a blight to the roads
I disagree packingstrips I'm a big fan of the wobble box I'm sorry your not.
Also I have a Caravan
13th Jul 2011 9:14 pm
packingstrips
Member Since: 24 Mar 2010
Location: uk
Posts: 435
Every year i go on holiday im passed by someone whos going far to fast with their wobble box, the things been pulled off the drive, not checked, tyre pressures at 8 psi.....20 miles down the road you see them reduced to component parts and contents strewn over all 3 carriageways. I stand by my original comment...blight to the roads.
13th Jul 2011 9:43 pm
Ent
Member Since: 12 Oct 2007
Location: In the cack
Posts: 6485
packingstrips wrote:
Why anyone would want a wobble box is behond me........They are a blight to the roads
Are you really this man?
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13th Jul 2011 9:49 pm
packingstrips
Member Since: 24 Mar 2010
Location: uk
Posts: 435
Lol...yeh thats me.
13th Jul 2011 9:52 pm
NicSymonds
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 519
We've had various layouts and when the kids were younger, we found that a lounge at each end was good, as they could hide themselves away down the other end of the van and leave us in peace. Eventually now they no longer come with us, we've changed to a Bailey Unicorn with a fixed bed so no making the bed every night. Unless you go for a fixed bed and get the kids to sleep in the awning
As said, look and look again but go for the layout that suits you. When you look, take a damp meter with you.
13th Jul 2011 9:55 pm
zook69
Member Since: 18 Apr 2011
Location: Horsham
Posts: 242
all I can say is WOW .... thanks for all your great advice.
Our kids are 4 & 6. No chance of them lying in I'm afraid. In fact, they stay up late and wake up early !
I think it's time to get down to the caravan dealer and take a look. (whilst avoiding L shaped lounges, tight toilets and anything that wobbles)
It's funny, more than anything I'm looking forward to towing something again !Despite the cost of living, it remains as popular as ever!
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