Advice Please Re Caravan

[leevis]

Hi All
About a year ago i was about to purchase a reasonably new caravan 2 berth. I can't remember what make it was but it was about 9K as it was nearly new. Sadly i lost my job just before i was about to pay for it so luckily we managed to get out of it before we purchased it.
Anyway, i am back in work again but don't have the cash-flow i did before so i need to look at this from a different angle.
What i would like to do is purchase and older (probably much older) and then do it up as best i can and do it that way. In essence I would like to change the toilet and shower and oven.
The layout i want is for a 2 berth (maybe 3) with a toilet and shower (separate) at the rear of the van.
There are 5 of us but that will reduce in time and some of us will sleep in the awning in pods if possible.
The other slight snag to this equation is that i have a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso 1.6Hdi which can't pull a great deal hence the 2 berth option.
I noticed some 2 berths (old) for around the £1k-£2K mark which is about my limit, i don't mind spending the hours replacing/mending bits.
Possible??
Lee

 

[leevis]

Just looked through some paperwork and the one we almost bought was a Sprite Alpine 2 but i can't seem to find any with the rear bathroom with proper shower cubicle (is this a rarity?) If not, anyone know what other makes there are with this

 

[Gagakev]

Hi Leevis, first of I would look at your tow vehicle, you say there are five of you so the car will be fully loaded and the payload on the caravan will have to be looked at with all the things you will have to take for five people, it may be possible but would imagine it will be very close or even over,
On the sleeping arrangement you could try and source a second hand awning which you can attach an annexe to, that will give you more space, you could also look at a small tent?
Think the end bathrooms on older vans may be quite hard to find, but take your time and sure there will be one out there somewhere for you, good luck.
Also why do you want to change the toilet, shower and oven?

 

[Raywood]

Hi Leevis, I have to agree that the towcar with five in may simply not powerful enough for towing anything but the lightest caravan. You do need to check out this. The awning weight will have to be taken into account when calculating what towing limit you have left.
Altering the layout may be a problem as the furniture is often fastened to the wall and forms part of the structure of the van. Remove or move things and you could weaken the caravan.
I would not want to suggest any major change to the caravan without expert advice.

 

[leevis]

Hi All
I believe that the MTPLM for my vehicle is a paltry 1180kg which i why we are looking for a 2 berth as opposed to something larger. In the past we have towed a trailer laden with all the camping bits (very large tent, poles etc),

On the toilet, shower and oven, its a wife cleanliness thing and part of the deal to get one.

At this stage i am looking for caravans that fit the bill.

1) Something that the vehicle can pull
2) Something with a rear bathroom with separate shower cubicle
3) Anything 2 berth and above

Lee

 

[Parksy]

With such a low towing weight available you might have to think outside the box a wee bit to get started for an affordable price while avoiding a rotting money pit on wheels. Have you considered a trailer tent or perhaps even a folding caravan?
You could cook on a Cadak which would be of course be brand new. Buy a brand new Porta Potti for use with a toilet tent, all available from caravan accessory stores or larger outlets such as Towsure
Most sites, especially those belonging to the two main clubs, have very clean shower blocks, so invest in some flip flops for your lady wife to wear in the shower and you could be sorted for well under £2K until finances improve.

 

[leevis]

We already have considered the trailer tent option which is a no go due to space issues ie would have to be left at front. The tent we currently have is very big and suits us fine, its just that she would like a caravan and not have to share facilities (i know what you are going to say but I am just investigating at the moment).
Firstly is is possible to get a caravan?
I know that my car cannot pull a great deal but i am sure that there must be something it can pull (2 berth) but which ones have the rear bathroom? I just need some ideas as to 1) whether it is possible and 2) what makes/models i should be looking for.

Worst case, we just continue camping but i would rather buy a caravan i can store out the front, replace all the bits that need replacing (as long as its not thousands) and use it whenever we can.

 

[Parksy]

Have a look for a Bailey Ranger 2 berth, these models had an end washroom and are within the towing capabilities of your vehicle.
There's one Here or Here but before you take the plunge have a browse through the Caravan Buyers Guide to find out what to look for and how to avoid being ripped off.
Good Luck

 

[Parksy]

P.S. don't forget to haggle on the price

 

[leevis]

Nice one
Many thanks for that
So far I have the following to search for
Bailey Ranger 2 Berth 460/2
Sprite Alpine 2
Abbey Expression 470/2
Elddis Explore 452

The rear bathroom thing means a large on at the back with a seperate toilet and shower (not wet room)

 

[Mel]

Hi leevis, on caravanfinder there is a five berth Abi Marauder MPTLM 1000kg. £1595. (for example). Doesn't have an end wash room but has a wetroom. Would give you more space. Is this sort of thing out of the question?
mel