1st ever caravan!!

[Bungee]

Hi all,

I am hoping you can advise on the purchae of my 1st caravan, the problem being if I get this wrong SWMBO will make my life a living hell!

I am on a tight budget, working on the principle we will give it a year or so and if we still enjoy caraavaning will upgrade later, so with 3K to blow any ideas?.

I have seen an Avondale Leda Cheviot, 4 berth, which seems to tick all the boxes (I have a wife & 2-3 kids to please) owner says it had damp when he got it but he has repaired it!.

Cheers all

 

[LMH]

Hi Bungee

I think you are doing the right thing by looking for an older van to begin with and then if you are still into caravanning after a year or so, upgrading.

I can't comment on the Avondale Leda Cheviot as I don't know anything about them but a couple of tips, think about which layout might suit you best. Whether the kids can sleep in the awning. Whether you need an oven.

Personally, I would take anything a seller says with a pinch of salt. Maybe he has cured the damp, but I'd always err on the side of caution. Older vans will probably have some damp and if you are a reasonably competent DIYer you may be able to deal with it yourself.

Do you know someone who has a knowledge of caravans who you could take along to view and offer a bit of advice on potential caravans?

Have you read up on towing limits, kerbweights etc? Are you eligible to tow re the new towing laws?

Do you know the principles of how things work in a caravan 12v and electrics etc? Do you know that you should use commercial tyres and not car tyres, leisure battery and not car battery for the caravan.

Sorry if I am stating the obvious, but the Caravan Club site has useful leaflets available to download.

There's plenty of people on here who will be able to advise you.

Good luck.

Lisa

 

[Bungee]

Hi Bungee

I think you are doing the right thing by looking for an older van to begin with and then if you are still into caravanning after a year or so, upgrading.

I can't comment on the Avondale Leda Cheviot as I don't know anything about them but a couple of tips, think about which layout might suit you best. Whether the kids can sleep in the awning. Whether you need an oven.

Personally, I would take anything a seller says with a pinch of salt. Maybe he has cured the damp, but I'd always err on the side of caution. Older vans will probably have some damp and if you are a reasonably competent DIYer you may be able to deal with it yourself.

Do you know someone who has a knowledge of caravans who you could take along to view and offer a bit of advice on potential caravans?

Have you read up on towing limits, kerbweights etc? Are you eligible to tow re the new towing laws?

Do you know the principles of how things work in a caravan 12v and electrics etc? Do you know that you should use commercial tyres and not car tyres, leisure battery and not car battery for the caravan.

Sorry if I am stating the obvious, but the Caravan Club site has useful leaflets available to download.

There's plenty of people on here who will be able to advise you.

Good luck.

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

many thanks for the speedy reply (I cant type that quickly, my wifes a total technophobe and the eldest daughter types in a strange language that only teenagers on MSN can understand!)

I will take your advice on all points especially about taking a friend to view any potential purchases.

Layout- I have this one under control, I need an end bed/diner with a side washroom (It wastes too much room having the washroom at the end). either a 4 or 5 birth, if all kids come the yougest 2 can share a bed.

Electrics - this is a biggie a I was rubbish at physics when I was younger, but I have a couple of friends who teach science at a secondary school so I am sure they can point me in the right direction. (and theres always this forum and you good folks)

Towing limits- am getting a Mondeo Deisel should tow most single axle tourers I think.

I will look on the caravan club site for more info as you suggested so once again many thanks

B

 

[LMH]

Hi Bungee

I think you are doing the right thing by looking for an older van to begin with and then if you are still into caravanning after a year or so, upgrading.

I can't comment on the Avondale Leda Cheviot as I don't know anything about them but a couple of tips, think about which layout might suit you best. Whether the kids can sleep in the awning. Whether you need an oven.

Personally, I would take anything a seller says with a pinch of salt. Maybe he has cured the damp, but I'd always err on the side of caution. Older vans will probably have some damp and if you are a reasonably competent DIYer you may be able to deal with it yourself.

Do you know someone who has a knowledge of caravans who you could take along to view and offer a bit of advice on potential caravans?

Have you read up on towing limits, kerbweights etc? Are you eligible to tow re the new towing laws?

Do you know the principles of how things work in a caravan 12v and electrics etc? Do you know that you should use commercial tyres and not car tyres, leisure battery and not car battery for the caravan.

Sorry if I am stating the obvious, but the Caravan Club site has useful leaflets available to download.

There's plenty of people on here who will be able to advise you.

Good luck.

Lisa

Sounds like you have it all worked out.

Don't worry about getting too deep into electrics, as I say, if you look on the Caravan Club website, most things are explained on there.

One tip, I bought a brand new awning last year which was quite expensive and I wish now in hindsight I'd gone for one of those wider (or is it deeper) awnings which have recently come onto the market, particularly if you have kids. I think they might be Orion? 3M wide. I cannot vouch for their quality but if they are good, the extra space would have been really useful for us. Maybe that might be another question for you to raise.

You won't be disappointed with the Mondeo.

Lisa