Hello to all

[cat695]

I just thought I would pop by and say hello to you all, very much a newbie here (to both forum and caravaning), I've been obsorbing as much info as I can on buying a caravan (especially the 85% rule) from this site and have to say you guys have some great tips and sound advice, so I hope you dont mind as I continue to look for a 2/4 berth van I can pick your brains.

I have a 07 Volvo S40 2.0D so I'm hoping I have a decent enough tow car....Towing experience is pretty vast since I've been in the Army for the past 20 years (you wouldn't believe some of the things I've towed and where I'd towed them hehe) so to me towing is not an issue (but always willing to gain more experience).

I think my main concern is buying the right van.... quality/size (only two of us) and basically not being ripped off is my main concern (hence why I think I'm sticking with a dealer for piece of mind) I have about 7k to spend and maybe even stretch to more but would have to be very special for that.

While I can handle maintenace things (I'm not scared of getting my hands dirty) it seems damp is a biggish issue with vans? I'm heading down to chichester caravans in erm chichester today to have a nosey there (so far been to Salisbury vans-seems a little expensive and chichester vans in winchester-nothing really that caught my eye) and maybe head to wimborne in Dorset tomorrow to look at some more.....any further ideas where to head would be great (I have a couple of weeks off work)
Anyway I look forward to getting to know you guys and picking your brains as and when (and maybe offering some advice I have experience with)
again Thanks
Paul

 

[Soozeeg]

Hello Paul and welcome. The main thing I would suggest is to buy a 4 berth, not a 2 berth, even if there are only the two of you. So much more space in a 4 berth, and if one wants to go to bed and the other doesn't (it does happen, you know ;o) lol), then you've/they've still got somewhere to sit in a 4 berth. Personally, I'd always go for a fixed bed as well (we've had 4 vans, the last 2 were fixed beds) - it's so much easier not having to make/unmake the bed every day, especially if you've had a drink or 6 and just want to fall down.....erm, not that this ever happens to me, of course! And get an awning - dealers might throw in an awning, haggle! Virtually doubles your living space. Yes, damp is a big issue - you could get the dealer to do a damp test in front of you, if you're worried about it. Enjoy your search, look at loads and loads of vans, work out what your priorities are (Living space? Kitchen work surfaces? If you intend to use van's own bathroom facilities, in which case separate shower cubicle is a must?). Hope this helps to begin with, others will come along with more ideas.

 

[Parksy]

Hiya Paul and welcome to the Practial Caravan forum.
Your starting point when choosing any caravan has to be the weight that you can legally and safely tow with your towing vehicle so have a look at 'Your Essential Guide to Matching Cars & Caravans' by clicking the Advice tab at the top of the forum page.

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/advice/your-essential-guide-to…-matching-cars-and-caravans
After that you will enjoy looking for a suitable layout within your safe weight range and budget.
When you find the ideal caravan that suits your needs it's time to inspect it with a view to avoiding later grief.

Buying from a reputable dealer will offer some protection against being ripped off and there are a couple of basic procedures which can help potential buyers to identify damp or water ingress problems in used caravans.
Water or moisture is always likely to enter a caravan via joints. The main joint which often has to cope with a fair amount of stress and strain would be along the line of the nearside awning rail so examine that first.
Is the mastic old, dry and cracked or lifting? Check other external joints before entering the caravan. Look at the overall condition of the caravan bodywork and look inside light lenses for signs of moisture - a dead giveaway! Check ABS end panels for minute cracks especially where changes of panel shape and joints are. Look carefully around grab handles and open and inspect lockers.
When entering the caravan if there is a musty smell this can be indicative of water ingress. It's easy to find positives when looking at caravans that you'd like to own but stay objective.
Look along the same joints from the inside.
Where walls, ceilings, floors and end panels join are potential water entry points so lift cushions and look under bed boxes, inside cupboards ect. If there is discolouration to the wallboard, black mould, soft spots or areas where bubbling has occured the chances are that damp is present.
Look behing curtains and lift window rubbers (especially on front windows) to check for signs of water ingress.
Places where there are water or waste pipes should be checked, not all water enters a caravan from the outside.
Springy and /or creaky floors are indicative of delamination, this is not terminal and is a diy fix but factor in the time and cost of repair when negotiating the price.
It's not in the interests of a reputable caravan dealer to rip you off so ensure that there is some guarantee and build a good relationship with the dealer including the service dept.(the salesman who seems to want to be your best mate before you buy will hardly acknowledge you after you've taken delivery) Remember that a well cared for and regularly serviced caravan is always a better buy than a flashier later model which shows signs of neglect.
Good Luck and let us know how you are getting on with your search.

 

[cat695]

Soozeeg- I know what your saying about size and as of today I will defo be going for a 4 berth HOWEVER! so far I've found all the fixed beds to be either to big for me to tow (thats sticking to the 85% rule) or they just dont have the living space I feel I would like, after all I believe most of my vanning time will be spent vertical rather than horizontal (unless the missus has other ideas lol). So I (well the chief) decided we would rather have a 4 berth with end wash room WITHOUT the fixed bed.....And being a man (well probably more of the soldier in me) I really dont care where or on what I sleep. But if i do find a fixed bed that we like then hell I'll take it.

Parksy-Thank you very much for that info its good to go in with better knowledge and armed with that I now feel a little better knowing about the damp issues vans can suffer with (and where to look)

I like to think I'm a dealers worst nightmare (especially car dealers) as I ask all the awkawrd questions and point out all the little bits that probably wouldn't bother most people.....hell its my cash so I want to go away happy.

as for the 85% rule I've been using this site http://www.whattowcar.com/basic_index.php to help me work it all out and hopefully its pretty accurate??

Is there any dealers I should avoid that your aware of??

again thank you both for the advice and tips and I will keep you updated on how things are going....wimborne tomorrow to see what they have.

Paul

 

[Parksy]

You've got the right idea with salesmen Paul, look beyond the smiling chatty matey stuff at what it is that you're parting with your wad for!

I feel that I ought to point out at this juncture that the 85% 'rule' has no basis in law and some (Prof. John L) would argue that it's an unnecessarily low figure arbitarily set by caravan organisations. There have been many long debates on this forum about the 85% 'rule' or 'advice' which is intended to protect those who are new to towing. I'm sure that an enquiry in the Towing Driving and Safety will bring more advice and different points of view about it.

The safest way to work out the weights if you are very close to the borderline towing limit for your vehicle is to use the weights in the vehicle manufacturers handbook and the dealers figures for the caravan. Some owners use public weighbridges to find the correct weights, online resources are a good guide but always make sure because there is no guarantee of accuracy on internet figures.

There will be both praise and condemnation of every single caravan dealer in existence if you looked hard enough on internet caravan forums and because forums such as this are strictly governed by the laws of libel and defamation specific complaints in conection with named dealers are not allowed.

Dealers where buyers have had positive experiences are allowed to be named however so ask in the 'Buyers Guide: Caravans' section if anybody knows of a good dealership within your search area.

The best thing to do is to find your ideal layout and you look to be some way toward that and then find the caravan that fulfills your criteria in every respect within your budget. Don't be ashamed to print off a checklist of things to look out for or to compile a list of pro's and con's between yourselves, you both need to like what you buy.
Include in the pro's and con's your feelings about the dealer who has 'your' caravan in stock and don't be too shy to ask them what happens if it all goes wrong on you.[ I somehow doubt that you will be too shy :0) ]

There are some great used models out there and the 'exhibition season' is almost upon us when owners of well cared for tourers look to trade in their pride and joy for next years model.

If you meet a dealer who you like and trust you could let him know what your requirements are, what you are willing to spend and ask him to contact you if he finds anything suitable. You would get first pick of the trade ins by doing this Paul.

Enjoy looking, it will be worth it in the end.

 

[cat695]

Again Parksy many thanks for your reply.....It looks like the one I'm going for (if I can find a decent one) is the Bailey Ranger 510/4 model (end washroom) We were in one today (after sitting in what seems like a million vans over the past few days) and found this one to be to our liking/lifestyle etc...not to new to break the bank but not to old to have my grans curtains as cushions covers and its bang on the 85% rule according to my (probably poor) maths

I have no need for huge size or mass luxury I would just like something that will let me chill in the evenings and watch crappy TV over a beer and an uncooked chicken leg, whether that be here in the good old UK or over in france (I have already planned a trip to normandy).

I will keep you posted

Paul

 

[Parksy]

The Bailey Ranger is a very good first time buyers caravan and there are plenty of good used examples about.
Some Bailey Rangers had problems with the front ABS panels which showed signs of cracking around the windows and high up near to the roof.
Check the curved ABS sections especially around the awning rail.
If you click on the Reviews tab at the top of the forum page then type Bailey Ranger into the search box and click on Go a wealth of previous posts will be shown, several pages worth.
Many contain complaints about water ingress, have a read but don't be put off by the catalogue of disaster. Learn from these old posts what to look out for from members who have owned various Bailey models.
Chilling with the beer and semi cooked chicken leg sounds about right Paul, good luck and enjoy!

 

[Zafiral]

Our first van was a 2006 Ranger Series 5 470/4 (shorter version of the 510/4) & for two people it is a good layout. We swapped ours (at Chichester Caravans in Uckfield!!) becasue our daughter was then 6 and a head kept peering through the curtains from the side dinette.

They are great starter vans with full ovens rather than the combi oven grill found on many rival vans.

 

[cat695]

WELL I DONE IT

Yep went looking today at Salisbury Caravans just for a nosey and walked away with a 1998 Elddis hurricane GT (Does that mean I can have GT on my car now lol)
http://www.salisburycaravans.co.uk/salesused2EB20115.htm is the link if you want a nosey.

Its in lovely nick (I ripped it apart looking for bad points) dry as a bone, it does need a little touching up on the inside (some door hinges need tighting or replacing) but other than that I love it.....was noseying round the more expensive ones but just loved the layout of this one and thought stuff it.....

The poor sales manager got hit with a million questions and I think now has to sell a kidney to recover what I got out of him lol but basically I got the caravan and ALL the basics I need to get me out and vanning... and it comes with a 12 month warranty!!

Its clean inside, very well looked after....no musky smells and no signs of water ingress anywhere (including in light clusters, even ripped up carpets and any hidden compartments I could find) cooker is nice and clean, as is the fridge (always a sign of a well kept house if you ask me).

Basics include-
6Kg Propane gas Bottle
85 Amp Batt/regulator
Hitch lock
towing mirrors
rollalong fresh/waste 40ltr/38ltr
25m hook up lead
toilet Kem
Step
Waste pipes

He was going to sell me a used once awning for 350 quid but I reckon I could get one cheaper else where (size 870)

Roll on next sat when I can pick her up!!

Paul

 

[Parksy]

Congratulations Paul, I hope that you enjoy many happy times away in your new caravan.
All that you have to do now is plan your maiden voyage, it's often best not to venture too far from home on the first ever shakedown trip in case you've forgotten something.
Well done with the accessories, you've saved yourself a packet there.
I bought a brand new Outdoor Revolution Compactlite 250 lightweight porch awning off Fleabay for £120 this afternoon so there are bargains to be had.

 

[cat695]

Thank you Parksy

Well I've already got planned a trip to one of the local van sites about 5 miles away from me for the weekend to test everything out and get use to putting things up etc (I'm in Salisbury, infact about 3 miles from Amesbury).

over the next week I'll get out and start picking up some stuff for it.....maybe a 40inch TV lol only joking.