Hi Everyone

[davidjwest]

Hi, total noob when it comes to caravanning so hopefully I can get some good tips.

We are looking to buy a 4 berth probably in the spring ready for the summer season, any advice is welcome. Only problem we have is it's hard for us to get away as we are full time carers for my mum, so for now we've decided to keep the budget low for the caravan as not sure how much we will be able to use it, so just £4k for this at the moment. If we do use it a fair bit we will probably get something better in a year or two.

Are there any makes that are recommended? Is a fixed bed better than one you have to make up?

I have decided on a tow car, probably going for the Hyundai Santa Fe, but happy to be persuaded otherwise if there are better options. Budget for this is around £6k but I could get a small loan to push that up if need be.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[otherclive]

Within your budget you need to look at a caravans material condition. Has it been well looked after and are there any recent service sheets. When did it last have a damp check. If not within 6 months commission your own. Do all systems work a BG d how old are the tyres. Beyond four years you could be looking at new ones as you have. No idea how long it’s been standing. If you are not likely to use it frequently then my choice would be non fixed bed. Fir two people making up the lounge seats into a double is not a hardship.

Santa Fe had good reputation.

Good luck and welcome to the Forum.

 

[Andy Norfolk]

Welcome. Make sure you know the limitations of your tow car in terms of the caravan you buy. You don't want to end up with a caravan that's too heavy for your car to tow. Personally we prefer fixed beds. Good luck.

 

[Mel]

Welcome to the forum. Condition is more important than age and if buying privately it is well worth spending a bit of money on an independent inspection by a mobile caravan tech.
You can find a list on the Approved Workshop Scheme website.

Approved Touring Caravan & Motorhome Servicing in the UK

The Approved Workshop Scheme is the benchmark for motorhome and touring caravan servicing in the UK with fixed and mobile workshops nationwide.

www.approvedworkshops.co.uk

Good luck
Mel

 

[Buckman]

Welcome. Make sure you know the limitations of your tow car in terms of the caravan you buy. You don't want to end up with a caravan that's too heavy for your car to tow. Personally we prefer fixed beds. Good luck.

Good advice but if they are buying a Hyundai Santa Fe there should no be any issues. For4K the caravan will probably be single axle and light weight so a Hyundai Santa Fe is probably an overkill at present.

Depending on their current vehicle They may be better off spending a bit more money for a later model caravan?

 

[Beachball]

Hi davidjwest Welcome to the forum if you after a 4 berth you need to see if got any service history and it had damp check and what the condition of the caravan inside and out. if there any extras that are included.

 

[davidjwest]

Thanks, yes I know the Santa Fe is pretty "heavy duty" but we could use a big car as we have 6 children although most are in the process of leaving home at the moment.

Current cars are a Kia Rio 1.1 and a MG5 EV so neither suitable tow vehicles.

 

[Buckman]

Thanks, yes I know the Santa Fe is pretty "heavy duty" but we could use a big car as we have 6 children although most are in the process of leaving home at the moment.

Current cars are a Kia Rio 1.1 and a MG5 EV so neither suitable tow vehicles.

As mentioned for £4k it will be a very old caravan and probably have damp issues. Consider rather getting a loan against a newer caravan than the vehicle. Also finance on a caravan protects you should something go wrong.

Your choice and hopefully you will be able to make the right decision after reading various pieces o advice on this forum.

 

[davidjwest]

As mentioned for £4k it will be a very old caravan and probably have damp issues. Consider rather getting a loan against a newer caravan than the vehicle. Also finance on a caravan protects you should something go wrong.

Your choice and hopefully you will be able to make the right decision after reading various pieces o advice on this forum.

Thanks, how much do you think I would need to spend to get something that is likely to be less troublesome? Or what age bracket should I be looking at?

 

[Buckman]

Thanks, how much do you think I would need to spend to get something that is likely to be less troublesome? Or what age bracket should I be looking at?

As mentioned in post 6, service history and recent damp test are crucial when deciding. Will all six children be camping with you or only 2 - 3 etc. Have a look on this site for layouts. See https://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/caravans.html

 

[davidjwest]

As mentioned in post 6, service history and recent damp test are crucial when deciding. Will all six children be camping with you or only 2 - 3 etc. Have a look on this site for layouts. See https://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/caravans.html

No, usually just me and my wife and the youngest child (maybe one other) only. We may occasionally be taxi for the other 5 though.

 

[Beachball]

But if you paying cash on a caravan you could look at Autotrader ,preloved and gumtree but take someone with you who knows what to look for, but if you going the dealer way you will get some warranty good luck.

 

[toad a caravan]

I hope your successful on your choice.. there's only myself and the boss, it's a two berth caravan, we've bought an awning for this season the idea is to leave the bed made up,also the awning almost doubles available space and extra berths if inner tents added

 

[Scannyman]

Thanks, how much do you think I would need to spend to get something that is likely to be less troublesome? Or what age bracket should I be looking at?

Damp is a major issue with all caravans irrespective of age especially during the winter months. We have been caravanning for many years and there are several lost cost ways to greatly reduce these problems like making sure all outside panel seams and especially windows are properly (meticulously) sealed. Make sure locker boxes have adequate drainage (damp equipment etc), regularly check with damp meter all areas inside the van especially lower corners and record your readings for comparison to highlight any potential areas of concern and use dehumidifier (I use the disposable type purchased on Amazon and work very well - 5 in use through winter months) and I use three during the season spread throughout our van.
Keep on top of these simple steps and damp will not be an issue. I haven't seen damp for years!

Thanks, how much do you think I would need to spend to get something that is likely to be less troublesome? Or what age bracket should I be looking at?

 

[Scannyman]

As mentioned for £4k it will be a very old caravan and probably have damp issues. Consider rather getting a loan against a newer caravan than the vehicle. Also finance on a caravan protects you should something go wrong.

Your choice and hopefully you will be able to make the right decision after reading various pieces o advice on this forum.

Don't be put off with older vans! An older van well cared for is much better than a poorly maintained newer van. My van is a perfectly good 2004 Bailey Ranger with everything we need including shower. All electrics have been updated to LED and I owe nothing to anyone.

 

[toad a caravan]

Don't be put off with older vans! An older van well cared for is much better than a poorly maintained newer van. My van is a perfectly good 2004 Bailey Ranger with everything we need including shower. All electrics have been updated to LED and I owe nothing to anyone.

That's a young'un compared to my 92 abbey,mates got a 2004 ace,,no damp detected 🙂